Terrorism

Abstract

Terrorism is the systematic use of fear, to coerce societies or governments, utilized by a wide range of political constructs for promoting their objectives, political parties' nationalists and non-nationalists, of right and of left and as by corporations, religious groups, racist, colonialist, independence, revolutionaries, conservatives and ruling governments.

Abstractii

Introduction1

Terrorism and National Security1

Terrorism and Emergency Preparedness3

References6

Terrorism

Introduction

Terrorism as a tactic is a form of violence that differs from state terrorism by the fact that in the latter case the authors belong to governmental entities. It is also distinct from acts of war and war crimes that occurs in the absence of war. The existene of actors not belonging to the state in equipped conflict has resulted in controversy with respect to the implementation of war strategies. This paper aims to review the issues of national security and preparation in case of emergency, with regards to the increased international terrorism.

Terrorism and National Security

Since a long time, international terrorism has been regarded as a grave threat to both domestic and foreign security. A Commission report was released on July 19, 2004, in lieu of the 9/11 incident; it suggests to United States to make use of all the tools that it can avail, which entails the usage of diplomatic terms, cooperation across national boundaries, and productive engagement in allowing trade permits, concealed action, improvement in physical security measures, and enhancement of the military (Fitzgerald, 2007).

The recent developments in terrorism have given it a shape of a complete “network” of terrorists, which operates on an international level. Another recent drift has evolved its roots into the religious and ideological media. Extremist Islamic groups have used religion as a façade for threatening the strategic and political interests of the United States and its allies. Another development is noted to be the increase of mutual cooperation amongst various terrorist organizations working internationally, which involves training, equipment, and strategic advice.

A proactive development of mass destruction weapons follows the strengthening of international ties between terrorist networks. Iran has developed a nuclear program, and is also infamous for clandestinely carrying out a uranium enrichment program. It is also suspected that Al Qaeda is trying to acquire radiological, nuclear and chemical weapons. Thus, a proactive-strategic-cum-military preparation is required urgently.

For this purpose, the policy of the United States towards combating terrorism consists of an important military part, which has been seen in the Iraq war, Afghanistan operations, and the recently increased operations in Colombia and Pakistan.

Since terrorism is an international fact, policy makers face a daunting challenge regarding the maximization of international support and cooperation, with minimum possible leakage of state secrets and national interests. They are required to enhance the security measures without compromising civilian and economic rights. Policy makers are perplexed by the issue of minimizing the factors that incite terrorism, in the face of state-sponsored terrorist activities.

The Terrorist Attacks National Commission released its “9/11 Commission Report” on July 22, 2004, which was the final version. The President approved reforms for intelligence agencies and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, ...