Modern Terrorism Essay Example for Free

Modern terrorist act Essay1. What major measures can the supranational community take to prevent act of act of terrorism?The fight against terrorist organizations and terrorism is non skilful a fight that the fall in States must face alone. This is evident from the Madrid evolve bombings, the bombings in London, and the terrorist attacks that Israel seems to face everyday from Hizballah. Terrorism is, in effect, international. All nations fighte a responsibility to assail terrorism to cheer them and to protect new(prenominal) nations as well.One of the security measures that can be undertaken is that of securing strain travelcraft and airports. Enders and Sandler call in their book that between 1973 and 2002, in that location was an average of ten skyjackings per year (Enders, W. . Sandler, T., 2012). This was a number that is surprise due to the fact that it seems like almost werent reported or very little coverage was disposed(p) to the incidences. There ar e new technologies being developed all the time to aid in securing of air travel. There is new engineering science in the area of explosive detection devices. One such technology is cal lead micro-tagging. During this process, tiny chips of micro-taggants are blended into explosive substances and color-coded to identify the manufacturer and batch of explosives (IME, 2005).This system would withal be beneficial in the reconstruction of bomb scenes and used to gain knowledge and prepare for future terrorist acts. a nonher(prenominal) innovative technology is called dielectric analysis. Dielectric analysis is a powerful non-destructive tool for characterizing materials it can take into account accurate, repeatable results unavailable by other electrical means. This, in essence, gives the explosive agents a fingerprint and could forget straightaway identification of explosive substances at airports (DHS, 2012).Along with technological advanced in air security, populate can often ma ke the biggest impact. In this area, Federal Air Marshals play an important role. This is not something that all countries partake in only if more and more countries are adding these individuals to their flights. The airline association estimates that 10 or 20 out of some 115 airlines that fly into the joined States already use air summonss (Lichtblau, 2003). Israel, for instance, has used marshals on El Al flights for years, and as declared, some other countries relieve oneself followed suit more recently, as Australia announced in 2003 that Qantas Airways would begin placing armed marshals on flights to Singapore. Mexico has soild that they would start to use their own air marshals on flights that are going to the United States.However, not all countries and airlines are signed on to the idea. Air France does not use air marshals and the British Air Line Pilots Association said it does not believe that arms belong on aircraft, and British Airways, the commonwealths biggest ai rline, said it reserves the right not to fly if it is forced to add air marshals (Lichtblau, 2003). Although in that respect is a general feeling among passengers that they would feel safer on a flight if there were an air marshal on board, not everyone believes the passengers would necessarily be safer. There are those that cite that an armed conflict on a forgee would father more dangerous to the passengers as opposed to just letting the terrorist state their demands and work with them for the release of passengers.Sound, fulfillable, password is another area that countries can utilize for overall protection. Political intelligence is an important factor to combating terrorism. This can be used to identify where the groups are garnering the most support for their cause. When this has been determined, hug from other nations can be placed on these states to not support the terrorists. The gathering and use of war machine intelligence is vital in both operation. The intellige nce gathered by our forces can assist in finding out how many are in a particular group, what kinds of weapons they have, and where they are located. 2. Do you approximate the U.S. should follow Israels example of fighting terrorism? Explain fully.Israel has been fighting terrorism for many years, even before they became a nation in 1948. They are surrounded by Muslim nations, which historically do not get along with Israelis. This is particularly true of Palestinians. Since Israel is surrounded by so many that concupiscence to do them harm, they have had to take more drastic steps in order to protect themselves.They had become one of the first countries to articulate a deliberate and official indemnity of retaliation against terrorism. Most nations picture that a nation must fight back in order to protect itself and its interests. Israel on the other hand seems to retaliate in a much more aggressive manner. Such a side was their retaliation against an Arab village in Qibiya, J ordan in 1953. On October 13, 1953, Jordanian terrorists infiltrated the Israeli border and threw a grenade into a house, killing a mother and two children in Tiryat Yehuda. In an effort to prevent further attacks and protect its borders, Israel launched a reprisal raid on Qibiya, a Jordanian town crossways the border from Tiryat Yehuda. Unit 101, led by then Colonel Ariel Sharon, destroyed 50 homes, killing 69 Jordanian civilians who were hidden inside and had done for(p) unnoticed (Oreck, A. 2007). Sharon had stated that he was not aware that civilians were involved but that did not help in the embarrassment that Israel suffered due to the incident.The Israelis have pioneered the area of preemptive strikes against terrorism. This policy is a bit more knotty to convince the international community for its justification. It is one thing to fight back against an attack on your country it is another to strike first to prevent such an attack. But in many cases is necessary to do so.S hould we follow Israels example? If that hesitancy had been posed ten or fifteen years ago, I may have said no. Today, my answer would be yes, with a caveat. Though it may be difficult, I think we would need other countries to publicly back us to carry out authoritative missions. In the case of a preemptive strike, our allies must be informed of such action so they are not taken by surprise of the situation. As far as targeted killings, we had expose have support in this undertaking or else we are going to look like the aggressors or worse, assassins.A prime example is our current situation in the Middle East. Although the United States has a policy against taking out heads of state, which chairman Ford imposed by executive order in 1976, there is nothing to say that we cannot take out leaders of terrorist groups as in the case of Osama bin Laden. In the climate we live in today, we had better have all of our options open and on the table if we neediness to defend ourselves and help prevent future attacks. 