Analysis of Homeland Security - Assignment Example

Analysis of Homeland SecuritySecurity has remained a major concern for most Americans since the 9/11 terrorist attacks that left more than 3,200 people dead (Michael, 2012). The attacks indeed acted as a wakeup call for the U.S. government that responded immediately by forming the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that America is protected both within and throughout its borders. There is no doubt that the strategy has worked so well in preventing international terrorists from attacking the U.S. However, America is not absolutely safe as new terrorists threats are fast emerging that pose a big threat to the U.S. homeland security.

Currently, security experts believe that some of the greatest security threats are the Americanization of terrorist groups and the home grown/lone wolf terrorists that are operating freely in the United States. Although security experts agree that the two are the greatest security threats to the country’s homeland security, opinion is still divided as to which of the two poses the greatest security threat to the United States homeland security. However, after conducting a thorough analysis of the operations of the Americanization of terrorist groups and the home grown terrorists over the past few years, it goes without doubt that the current greatest threat to the U.

S homeland security is the home grown/lone wolf terrorist groups. Firstly, the events that have happened in the recent past shows that the terrorist have changed their tactics to from plotting a large-scale attack to the home grown or lone wolf attack. With the growth of the internet, home grown extremists and sympathizers of the so called American enemies are increasingly becoming radicalized via the internet (Olsson, 2014; Gartenstein-Ross and Grossman, 2009). Some even travel to different countries where they are trained and come back to carry out attacks on their own without any assistance.

For instance, investigations have unearthed that the two brothers who carried the Boston Bomb attacks were radicalized through the internet by the Islamist propaganda. These were American citizens who had no any affiliation with the terror groups such as the Al-Qaeda (Zennie, 2014; Herrmann, 2014). The Boston Marathon attack clearly demonstrates that the biggest threat to the U.S. homeland security is the home grown/lone wolf terror groups and not the Americanization of terror groups as some experts conjecture.

The Boston Marathon resulted in the death of three people and left about 264 others wounded after detonating two grenades. To make matters worse, ISIS have increased propaganda campaign on the social media, which has seen a huge number of Westerners move to Iraq and Syria to support them in the fight (CNN, 2014). Additionally, ISIS has also advised its followers in America to carry out "lone offender" attacks in the United States in retaliation for its military attacks in Iraq and Syria. This implies that Americans can be attacked anytime by the radicalized youths who live among Americans without detection by the U.S. intelligence.

There are also quite a number of instance that have happened in Europe, which clearly demonstrate that home grown or lone wolf terrorism is increasingly becoming the biggest threat to the U.S. homeland security. In March 2012, Mohamed Merah managed to kill at least seven people in France (Pasztor, 2014). Although Merah had links with al-Qaeda terror group, he acted alone after choosing his target. A similar trend was observed when two Islamist converts namely Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale killed people using kitchen knives (Before its News Inc, 2014).

Although the two were affiliated to terror groups, they acted on the personal initiative. Therefore, there is no doubt that home grown/lone wolf terrorism is increasingly becoming the biggest threat to the U.S. homeland security. This is because Home grown/lone wolf offenders can easily infiltrate into airports or where people are gathered without detection, thereby carrying out terror using any means, including explosives, stabbing and even shooting.ReferencesBefore its News Inc. (2014). Homeland security warns: USA in danger ‘right now’ of homegrown, lone wolf terrorists–even more than ISIS! (Video). Retrieved from http://beforeitsnews.

com/prophecy/2014/09/homeland-security-warns-usa-in-danger-right-now-of-homegrown-lone-wolf-terrorists-even-more-than-isis-video-2464432.htmlCNN. (2014, Oct. 23). Lone wolf terror attacks greatest concern, expert says. CNN, p. 1.Gartenstein-Ross, D., & Grossman, L. (2009). Homegrown terrorists in the US and UK [electronic Resource]: An empirical examination of the radicalization process. Washington, D.C: Foundation for Defense of Democracies.Herrmann, J. (2014, Sept. 3). The West’s greatest threat is the ‘lone wolf’ terrorist, say security experts.

Newsweek, p. 3.Michael, G. (2012). Lone wolf terror and the rise of leaderless resistance. Nashville, TN: Vanderilt University Pres.Pasztor, A. (2014, Aug. 8). Counterterrorism official says homegrown 'lone wolf' is greatest airport terror threat. The Wall Street Journal, p. 2.Olsson, P. M. D. (2014). The making of a homegrown terrorist: Brainwashing rebels in search of a cause. New York, NY: ABC-CLIO.Zennie, M. (2014). Lone wolf terrorists could attack U.S. to retaliate for American airstrikes in Syria, FBI and Homeland Security warn.

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