America’s War on Terrorism
explanatory Essay
2454 words
America’s War on Terrorism
The world has been changed forever since the tragic attack on September 11, 2001. An observer described the atrocity by saying, "It just went 'bam,' like a bomb went off. It was like holy hell (CNN 1). " The new world will be different from what any American has known before. A new war has arisen, not against a foreign country or a major region of the world, but rather against a select group of people who have the capabilities to destroy the lives of so many. The war against terrorism which the United States is now forced to wage will not be an easily won battle. This war will not be fought solely on scattered battlefields in certain countries. It will instead permeate through every aspect of life as we know it. "The attack of September 11 will be the precipitating moment of a new kind of war that will define a new century. This war will be fought in shadows, and the adversary will continue to target the innocent and defenseless ("The Terrorism Research Center"). " The unconventional methods of terrorism make these terrorists the first formidable opponent the United States has faced in years, since the ending of the Cold War.
Due to its victory in the Cold War, the United States is now the last remaining superpower in the world, and along with that supremacy comes an inherent responsibility. The responsibility of a superpower can be interpreted in two distinctly different ways. One of these is for a country to become semi-isolationist. The other is the opposite, in the sense that it deals with a country imposing its authority on other countries, thus not being in any way isolationist. Both of theses have their benefits while at the same time, their disadvantages.
The first possible respon...
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...undamentalist terrorists, mainly the Al'Qa'ida, have for America and all that America stands for. Now that the Islamic fundamentalists have openly attacked America, the war on terrorism has arrived upon the world. The atrocities that the world will soon face will not be like any experienced before and the world will be forever changed after this war is complete. September 11th has forced America to face the hatred it has created for itself throughout the world, especially in the Middle East, for its unethical foreign policy tactics. America is once again tested to prove its dominance in the world, but will it pass the test of terrorism? Only the future holds the answer.
Works Cited
CNN (1), World Trade Center Survivors Describe 'Holy Hell'. http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/09/11/new.york.scene/.
"The Terrorism Research Center". http://www.terrorism.com/index.html
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the war against terrorism, which the united states is now forced to wage, will not be an easily won battle. it will permeate through every aspect of life as we know it.
- Explains that america has decided to take on this role as international police force by leading a war against terrorism. guerilla warfare is difficult to combat because of effective tactics, but it appears effortless to stop.
- Explains that the responsibility of a superpower can be interpreted in two different ways. the first is to allow all other nations to be autonomous and respect less developed nations' independence.
- Explains that terrorism is a fluid, ever-changing threat, responsive to countermeasures. america must show its dominance over the rest of the world.
Related
- analytical
- opinion
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- Counterterrorism and American Presence Overseasanalytical essayAfter September 11, 2001, terrorism took center stage in the debate among security studies, international relations, and foreign policy specialists over a grand strategy for the US in the post-cold war era. The characteristics of international terrorism emphasize the fact that counterterrorism will require strenuous efforts. In contrast to warfare and public order problems, governments engaged in the battle against terrorism have to deal with opponents who do not observe any rule or convention. Terrorists wage an asymmetrical war. They do not attack state organizations but society and particularly innocent citizens. Contrary to groups that put public order to the test, they avoid confrontation with the national institutions responsible for maintaining law and order. The United States of America is committed to emerging victorious in the war against terrorism. This commitment has been demonstrated through funding, the federal government has dedicated a lot of money to fighting terrorism; this money has been channeled through the Department of Homeland Security to advance the war against terrorism (Memon, 2009).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that counterterrorism requires strenuous efforts, and states that the united states of america is committed to emerging victorious in the war against terrorism.
- Explains that the united states is willing to use means previously considered politically unacceptable: intervention with ground forces to overthrow a regime actively supporting terrorist organizations. the creation of the department of homeland security marked the biggest reorganization in the us federal government
- Explains that the security apparatus within us has employed the tracking of intelligence in fighting terrorism. the intelligence information is critical in preventing a planned terrorist attack.
- Explains that the safeguarding of border security has made it possible to secure u.s borders against terrorism.
- Describes how the federal government responded to the september 11 attack by creating a transportation security administration to monitor aviation security and screen travelers and their luggage.
