Counterterrorism Policy: Al-Qaeda - Report Example

Counterterrorist Policy International and domestic terrorism has become a major concern globally today especially the USand its allies. This is because they are the major targets of the terrorist’s enemies. For instance in the recent decades, the US and its allies have been hit hard by terrorists. A case in point being the 11 September 2001 in which the US World Trade Centre was hit by a series of airplane hijacked by Al-Qaeda group of terrorists. Another terrorist attack in US that cannot pass unnoticed is the deadly bombing of Oklahoma City federal building in 1995 in which about 168 people lost their lives. Other US allies such as Germany, Kenya, Tanzania, UK and others have also been victims of attcks. Most of this terrorist attacks have generally been carried out by international terrorist especially the Al-Qaida terrorist groups. This paper will explore policies that can be used to deal with the terrorist threats caused by Al-Qaeda and its affiliates to the nation and its citizens. Al-Qaeda and its Affiliates Al-Qaeda is one of the world’s well-known international terrorist groups that has participated in many terrorist acts across the globe. Gunderson notes that it is a terrorist network that finances and commands the actions of Islamic fundamental groups in more than 60 countries (31). The group has in past been under the leadership of the late Osama Bin Laden until his death. It is currently headed by Al Zanawi an Egyptian national. The group has caused a lot of destruction to properties a part from killing many innocent citizens in the world. In fact, it is this group that was the mastermind of bombing of US World Trade Center in which many people lost their lives. The fateful event also led to many people and businesspersons losing properties worth millions of dollars. The group has also participated in bombing of many nations perceived to be US allies such as UK, Germany among others (Gunderson 31) The group usually carries out their mission in different forms. The most common method is the use of suicide bombers. Here they strategically plan for their activities and locate areas that are targeted. Following past incidences, it is common that the Al-Qaeda suicide bombers mainly target crowded places since most of their missions are directed towards killing many people and destroying properties. Other threats are, they tend to hijack planes, which they use to carry out attacks. This was evident during the September 2001 World Trade Center bombing in which Al-Qaeda terrorist group hijacked two American Boeing planes and used them to carry the attacks (The White House 1). Due to the threats caused by this terror group, as a member of Department formulating policies on counterterrorism, we have found it necessary to develop policies to abate the terrorist act of this group. In developing such policies, first it is always important to understand the behaviors of such groups in planning an attack. For instance, our research has shown that the group tends to live closer to areas where they carry out the attack. This is mainly to enable them familiarize with the area. In fact, before they carry out the attack, they tend to take long planning for the attack usually 6 months and over (Ozeren, Gunes and Al-Badayneh 15). Policy Upholding the nation’s value is the ultimate way of countering terrorist threats posed by al-Qaeda and its henchmen. It is for this reason that we encourage the nation to adhere to its core values such as fostering good governance, respecting human rights, respecting liberty and privacy, committing to security and being transparent and adhering to the rule of law. This involves bringing terrorist to justice and collaborating with other like-minded nations (The White House 1). Our first Policy is geared towards measure that would ensure that Al-Qaeda and its affiliates are defeated. To realize this, our strategy is that which ensures that internal security is beefed up. This is by ensuring that there is a homeland security whose work is to provide defense, both on air and land. This will prevent the Al-Qaeda from entering the nation’s territories in case they hijack a plane from another nation. The strategy will prevent a repeat of terrorist attack like the one committed by the group in 2001 in which plane hijacked were used to carry out an attack (The White House 1). This strategy is currently being adopted by US government and has proved fruitful since the September 11 attcks. Since the group tend to settle in a given area as they plan for an attack, it is important that citizen participation be given priority. As result, we consider it important that members of the public be encouraged to report any suspicious characters in their areas of residence. This can be made possible by establishing a public security report agency on antiterrorism. This would make it easier to seize the Al-Qaeda group easily than just using public security agency. This strategy is what might have led to the seizing of Osama Bin Laden and Fazul Abdala. The strategies also involve making information available to the public over the threats. This is by ensuring that early alerts are issued to the public over areas with threats of terrorist attacks. This will make it possible for citizens to be more alert and scare away terrorists (UN Action to Counter Terrorism 1). Since the group does not only target a single nation, this calls for partnership between the US and other nations with which it shares common values. For instance, the Al-Qaeda group has tended to target US citizens even in other nations and embassy. A case in point is the Al-Qaeda attack on American Embassy in Kenya and Tanzania. As a partnership, the country will have to cooperate in terms of sharing intelligence and joint training. This will help guard against Al-Qaeda operatives targeting US citizens in other nations. This form of partnership has helped the United State in defeating Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. This was made possible through its partnership with like-minded countries such as Turkey and Pakistan (The White House 1). Identifying a suicide bomber has proved to be one of the most difficult task for intelligence agencies. This is the reason as to why al-Qaeda militants sometimes penetrate and board vehicles and trains with the public after which they carry an attack. To be able to suppress and abate the act, it is important that the state security keep vigilance all the time. This is because, Al-Qaeda tend to strike anytime they see laxity on the side of security agency. With the advent in technology, it is important that public transport system, which is a major target of the suicide bombers, be fitted with security gargets at the entrance to be able to detect any bomb material (UN Action to Counter Terrorism 1). Cyber communication is another way by which the al-Qaeda group uses to perfect their work. This is because in the process of planning attacks, they tend to coordinate with their affiliates in the country of target. Top put this to a stop, it is important that as a nation, a cyber intelligent unit be established that controls an information flow in and out of the nation. This will help in identifying information that may cause security threat to the nation (Jones and Libicki 46). This strategy was developed by President George Bush’s administration and has since then proved beneficial. Al-Qaeda basically depends on financial support from donors based in Persian Gulf region and from other parts of the world where they carry out kidnapping and demand for ransom. This has been witnessed in Somalia with Al-Shabab wing of al-Qaeda. We consider that without financial support, the group will not be effective in any way. It is for this reason that we consider that denying the group their enabling means will helping stopping them from acting. This can be made possible by the nation collaborating with other nations in identifying Al-Qaeda operatives and stop their movements and supplies across all boarders (The White House 1). In conclusion, prevention of terrorism activities has become vital since September 2001 Terrorist attacks of World trade Center carried out by Al-Qaeda group. The group has also participated in other attacks mainly targeting its allies and US. As a member of department formulating policy on how to abate their operations, we have developed strategies aimed at doing away with the group. This includes strengthening internal security of the country, citizen participation, collaborating with other like-minded countries, security checks and denying the group access to financial avenues. Work Cited Gunderson, Gideon C. Terrorist Groups. Minnesota: ABDO & Daughters. 2003. Print. Jones, Seth G., & Libicki, Martin C. How terrorist groups end: lessons for countering Al Qaida. Viginia: Rand Corporation. 2008. Print. Ozeren, Suleyman, Gunes, Ismail & Al-Badayneh, Diab. Understanding Terrorism: Analysis of Sociological and Organizational Terrorist Behavior. New York: IOS Press. 2007. Print. The White House. National Strategy for Counterterrorism. Washington, 28 June 2011 Print. UN Action to Counter Terrorism. United Nations General Assembly adopts Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. N.d. 28 March 2012. Web. http://www.un.org/terrorism/strategy-counter-terrorism.shtml. Read More