Understanding the War on Terror

The war on terror has been a long an arduous process with no sight in end. The tactic of using terror as a form of control for governments has been employed relentlessly over the last few centuries. Terrorism is like a wildfire we may not be able to stop it, but we can contain it. In this paper, using the three levels of analysis I will discuss the containment of terrorism and how the world can systematically begin to eradicate the driving forces of these terrorist groups. If we can accomplish this then the scale of terrorism on a global threat level will be drastically reduced. The three levels include, the international environment, where terrorism is used as a political tool and the consequences of such an environment. The state, what America can do as a target of terrorism, and the individual, what can the people do as targets of terrorism.

We begin with the international environment. The United State’s superiority over the years has drawn a lot of negative attention from less fortunate countries such as Iran and Syria that feel threatened by America’s rapid growth and seemingly endless wealth. These countries have turned to using terrorism as a political tool to redistribute the balance of power amongst the nations. The United Nations Security Council must recognize each country’s agenda. Iran wishes to increase their power and is using the threat of terrorism as leverage, and America is seeking justice. But they have to make it clear that whatever the intentions of countries such as Iraq and Iran may be; sponsoring terrorism will not be tolerated. It must emphasize on the fact that terrorism only has negative consequences and will lead to a divide in the nation.

Terrorism and acts of cultural genocide are not tolerated on the international level. These countries must be made to realize that providing terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Al-Qaeda with economic and political support could potentially cause “blowback”. The Terrorists will have enough training and resources to execute a possible coup. Should nations such as Iran realize that this could be true, then these organizations could possibly be dismembered, because, terrorism cannot survive if it becomes economically and politically self-determined.

On the State Level, The United States must be ready to go on the offensive and the defensive. And the war must be won both externally and internally. We begin with the battle against Al-Qaeda’s Anti-American propaganda. We must build stronger international relations, especially with Islamic countries, starting with less aggressive countries such as Indonesia or the UAE, to quash these outrageous accusations of America being a corrupt nation. We must also reestablish the America’s image, as a country to look up to, we have to rescue our own economic status to prove to the world once again that we are a country to look up to, and not one that is imploding.

In this war, we must refrain using conventional military tactics. The enemy is hidden behind race and religion. It has been far too costly trying to bring democracy to Iraq and Afghanistan and it is creating a lot of resentment from the Afghani and Iraqi public. This has created a “blowback” for us, as more citizens see us as invaders rather than liberators; this issue is leading to more anarchy and fueling the anti-American propaganda. We must employ deterrence tactics such as covert intervention, no fly zones, naval blockades and electronic warfare. Terrorists rely heavily on the media for their message to reach a massive audience and to spread further terror in the hearts of people around the world. No fly zones and naval blockades will deal an economic blow to any states supporting Terrorist organizations, but if their media is intercepted then their message will suffer.

Border security would be too costly and inefficient; we also do not want to isolate ourselves from our direct neighbors. We can increase security at checkpoints to make them more thorough and effective. Many of the September 11th hijackers failed to be detained at airport security despite red flags being waved on their visas.

America must also use the targeted killing method to win this war; funds must be withdrawn from the pre-emptive attack on Iraq and focus on winning the small battles over the arch-terrorists who call the shots. We should be able to infiltrate the organizations using human intelligence in order to take down the arch terrorists and prevent attacks as well as disband any branches of terrorists that may reside in and outside of America. There have been reports of radical groups that have gathered within the United States, this would be a good place to test this theory, should the United States successfully infiltrate a radical group within the nation, then it is worth attempting to infiltrate one outside the nation. Defense of the nation is priority but getting the nation to join the fight in their everyday lives is another way we can win this war.

The state must start an anti-drug campaign, making sure to include the fact that buying illegal drugs is funding terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda. There are several possibilities in dealing with this problem legislatively such as legalizing drugs to create a monopoly on the market and restrict dealing with any overseas drug-traffickers. Importing foreign oil should be cut significantly as well. We can do our part by not being a customer to the countries who support terrorist organizations. This will also give us a chance to look to more environmentally friendly forms of energy production.

Lastly we come to the individual. The American people have been given a great responsibility. To protect ones own interests while at the same time protecting the interests of the country. For example if it is proven that Al-Qaeda uses its drug trade to fund its terrorist activities, then Americans must stop consuming those drugs. We also have to understand that sacrifices have to be made to our civil liberties in order to catch these criminals before they can do harm, so long as transparency is evident. Debates must be held as well as laws passed and people must vote on them.

Apart from being more pro-active in helping the government fight terrorism. Citizens should also keep their eyes and ears open for any suspicious activities that may be occurring in their neighborhood. Americans also have to be physically prepared for another attack on American soil. By being more aware of our surroundings, and organizing emergency protocols for you and your family to remain in contact during an emergency. As well as creating a safe room that is stocked with supplies to keep you nourished. Most important of all, we cannot show fear. The right thing to do after the 9/11 attacks was to continue going to work and taking public transport as well as domestic flights when they were reinstated, because there is no terrorism if no one is terrified.

In conclusion, we have seen from the three levels of analysis, how we can help win this war on terror. The international environment requires patience and communication in order to make it clear that support for terrorists who are threatening cultural genocide is unacceptable and action must be taken to prevent mass murder. It can also be proven that terrorism is nothing but a temporary solution with maximum risk of a “blowback” that can cause a coup from these growing Terrorist organizations. The State level where the government has to take many measure, such as using the judicial system, launch a preventative attack and increase security in immigration checks to ensure national security. Targeted killing is also an option to take out the arch-terrorists making the important decisions. Lastly, what the American people can do. By equipping yourself with an emergency response plan for you and your family that enables them to know exactly where to go in case of an emergency.