- Opines that prosecution and apprehending of terrorists is the most relied upon tool of counterterrorism domestically.
- Describes the options available for fighting terrorism: (1) using force or preemptive strikes; (2) relying on allies to strike terrorist groups; (3) containing the terrorist group to limit its effectiveness and encourage internal divisions;
- Explains the strategy of preemption, which aimed to destroy the enemy's capacity to attack in advance, not influence its will or calculus of decision.
- Argues that working with others would solve some of the problems the united states would have in crushing the adversary on its own, at least in the short term.
- Argues that the alternative to crushing al-qaeda completely is to try to contain it, transforming it from a grave strategic threat to dangerous nuisance, comparable to other terrorist groups around the world.
- Opines that u.s. counterterrorist efforts should be legitimate in the eyes of the international community. the war against iraq ignored the dissent of allies.
- Explains that jihadists loathe the united states, but they will not target america because they have other priorities. arab governments are ripe for diversion.
1376 wordsRead More - Meghan's rough draftanalytical essayFor the past fifty years or so, Americans have had the great fortune of living safely in a relatively peaceful world. That perspective changed the moment a commercial airplane slammed into the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11th. Terrorists killed over 6,000 American citizens within a few hours. Suddenly, life as America knew it changed. Many stood in disbelief when they saw the joyous reactions of people cheering on the streets of Palestine. Our nation came to realize that we were truly hated, and that terrorist regimes rejoiced in our pain. The leader of one such a regime, Osama bin Laden, became America's clearly defined worst enemy. A war has begun between bin Laden and his terrorist followers, and all people who believe in freedom. Osama Bin Laden and the terrorists were unjustified in attacking America, and cannot rationally legitimize their actions. Evidence of this, as well as a better understanding of their reasoning, can be found through examination of President Bush's speech to the nation given on September 20th, and through examining additional information on Osama and his terrorist followers.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how america's perspective changed when a commercial airplane slammed into the world trade center on the morning of september 11th. osama bin laden and the terrorists were unjustified in attacking america.
- Explains that osama bin laden was influenced by islamic extremism at an early age, as well as his personal experiences fighting jihad, or holy war.
- Analyzes how bin laden has grown to hate the united states over the years as a result of his islamic extremist beliefs and past confrontations with americans.
- Argues that bin laden's rationalization for fighting jihad is illegitimate by the standards of most people, because his cruelty contradicts fighting for god.
- Analyzes how bin laden's followers hate america for supporting israel, an enemy they feel is trying to destroy islam.
- Analyzes how the quran is vague and can be interpreted in many ways.
- Analyzes how bin laden and his fellow terrorists have been subjected to war in their own countries, fighting for their holy land for centuries.
- Explains zakaria, fareed, and newsweek's "the politics of rage: why do they hate us?"
- Cites zakaria, fareed, and newsweek live talk on islam and the west.
- Cites miller, john, "greetings, america. my name is osama bin laden." esquire, 1999, frontline, 2001, 15 oct. 2001.
- Cites doe, john, "osama bin laden vs. the u.s.: edicts and statements." frontline.
- Describes bush's speech to the nation on september 20, 2001.
1598 wordsRead More - September 11: War Against Terrorism is Necessaryopinion essaySeptember 11: War Against Terrorism is Necessary On the fateful morning of September 11, 2001, few of us knew that the history of America, let alone our individual lives, was dramatically and permanently changing. As the day progressed, Americans, one by one, were dumbfounded at the events that had occurred. This is by no means the first terrorist attack in the history of the world.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that the media, showing the good and unintentionally rewarding the bad, is not the only source of mixed signals and messages. punishment is often double-edged, yet it can also result in negative, even backfiring, consequences.
- Explains sidman, murray, "coercion and its fallout." cambridge center for behavioral studies.
- Opines that america's history has not been tarnished by these fiendish terrorist attacks. the tragic incidents in new york and washington d.c. have played a profound role.
- Opines that the war against terrorism is a needed effort, but its end is not yet in sight.
- Narrates president george w. bush's speech to a joint session of congress and the american people.