3. Identify and explain at least three international conventions organized to suppress terrorism.I.The International formula for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 9, 1999, and signed on behalf of the United States of America on January 10, 2000. The Convention is aimed at cutting off the funding that terrorist groups need to operate. This Convention provides an obligation that States bities criminalize such bearing and establishes an international legal framework for cooperation among States opusies directed toward prevention of such financing and ensuring the prosecution and punishment of offenders, wheresoever found.II.The International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombing was adopted in 1997. At this convention, The United Nations (1997) states Created a regimen of universal jurisdiction over the unlawful and flavorional use of explosives and other lethal devic es in, into, or against heterogeneous defined public places with intent to kill or cause serious bodily injury, or with intent to cause extensive destruction of the public place. (article 2)It is similar to other conventions in that it requires parties to extradite or conduct for prosecution persons accused of committing or aiding in the commission of such offenses.III.The Convention on the Making of Plastic Explosives for the purpose of Detection was ratified by the United Nations in 1991. The members of the U.N. were concerned that tensile explosives had been used for such terrorist acts in the past and could be again in the future and wanted to do something about it. This Convention was aimed at deterring such unlawful acts of the use of plastic explosives because they felt there was a need for an international mandate for States to adopt appropriate measures to ensure that plastic explosives are marked. 4. Briefly treasure the provision of the U.S. Patriot Act.The U.S. Patri ot Act has ten different nutriment that outline the United States governments war on terrorism. These provisions impact the war on terrorism in different ways. Some of the provisions deal with rights and responsibilities others provide areas in which terrorism can be fought.The first title is for the enhancement of interior(prenominal) security and provides for funding and information gathering. It also prohibits the discrimination against Muslim Americans. Title II is probably the most controversial of all the provisions. It is here where the perceived infringement on civil liberties takes place. This provision reshapes the way the federal official government can collect information. The FBI can seize materials from private citizens when it believes national security is at stake and then get permission from courts to do so afterwards. Title III involves the area of money launder and the financing of terrorist organizations. Title IV increases border patrols and mandates the de tention of suspected terrorists. Title V deals with removing obstacles in the investigating of terrorism and addresses the capture and prosecution of terrorists.Title VI provides aid to the families of Public Safety Officers who were injured or killed in terrorist attacks, and amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984. Title VII supports the sharing of information by federal law enforcement agencies. Title VIII strengthens criminal laws against terrorism, defines domestic terrorism, and expands biological weapons statutes. Title IX provides guidance on intelligence information sharing from foreign agencies. The information derived from electronic surveillance or physical searches is disseminated for cost-efficient and effective foreign intelligence purposes. The last title is kind of a catchall and is listed as miscellaneous. It contains 16 sections that do not fall under other titles in the act. 5. Briefly discuss the impact of emergency powers on defeating terrorism.Many nations h ave forms of so called, Emergency Powers. Some countries call it State of Exception, Special Powers, or Terrorist Affected. No matter what a country may call their emergency powers, extreme part may exist in which the security of the country in needed and these powers allow for authorities to stop, search, question and detain individuals suspected of terrorist involvement. There have been emergency powers used even before the United States was formed. in the midst of 1775 and 1781, the Continental Congress passed a series of acts and resolves which count as the first expressions of emergency authority. These instruments dealt almost altogether with the prosecution of the Revolutionary War (Relyea, 2006). The President of the United States has available certain powers that may be exercised in the event that the nation is threatened by crisis, exigency, or emergency circumstances (other than natural disasters, war, or near-war situations). Part TwoWhat changes has the F.B.I. made si nce 9/11? How have these changes improved the F.B.I.s ability to respond to terrorism?Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Robert S. Muller, III said the following in a 2008 Washington clock article Before 9/11, we were an agency that concentreed primarily on investigating crimes after the fact, he told The Washington Times in an e-mail interview this week. Today we are actively preventing and disrupting destructive and dirty acts before they occur. (para. 3) A few examples of how the F.B.I. is accomplishing this are how they recruit and train their special agents. Mr. Muller instituted a five-year incite up or get out plan for its leadership, calling it critical to the mastery of the future success of the F.B.I.The budget for 2012 was $8.1 billion including $119.2 million in program increases to enhance counterterrorism, computer intrusions, and other programs (The FBI, 2012). They have also made great efforts to increase information sharing with other intelligence agencies which makes efforts to prevent terrorists activities a great success as in the thwarting of the attempted bombing of downtown Manhattan financial district just a few short months ago.Since the institution of Director Mullers initiatives and the FBIs new focus on