National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon United States. The 9/11 Commission Report - Essay Example

Submitted National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon United s. The 9/11 Commission Report. New York: W.W. Norton, 2004. The events that lead to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the measures adopted by the United States to prevent and combat the attack, and the steps to strengthen national security are discussed. Islam extremists have been launching various attacks in different parts of the world and the United States long before 9/11. As a response, the U.S. adopted anti-terrorism measures to monitor, intercept, and prevent future attacks.

These preventive measures, however, proved insufficient to counter the elaborate plan of al Qaeda leader Usama Bin Ladin that culminated in 9/11. Problems in command, communications, and improvised defense and emergency response served to aggravate the consequences of the attacks. Despite the many points of vulnerability in the terrorist plot and opportunities to disrupt it, no measures of the U.S. were able to prevent the attack. Failures in imagination, policy, capabilities, and management weakened the country’s national security and exposed it to potential threats.

In addition, the unsuccessful diplomacy with countries known to directly or indirectly support Bin Ladin such as Afghanistan and Pakistan, the limited military actions in combating terrorism, and the problems within the intelligence community served to further erode the nation’s defenses against terrorist attacks. A strategy comprised of three dimensions which include attacking terrorists and their organization, preventing the growth of Islamist terrorism, and preparing for future attacks is recommended.

The creation of a National Counterterrorism Center and the naming of a new National Intelligence Director are also proposed. Keywords: terrorism, national security, al Qaeda