1254 wordsRead More - September Eleventh: The New Tragedyopinion essayHistory is written from the tragedies that occur through time. Wars, plagues, famines, and economic crises punctuate references in history books. We refer to time in pre and post event terms, and how our thinking has changed since the occurrence. We measure our lives in relation to deep sorrow that causes us to reconsider our self worth and the lives we lead. There have been several of these happenings in this century, pre world war I, post world war I, the depression era, post world war II, the Cold War, the post cold war, and now we have post September 11th. A new tragedy has been identified as a cause for us to reconsider our place in the world. This new tragedy is distinctive because it took place on U.S. territory and nowhere else. It has global effects, but this tragedy is the United States’ own to grapple with. The reason for this lies in the nature of the attack.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that history is written from the tragedies that occur through time. wars, plagues, famines and economic crises punctuate references in history books.
- Explains that terrorism is the state of intense fear, or the act of inflicting or inspiring fear. history will look upon the terrorists' events of september 11th as a pivotal point in our country's direction of growth.
- Opines that terrorism is a delicate subject to explain and understand. the isolating facet of fear complicates the universal condemnation of it.
- Opines that a rational argument behind terrorist acts can be expressed through irrational means. if they can convince the world to take them seriously, they will receive some needed attention.
- Opines that the united states has just been inducted into the real world of vulnerability. nuclear defense strategies and military build up really did not stop this attack on american soil.
- Opines that terrorism has immeasurable effects on people. fear can lead to many psychological behaviors that affect the way we look at the world.
920 wordsRead More - The War on Terroranalytical essayThe attacks of 9/11 have reshaped and changed the way how Americans live today, forever. Never before such shock and terror has been felt by anyone on the American soil.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes brown, john s., "the united states army in afghanistan: operation enduring freedom." u.s. army center of history.
- Explains that 9/11 has reshaped and changed the way americans live today, forever. nineteen terrorist extremists hijacked four commercial planes on the morning of september 11, 2001.
- Explains osama bin laden's disapproval of the united states' relationship with israel and the saudi arabian relationship.
- Explains that president george w. bush declared the "war on terror" during the state of the union address on september 20, 2001.
- Describes how the united states and britain invaded afghanistan to overthrow al-qaida and taliban forces and change the government of afghanistan.
- Opines that america as a nation should keep an open mind and remain vigilant to terrorist threats here at home and overseas.
- Quotes baier, bret, ian mccaleb, and anna persky. "the rhetoric of 9/11: bullhorn address at ground zero."
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In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the taliban's distorted interpretation of the quran deprives women of their limited progress towards gender equality.
- Opines that the u.s.-backed afghan government's responsibility to eradicate the poppy fields in afghanistan violates the initial objective of war on terror.
- Opines that the united states, along with other allies, are predicted to leave afghanistan with objectives downgraded or abandoned.
- Analyzes how the war on terror has shifted from exploiting armed force to removing the taliban regime and reconstructing afghanistan.
1079 wordsRead More - The Patriot Act Infringes on American Freedomopinion essaySeptember 11, 2001 started off as a beautiful, sunny day, like many other countless days in America; however, it will now be a day that will live on in infamy. As the news played the shot of the planes driving into the sides of the twin towers, fear was driven into the hearts of all Americans. People became panicked and demanded that there be a better way for the United States government to protect its people from any future attacks the terrorist might have planned. This fear was the main contributing factor to the birth of all kinds of new legislation, giving the government new rights to “fight the terrorist.”
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the patriot act infringes on american freedom. the news of the planes hitting the twin towers drove fear into the hearts of all americans.
- Explains that the u.s. patriot act was the most powerful, and controversial, legislation passed by congress on october 26, 2001.
- Opines that the patriot act infringes on the rights of the american people because freedom of information act requests have been half answered and judiciary committee queries are blown off or classified.
- Explains that anti-patriot act legislation is being passed around america. 330 communities in 41 states have passed resolutions condemning the patriot act, meaning that city employees in these areas do not have to cooperate with the government on the sections of the act that violate their citizen's constitutional rights.
- Opines that the patriot act dips into the freedoms once allowed in our nation. is it the excuse the government has been waiting for to have public support for spying on its citizens?
- Cites egan, timothy, and townshend, mike, in "state of the union: opposing the patriot act."
