ABSTRACT
This research project critically explores the challenges and prospects of United States
and their fight against global terrorism.
Chapter one comprises the background of the study,
statement of research problems, aims and objectives of the study, research
hypothesis, significance of the study, limitations of the study, historical
background and definition of terms.
Chapter two involves literature review and how the
topic is being broken down to sub-topics that is relevant to the success of the
project and where the contribution of the following authors, authentic are
reviewed.
Chapter three consists of the research design,
population of the study, sample technique, sample of the study, sources of data
and method of data presentation and techniques of analysis which is used for
the reliability and validity of the research work.
Chapter four consists the questionnaire
administration, analysis of responses from questionnaire, and test of
hypothesis.
Chapter five, the final chapter also concludes the
Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendations of this special assignment.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, in
Washington, D.C., New York City, and Pennsylvania were acts of war against the
United States of America and its allies, and against the very idea of civilized
society. No cause justifies terrorism. The world must respond and fight this
evil that is intent on threatening and destroying our basic freedoms and our
way of life. Freedom and fear are at war. The enemy is not one person. It is
not a single political regime. Certainly it is not a religion. The enemy is
terrorism—premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against
noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents. Those who
employ terrorism, regardless of their specific secular or religious objectives,
strive to subvert the rule of law and effect change through violence and fear.
These terrorists also share the misguided belief that killing, kidnapping,
extorting, robbing, and wreaking havoc to terrorize people are legitimate forms
of political action. The struggle against international terrorism is different
from any other war in our history. We will not triumph solely or even primarily
through military might. We must fight terrorist networks, and all those who
support their efforts to spread fear around the world, using every instrument
of national power— diplomatic, economic, law enforcement, financial,
information, intelligence, and military. Progress will come through the
persistent accumulation of successes—some seen, some unseen. And we will always
remain vigilant against new terrorist threats. Our goal will be reached when
Americans and other civilized people around the world can lead their lives free
of fear from terrorist attacks. There will be no quick or easy end to this
conflict. At the same time, the United States, will not allow itself to be held
hostage by terrorists. Combating terrorism and securing the U.S. homeland from
future attacks are our top priorities. But they will not be our only
priorities. This strategy supports the National Security Strategy ofthe United
States. As the National Security Strategy highlights, we live in an age with
tremendous opportunities to foster a world consistent with interests and values
embraced by the United States and freedom-loving people around the world. And
we will seize these opportunities. This combating terrorism strategy further
elaborates on Section III of the the National Security Strategy by expounding
on our need to destroy terrorist organizations, win the “war of ideas,” and
strengthen America’s security at home and abroad. While the National Strategy
for Homeland Security focuses on preventing terrorist attacks within the United
States, the National Strategy for Combating Terrorism focuses on identifying
and defusing threats before they reach our borders. While we appreciate the
nature of the difficult challenge before us, our strategy is based on the
belief that sometimes the most difficult tasks are accomplished by the most
direct means. Ours is a strategy of direct and continuous action against
terrorist groups, the cumulative effect of which will initially disrupt, over
time degrade, and ultimately destroy the terrorist organizations. The more
frequently and relentlessly we strike the terrorists across all fronts, using
all the tools of statecraft, the more effective we will be. The United States,
with its unique ability to build partnerships and project power, will lead the
fight against terrorist organizations of global reach. By striking constantly
and ensuring that terrorists have no place to hide, we will compress their
scope and reduce the capability of these organizations. By adapting old
alliances and creating new partnerships, we will facilitate regional solutions
that further isolate the spread of terrorism. Concurrently, as the scope of
terrorism becomes more localized, unorganized and relegated to the criminal
domain, we will rely upon and assist other states to eradicate terrorism at its
root. The United States will constantly strive to enlist the support of the
international community in this fight against a common foe. If necessary,
however, we will not hesitate to act alone, to exercise our right to
self-defense, including acting preemptively against terrorists to prevent them
from doing harm to our people and our country. The war on terrorism is asymmetric
in nature but the advantage belongs to us, not the terrorists. We will fight
this campaign using our strengths against the enemy’s weaknesses. We will use
the power of our values to shape a free and more prosperous world. We will
employ the legitimacy of our government and our cause to craft strong and agile
partnerships. Our economic strength will help failing states and assist weak
countries in ridding themselves of terrorism. Our technology will help identify
and locate terrorist organizations, and our global reach will eliminate them
where they hide. And as always, we will rely on the strength of the American
people to remain resolute in the face of adversity. We will never forget what
we are ultimately fighting for—our fundamental democratic values and way of
life. In leading the campaign against terrorism, we are forging new
international relationships and redefining existing ones in terms suited to the
transnational challenges of the 21st century.
1.2 Statement
of the Problem
In recent years, terrorist networks have evolved,
moving away from a dependency on state sponsorship; many of the most dangerous
groups and individuals now operate as non-state actors. Taking advantage of
porous borders and interconnected international systems finance, communications,
and transit terrorist groups can reach every corner of the globe. While some
remain focused on local or national political dynamics, others seek to affect
global change.
At the forefront of this trend is al-Qaeda. From
its base in the borderlands between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the al-Qaeda
network has spread widely, establishing branches or affiliates elsewhere,
including in North Africa, Yemen, and Southeast Asia. Driven by an extreme
Salafi ideology characterized by opposition to Western influence and the goal
of creating a global Islamic caliphate al-Qaeda operatives have killed
thousands from Madrid to Bali to Baghdad. What is more, the group's alluring
ideology extends its reach, prompting some individuals outside its direct
command to take violent action. The threat from al-Qaeda has proven global,
multifaceted, and difficult to track and contain. It continues to pose the most
prominent terrorist threat.
1.3 Objectives
of the study
The objective of this study is to
suggest possible ways in which United States,
together with its friends and allies, eliminates terrorism as a threat to our
way of life; also to examine the prospects and challenges of the United States
of America CTU (counter terrorist unit) in combating terrorism
1.4 Research
questions
1. What measures can be put in place in
order to eliminate terrorism completely from the United States.
1.5 Significance of the Study
Americans know that terrorism did not begin on
September 11, 2001. Regrettably, its history is long and all too familiar. The
first major terrorist attack on New York City’s financial district, for
instance, did not occur on September 11, or even with the 1993 truck bombing of
the World Trade Center. It occurred September 16, 1920, when anarchists
exploded a horse cart filled with dynamite near the intersections of Wall and
Broad Streets, taking 40 lives and wounding about 300 others. Starting with the
assassination of President William McKinley in 1901 and continuing with the
bombings of the U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya in 1998 and the USS Cole
in Yemen in 2000, American history in the 20th century was punctuated by
terrorism. Americans also understand that we are not alone in the struggle
against terror. Terrorists have left their mark in some way upon every country
in the world. Citizens from some 90 countries died in the attacks of September
11. For decades, the United States and our friends abroad have waged the long
struggle against the terrorist menace. We have learned much from these efforts.
Even as we experience success in the war on terrorism, new enemies may emerge.
Thus, the United States will confront the threat of terrorism for the foreseeable
future. Consequently, we must continue to take aggressive action to uncover
individuals and groups engaged in terrorist activity, by analyzing the common
characteristics of terrorists in order to understand where our enemies are weak
and where they are strong.
1.6 Scope/Limitations of the study
This
study is on United States and fight against terrorism and it has the following
limitations.
1.
Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the
efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature
or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire
and interview).
2.
Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously
engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down
on the time devoted for the research work.
1.7 Definition
of terms
Terrorism:The
unofficial or unauthorized use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of
political aims.The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations defines terrorism as "the unlawful use of force and
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".