counterterrorism rather than just being a reactive agency, the FBI is better trained and equipped to not only respond but to go on the offensive when needed. With the help of the Patriot Act and the grow powers it allows law enforcement to react more decisively and with greater effectiveness.Part ThreeWhat were the policies of Germany and Japan before 9/11? What measures have been taken by these two countries in order to combat terrorism? prior to 9/11, the German government had a typical laissez faire approach to international terrorists and their organizations. After 9/11 this changed. In a CRS report, Miko, F.T. (2004), stated the following The German response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks against the United S tates was immediate and unprecedented in scope for that country. Setting aside its post-World War II prohibition against deploying forces outside of atomic number 63 and overcoming pacifist leanings of some in the governing coalition, Germany quickly offered phalanx and other assistance to the United States.In his initial reaction to the attacks of 9/11, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder declared Germanys unlimited solidarity with the United States. On folk 12, 2001, the German government, along with other U.S. allies, invoked NATOs Article V, paving the way for military assistance to the United States. The Chancellor gained approval from the German Parliament to deploy troops to Afghanistan with a call for a ballot of confidence in his own government.Since then, German efforts in the fight against terrorism have expanded across a wide spectrum. Germany has instituted significant policy, legislative, and organizational reforms. Bilateral cooperation with the United States has been ext ensive, despite differences stemming from the distinct approaches and constraints in each(prenominal) country and frictions resulting from sharp disagreement over Iraq policy. (p. 1) Since the end of WWII and Japans defeat, their policy has been one of maintaining a Ground Self Defense Force (GSDF) aimed at protecting the homeland only. While Japan the Great Compromiser a loyal supporter of the United States, the public is very reluctant to view military preventative outside the country as favorable. However, they did send a small force to Iraq in a relatively peaceful operating environment in the town of Samawah. While there they neither caused nor received any casualties, which was popular with the Japanese public.Although Japanese opinion on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq suggests a go awayingness to recognize the utility of military power for territorial defense, but not for offensive uses of force, unless these are directly related to national defense, they tarry a stro ng supporter of U.S. policies against terrorists. Part FourSummarize the salient points of the National scheme For Combating Terrorism.The salient points of the National Strategy For Combating Terrorism can be summed up as followsDefeat Terrorists and Their OrganizationsDeny Sponsorship, Support, and mental institution to TerroristsDiminish the Underlying Conditions that Terrorists Seek to ExploitDefend U.S. Citizens and Interests at Home and AbroadThe list in a higher place serves as the Goals and Objectives of the National Strategy for Combating Terrorism as of 2007. These same goals still hold true today. Part FiveSummarize the salient points of the National Strategy To Combat Weapons of bulk DestructionNational Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction. This was first issued by then President, George W. Bush in December 2002. A comment of strategy is as follows The Weapons of Mass Destruction strategy presents a national strategy to combat weapons of masses destructi on (WMD) through three major efforts (1) nonproliferation, (2) counter-proliferation, and (3) consequence management in WMD incidents (The White House, 2003). The plan addresses the production and proliferation of WMD among nations, as well as the potential threat of terrorists using WMD agents.I leave you with a final quote from President George W. Bush. The gravest danger our Nation faces lies at the crossroads of radicalism and technology. Our enemies have openly declared that they are seeking weapons of mass destruction, and evidence indicates that they are doing so with determination. The United States will not allow these efforts to succeed. History will judge harshly those who saw this coming danger but failed to act. In the new world we have entered, the only path to peace and security is the path of action. President BushThe National Security Strategy of the United States of America September 17, 2002References(2005). Taggant History and Background. IME. Retrieved January 8 , 2013 from http//www.ime.org/dynamic.php? pageboy_id=66(2012). electromagnetic Studies of Explosives Laboratories. 1-2. Department of Homeland Security http//www.orau.gov/DHS-TSLvisSciProg/labs/TSL_EMX LAB.pdf.(2012). Quick Facts. The FBI. Retrieved January 15, 2013 from http//www.fbi.gov/about-us/quick-factsConery, B., Mueller praises FBIs changes since 9/11. The Washington Times. Editors Picks. Retrieved January 15, 2013 from http//www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jul/25/mu eller-praises-fbis-changes-since-911/?page=allEnders, W. . Sandler, T. (2012). The Political Economy of Terrorism. (2nd ed., pp. 86-90). New York, NY Cambridge University Press.Lichtblau, E. (2003). U.S. says it will force countries to arm flights. San Francisco Chronicle, A/1. Retrieved January 8, 2013, from http//www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/12/30/MNGJD40F651.DTLtype=printable.Miko, F.T. (2004). Germanys Role in Fighting Terrorism Implications for U.S. Policy. (RL32710). 1. United Stat es Congress. Retrieved January 15, 2013 from http//www.fas.org/irp/crs/RL32710.pdfOreck, A. (2007). Qibya. Jewish realistic Library, The Library. Retrieved January 8, 2013, from http//www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/Qibiya.html.Relyea, H. C. (2006). National Emergency Powers. In CRS Report for Congress. Congress. Retrieved January 9, 2013, from http//www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/98-505.pdf.The White House. (2003). National Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction. Arms Control Today. Retrieved January 15, 2013 from http//www.armscontrol.org/act/2003_01-02/document _janfeb03United Nations. (1997). Conventions Against Terrorism. Retrieved January 9, 2013, from United Nations http//www.un.org/law/cod/terroris.htm