755 wordsRead More - The Criminal Justice System After 9/11explanatory essaySeptember 11, 2001 was one of the most devastating and horrific events in the United States history. Americans feeling of a secure nation had been broken. Over 3,000 people and more than 400 police officers and firefighters were killed during the attacks on The World Trade Center and the Pentagon; in New York City and Washington, D.C. Today the term terrorism is known as the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives (Birzer, Roberson). This term was clearly not defined for the United States for we had partial knowledge and experience with terrorist attacks; until the day September 11, 2001. At that time, President George W. Bush, stated over a televised address from the Oval Office, “Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.” President Bush stood by this statement for the United States was about to retaliate and change the face of the criminal justice system for terrorism.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.
- Explains that since september 11, 2001, the criminal justice system has improved its methods to secure our nation from terrorist attacks.
- Explains how the legal barriers for sharing information and prosecuting terrorists have been significantly lowered due to the new relationship between law enforcement and intelligence collection agencies collaborating to help support prosecutors.
- Explains that the nation's laws against terrorism have been updated over the past decade through congress and other feral agencies.
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In this essay, the author
- Opines that the united states government chose not to fully investigate the known increase in terrorist activity prior to 9/11/01.
- Explains that the united states government chose not to fully investigate the known increase in terrorist activity prior to 9/11/01. there were many instances of terrorism that were directly related to larger terrorist cell organizations.
- Explains how the division of holly land and the argument of who the land actually belonged led to the development of terrorist organizations in middle eastern countries.
- Explains that the united states knew about the large network of terrorist cells and the threat that osama bin laden posed to this country, rather than dealing with small-scale terrorist attacks by preventing them or completely investigating them.
- Narrates how they increased their presence in the middle east to over half a million and soon after invaded iraq to free kuwaiti.
- Analyzes how middle eastern countries have such a hatred for america; their dictators their policies stay in places for decades run countries. their stance on foreign policies changes with every president.
- Explains that terrorist organizations base their terrorist cells out of other nations, such as afghanistan and iraq. other nations could have a sleeper cell operating within their own country.
- Opines that terrorist attacks against the united states were only dealt with on the surface to give americans a false sense of security that the culprits of these terrorists were imprisoned and justice had been done.
- Describes the constant hostage situations involving american journalists.
- Explains why different administrations in our government chose to only arrest and (deal with) individuals involved with terrorist attacks and not the organizations they belonged to.
- Opines that president bush should deal with the global threat of terrorism now.
- Explains that past presidents knew that going to war with a country just for the purpose of dealing with terrorist cells and organization was democratic suicide.
- Explains that iraq has become the staging ground for fighting a war on terror to stop terrorist organizations from developing into global nuclear threat.
- Opines that the country is in a corner because of the decision by former presidents such as clinton, not to deal directly with the terrorist threat.
- Explains that americans are fighting against a terrorist nation through the middle east in iraq.
- Analyzes the use of the iraqi war for the building ground for democracy in the middle east.
- Explains that democracy gives power to the majority of people in the region of the world that believe in peace and do not support the brutal tactics and beliefs of terrorist cells.
- Opines that we should pull out of iraq as soon as possible because it is not our problem and we are pushing our society on there's.
- Opines that our nation and the rest of the world are fighting against an enemy with no nation. the middle east is right next door to us.
1310 wordsRead More - The war on terroranalytical essayEver since the beginning of the terrorist attacks on American soil, the War on Terror has been involved in the lives of Americans and nations near us. The War on Terror’s background originated through conflicts between warring countries in the Middle East; U.S. involvement started when a terrorist guided plane crashed into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 in New York City. The attack was suspected to be the work of the middle-eastern terrorist group Al-Qaeda. The U.S. military, under the leadership of then commander-in-chief George W. Bush, declared a “War on Terror” on the terrorist group and the fighting began.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the war on terror has become another dents in the u.s. economy.
- Argues that the war on terrorism needs to be brought to an end as millions of people are being killed, civil liberties and human rights violated, and the costs of the war continue to rise.
- Concludes that the war on terrorism is a problem the u.s. military and government has to handle due to the loss of lives and the negative views of muslims and middle easterners.
- Chamberlain, jacob. "un human rights chief slams us over gitmo, 'war on terror' | common dreams." economic cost summary | costs of war.
1287 wordsRead More