Terrorism: A Description and Resolution
By Sarah Trammell
12th Grade
“We are a country awakened to danger and called to defend freedom. Our grief has turned to anger, and anger to resolution,” President George W. Bush stated in an Address to a Joint Session of Congress. On September 11, 2001, the United States of America was deliberately attacked, as terrorists flew commercial airplanes into the two towers of the World Trade Center, America’s economic center, and the Pentagon, the heart of American intelligence. Since that time, America has become aware of a new threat—the threat of terrorism. The people of the United States are left with two questions—What is terrorism? and how can it be fought? Many things must be taken into account to derive a meaningful definition of terrorism. To define terrorism, the motives behind terrorist attacks and the places targeted must be explored. A clear difference must also be distinguished between terrorism and acts of crime and warfare. Americans must also uncover the ways to combat terrorism, both philosophical and logistical. The definition of terrorism is very complex, but must be thoroughly explored to find ways to combat it.
Terrorism is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “mass-organized ruthlessness,” but terrorism as we know it cannot be that easily defined. A true definition of terrorism and terrorists has been a topic of controversy. One man’s terrorist is said to be another man’s freedom fighter. It is sometimes said that what looks like a terrorist, sounds like a terrorist, and behaves like a terrorist is a terrorist. Others claim terrorism is a more complicated issue than that—that to define terrorism a great number of things must be regarded. These defining entities include the people and purpose behind terrorist attacks, the targets they choose, and why they choose them.
The United States has been a popular target for terrorism, and has been attacked by many different kinds of terrorists. In recent years, the United States has been targeted primarily by Islamic fundamentalists. America is targeted by these Muslim extremists for the principles the country holds. These radical religious groups, such as al Queda and HAMAS are groups made up of extensive networks stationed throughout the world. Religious groups are not the only groups of people producing terrorists, though. America has also been subjected to attacks from people within the country who are dissatisfied with the government. On April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh, a disgruntled American citizen, bombed the Murrah federal building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Extreme interest groups can also become terrorists. Anti-abortionists have bombed abortion clinics, and the Ku Klux Klan has performed acts of violence against certain groups of people because of race or religion. Terrorists come in many forms and have many different interests, but all use acts of violence to help promote their cause.
The United States is targeted by religious factions because it is a democratic nation, protecting the rights of people of all different faiths—Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and many more religions. These terrorist organizations are composed of clandestine networks, such as al Qaeda, strategically placed around the world, with the sole purpose of forcing their beliefs on others. These networks are the new great threat to the free world. President George W. Bush said, “Al Qaeda is to terror what the mafia is to crime. But its goal is not making money: its goal is remaking the world—and imposing its radical beliefs on people everywhere.” Terrorists will stop nothing short of their goal—the destruction of our civilization and prosperity of their own civilization. Many terrorists have been educated to believe that their “jihad,” or holy war, has valid basis in the Koran. The Koran instructs believers to “slay the idolaters...make war on the leaders of unbelief so that they may desist.” The fundamentalist Muslims take these instructions very literally and, therefore, attack non-Islamic nations. Terrorists are motivated by deep-rooted religious beliefs that inspire them to attack not only America, but other strongholds of freedom as well. Terrorists acting not out of religious reasons but for political purpose have strong motivation as well. These terrorists possess the same fervor for their cause as religiously motivated terrorists do. They believe that their cause, whether it is anti-abortion, environmentalism, or another motive deserves to be heard. Terrorists use violence to make their beliefs known and to try and advance their beliefs.
Terrorism is a complicated subject because it does not fit in any established category of violence—war or crime. War is defined as an armed conflict between two states or groups of states. Crime is defined as a serious violation of the law. Terrorism cannot be definitely placed in either category, but is in the murky area between the two. It cannot be called an act of war because terrorists are not particularly from one state or representing a country—they are fighting for and representing an idea. Terrorism cannot be simply called a crime either because of the complex political and religious motives behind each terrorist attack. “America’s current conflict is a different war from any our nation has ever faced, a war on many fronts, against terrorists who operate in more than 60 countries,” President Bush said. Terrorism also brings with it not only the threat of physical attacks, but the threat of biological attacks as well. The use of deadly agents such as anthrax presents a great hazard to civilians. Although a concrete definition of terrorism is controversial, by looking at who terrorists are, their motivation, and who they attack, terrorism can be understood as deliberate attacks on groups of people in order to gain ground for a certain cause—religious or political.
America has a great track record fighting full-out wars, but there are two conditions under which our record is abysmal. One is when we can’t identify the enemy geographically (e.g., the War on Drugs), and the other is when we try to fight on a limited basis (Vietnam, the Persian Gulf). Fighting terrorist organizations combines the worst of these two conditions, and is therefore not something to be taken lightly. America must act as a great power should to defeat terrorism. Although combating terrorism is difficult, there are ways both philosophically and logistically to fight the intricate terrorist networks that attack the United States and the ideals of freedom.
There are many theories or philosophical ways to combat the threat of terrorism in the world. Removing the root causes of terrorism is one. Terrorism is the product of jealousy and hatred within a group of radicals. If prejudice could be eliminated and equality instilled in every aspect of life in every country, the threat of terrorism would be removed. Another theory to eradicate terrorism is to remove or reduce the injustices of the world, such as poverty and hunger. Terrorists would not be as angered toward America in general, some believe, if the citizens of their country were as prosperous as the so-called “nation of infidels.”
