Combating International Terrorism
Terrorism is associated with the killing and injuring of masses. Activities range from small scale to large scale with minimum to maximum destruction being experienced. The 9/11 terror attack in the U.S. attracted attention to terrorism crime. Terrorism, however, had existed long before the terror organizations such as Al Qaeda came into existence. The World War, for example, involved loss of lives on a massive scale. However, over the years, terrorism has taken different forms. In light of recent terror attacks globally, nations have come up with strategies for dealing with terrorist organizations. The killing of terrorist organization leaders such as Osama Bin Laden has, however, not stopped terrorism. Winning the struggle against a terrorist organization refers to incapacitation through killing or capturing the leader(s).
Killing or capture hampers terrorist group efforts hence reducing terror activities. In regards to winning against a terrorist organization, no nation has accomplished this fete. The win against Al Qaeda by killing Osama may have been deemed a success by the U.S. However; it has not stopped terror attacks or the emergence of new terrorist groups (Brooks, 2015). The U.S., which is a primary target of terrorism, has failed to deal with terrorism on a permanent level successfully. Subsequent bombings such as the Boston attack, for example, are evidence of short term success. Al Qaeda is still existent and associated with links at a global level that help further its agenda (Katzman, 2008). The fight against terrorism has thus not been realized at a worldwide scale.
Terrorist groups exist for the sole purpose of furthering war. In regards to this agenda, terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda, Al Shabaab, Isis, Boko Haram, and Islamic State have all realized their agenda in wreaking havoc on the U.S through the attack on U.S. citizens. It is, however, essential to note that lives have been lost by terrorist group members as well. Loss is an expected price that has to be paid for the greater ‘good’ of the terrorist ideologies. The Al Qaeda terrorist organization, for example, won its conflict against the U.S. in the 9/11 attack that destroyed lives, properties, and assets. The attacks in Tanzania and Kenya targeting the U.S. are equally testament of the wins by the group. It is important to note that the U.S. was considered the most powerful nation. Its security and defense protocol was equally regarded as top level. An infiltration such as the one propagated by the Al Qaeda was a huge blow. Not only in terms of loss and damage but to the security fabric of the nation. The terrorist group thus made a show of its high level of organization, coordination, and articulation of its terror activities. Over the years, the group has lost its popularity with the emergence of new terrorist organizations such as the ones mentioned earlier. However, it remains a ‘winner’ as far as terror against the U.S. is concerned.
Terrorism is an ideology which means that dealing with its impact takes more than combat strategies such as the one made by the U.S. (Sedney, 2015). It is no wonder that drone attacks have had little effect as far as dealing with terrorism is concerned. An increased intolerance towards U.S. ideologies has occasioned links between nations (“Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – FARC”, n.d.) hence the increase in terrorist organizations and activities over the years since 9/11. Political unrest and poverty play a role in terrorism. Illegal groups such as militia, for example, enlist the services of terrorist groups to further their agenda. Militias are predominantly political, with a focus on leadership ouster and territory take over. Such strife makes terrorist activities and, by extension, terrorist groups challenging to deal with successfully.