There are also many logistical weapons to battle the act of terrorism. As President Bush said, “To fight terrorism it will require every means of diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law enforcement, every financial influence, and every necessary weapon of war.” Terrorism must be fought with diplomacy. The United States cannot defeat terrorism alone but will need the support of other nations to stop the threat of terrorism. The United States must also develop superior intelligence to defeat terrorism. The United States must have the means to intercept covert operations planned by terrorists, so future attacks can be prevented. Strict homeland security—in airports, malls, cities, and other densely populated places—must be kept at a maximum to discourage attacks. We must do a better job of informing citizens of threats and improving security at home while prosecuting the war abroad with vigor. Perhaps, though, the most important key to halting the threat of terrorism is for people to be eternally vigilant. People being alert to happenings around the world will help block future attacks by terrorists.
Terrorism is probably the greatest threat facing the free world today. “This new enemy seeks to destroy our freedom and impose its views,” asserted President Bush. Although ideas about the definition of terrorism differ, both terrorism and terrorists can be fought, and with the right leadership and actions, terrorism can be stopped.
QUESTIONS
1. Why, in your opinion, was the United States attacked?
ANSWER: The United States was attacked because others see it as a country full of rich, arrogant people.
2. Why is the first question so important to resolve and agree upon?
ANSWER: It is important to agree on the first question because to combat terrorism we must have some understanding of why we were attacked.
3. What action or inaction by the United States and its allies; in the author’s opinion, increased the likelihood of chemical and biological attacks?
ANSWER: The author believes the United States backing down from Saddam Hussein’s refusal to allow inspections of suspected Iraqi weapons manufacturing facilities.
4. Why does the author believe the United States is a popular target for terrorists?
ANSWER: The United States is a popular target because the country has shot down Libyan and Iranian planes; bombed Sudan, Afghanistan, and Beirut; and become allies with Israel. The author believes, however, had none of these events taken place the US would still be a target because of its status.
5. What motivates terrorists, in the author’s opinion?
ANSWER: The author believes terrorists are motivated by a fundamentally religious issue—the want for a caliphate form of government.
6. What reasons does the author give for the intense hatred of the United States by people like Osama bin Ladn?
ANSWER: The author feels radical Islamic leaders such as Osama bin Ladn hate the United States because the so-called “nation of infidels” is the most prosperous nation in the world.
7. How does rule by divine right preclude the reasoned debate that occurs naturally in a democracy?
ANSWER: A rule by divine right has no room for debate, because the leader is supposedly appointed by God, whereas in a democracy there is room for disagreement because leaders are chosen by the people.
8. What evidence does the author offer that the terrorism visited upon the United States on September 11, 2001 was based on religious rather than political fanaticism?
ANSWER: The author cites as evidence the attack on September 11, 2001 were religious and not political with the fact that no demands have been received and no negotiations offered.
9. What is a fatwah?
ANSWER: A fatwah is an explicit religious order.
10. Why does the author think new attacks are likely and how does he/she suggest we stop them?
ANSWER: The author feels new attacks will occur because the attacks provided powerful motivation for those planning fresh assaults in years to come. He claims
it is hard to stop the perpetrators because they are willing to die and because of the countless number of attacks likely to be already planed.
11. Why does the author claim that declaring war is futile? What two historical examples does he/she give to back up this claim?
ANSWER: The author says declaring war is futile because geographical and political lines cannot be clearly drawn around terrorism. The War on Drugs and the Vietnam War are examples.
12. Complete this sentence using the author’s words: “A declaration of war implies...
ANSWER: A declaration of war implies a conflict of limited duration in which one side eventually surrenders or capitulates and the other side wins.
13. What does the author suggest we do?
ANSWER: The author suggests that we not fight by our conventional rules of war when fighting terrorism.
14. Explain the significance of the Coventry story.
ANSWER: The Coventry story shows that American intelligence may have let this attack occur to help prevent future attacks as Winston Churchill did in the Coventry story.
15. Suppose you were a general in a combat situation. Could you “consort with evil to prevent larger evil?” Why or why not?
ANSWER: If I were a general in a combat situation I would “consort with evil to prevent larger evil.” I believe you must look at the big picture and take the best route to achieve the goal.
16. The author says something is unAmerican. What is it? Do you think the author is correct? Please write out your own definition of unAmerican.
ANSWER: The author says that turning our anger on Islam because of our frustration in being unable to get at the real villains in unAmerican. I agree. To me unAmerican is not accepting someone on account of his or her race, religion, or sex. America was founded on the inherent philosophy that “all men are created equal” and to me a true American believes this principle and won’t hold against a group of people what only a small group of individuals has done.
17. Do you agree that terrorism must be defined adequately in order to be stopped?
ANSWER: I don’t think it is feasible to say that terrorism can adequately be defined. Terrorism is a complicated act. To be stopped in think that we must have a general idea of what terrorism is and a theory why terrorist acts are preformed.
18. How important do you think it is for you to research, discuss and consider the definition of terrorism? Are you willing to spend the time it takes to give your definition you very best effort? Why or why not?
ANSWER: I believe it is very important to research, discuss, and consider the threat of terrorism and its definition. I am willing to give my definition my very best because I feel that to combat terrorism each person must have an understanding of what terrorism is.
19. Were you able to define terrorism in your essay without admitting that the United States has been guilty of terrorist acts?
ANSWER: No, after researching terrorism and extracting a definition I believe that every nation and every person has at sometime been guilty of terrorism, whether it was a tiny act or a large act.
20. Are you optimistic about the future? Will you pledge to do your part in pursuing mutual understanding? Why or why not?
ANSWER: I am very optimistic about the future. I believe that we live in the greatest and strongest nation in the world and that we will prevail. I will do my part to help achieve a better understanding of terrorism, because without understanding terrorism our attempts to combat it will be futile.