Introduction
The acts of terrorism have for a long time been imminent in various parts of the world and especially the US affiliated regions. In the US Joint Task Force on Terrorism, we have received many cases involving various kinds of terrorism actions. The most recent case involves a suicide bomber at Floola. The bombing was carried out by a terrorist driving the vehicle, full of explosives, into a community building in a residential neighborhood housing service members on a U.S military base in the country. This act of terrorism was observed motivated by retaliatory actions because of frequents activities of U.S against terrorism especially in Islamic states. Such motives have been reasons for terrorism since 2001, (Vaughn, 2009). Several factors have been identified as root causes for terrorism. According to Pick et al (2009) he cites differences in economic gap as a result of poverty to be one of the factors that drives some young individuals into terrorism activities in the search for a better position in society. In this process, they end up being enticed in any activity however ugly in order to evade economic oppression. Other causes include ethnic and religious strife, class conflict especially in power struggles, social distance et cetera. In addition, there are enhancing factors to terrorism that varies from technological transformations, low costs and high yield associated with terrorism as well as media access. As a member of the national U.S Joint Task Force on Terrorism, I will seek to address in this paper, the strategies that are aimed at responding to terrorism activities of all forms.
Strategies in responding to terrorist activities
Domestic and global preparedness against issues of bombing is required, and the society has to be informed. Terrorists use various conventional weapons in their malicious activities attack. There are four types of attack that are employed by terrorism, namely; radiological, chemical, biological and nuclear. It is important to describe, in each case how an individual will have to be equipped so as to respond well to these attacks. Before these, it is better to note some of the common attack strategies that are used by terrorists. Taking a case of Floola, the attack involved bombing by use of a chemical bomb. This is one of the common form terrorist use because chemical weapons are cheap and most of the time accessible. The recent reports by INTEL cite a case of use of chemical poisons which are sent to the targeted individual in the form of letters. This is a strategy employed in the case where there is a need to kill a specific individual, (INTEL Reports, 2013). These letters are concealed in a manner that there is no indication of who has sent the letter and thus becomes difficult to trace out. It is also noted that some terrorists have employed the use of media sources such as magazines with at tickles of incitation that is disguised in religious teachings. This acts to instill the revenge desire to a certain group of individuals especially the American citizens as they are identified as the enemies of the Islamic religion by some ill driven religious leaders. These terrorism activities target at destabilizing governments especially those affiliated to the U.S.This is the main reason why Floola was attacked. It is a friend state of the U.S, and it has U.S military bases within its boundary. The country is also a determined and aggressive fighter of terrorism activities even though it is dominated Islamic religion with few other religions such as Christianity, Hindu among others operating freely.
- Responding to Chemical Attack
It involves dispersal of chemical substance in various forms such as vapors, liquids as well as solids. These chemicals have hazardous impact on people, plants and animals. Terrorists may use industrial chemicals or warfare chemical agents in their attacks. Once these substances are released, they act very quickly although their existence symptoms may take long to be manifested especially when the chemical was concentrated. These chemical attacks are usually hard to be detected especially in public and therefore governments of terrorism prone states should devise means to help its citizens in the cases of such instances e.g. by informing them on safety approaches to dealing with the situation.
1.1 Response strategy
i) Response to a chemical attack will involve the following steps;
- One should take shelter quickly if the attack is in the outdoors, and the person is also in the outdoors. If you are inside the house or a room, windows and any other opening should be closed to stop the flow of air.
- In a case when the attack happens when one is in the enclosed room, you should open the windows and any air inlets to allow free circulation of fresh air. Prepare to evacuate the room immediately into an opening with free air circulation.
- Once an individual is protected and is out of any exposure from a chemical substance, there should be an effort to decontaminate the substances by showering and in a safe conditions treatment to improve the conditions.
Chemical attacks are characterized by short duration even though they are fast acting. They also cover a small area. This is mainly because chemical substances are usually diluted and affected by ultra violating rays, weakening their diffusion. Being undercover especially in the door is the most critical action one has to undertake. It reduces concentration and thus reducing the effect that the chemical could cause in the direct exposure, Rodgers et al (1990).
Besides, during this response individuals should avoid;
- Evacuating in the attack region by using a car. Although this provides a greater speed and a chance to be out of the place faster, there may be some delay associated in getting into the car and even unsure of the direction to take, chemicals may enter and cause more harm taking into consideration that the car has a small capacity, Sorensen, (2002).
- It is also not recommendable donning protective clothes as there will be no time to do this. In fact, the respiratory system is usually most affected, and it will be ineffective to look for protective clothes especially in the peak of chemical spread.
- Responding to a radiological attack
This kind of attack is characterized by using explosive bombs. The bombs disperse materials that are radioactive and usually cover a wide area. However it is usually slower, and thus it may be difficult for detection. It usually has long term hazards and some of the impacts may take longer to manifest in individuals. These hazards vary with the distance of the location of the explosion, normally high to those near and reduce as distance increases. The spread effect of explosives is usually quick.
Individuals may be aware of the radioactive release mainly from media reports as they usually have visible results. The effect can also be detected by use of radioactive detectors which are usually cheap. The government has to play a central role in the provision of these material detectors to the public, and on the side of an individual, there is a need to reduce exposure to radioactive elements either by inhaling the dust or coming into any other form of contact. Individuals need to check for medical attention if by any chance there was a direct exposure.
1.1 The Response Strategy
The response strategy for these kinds of attack should involve the following steps;
- In the case of an explosion or an individual is informed either through media or any other form about the explosion, one need to cover the nose if he is outside and immediately seek for shelter or stay inside given that the building has no inlets. You only exit once you are informed of safety.
- In any case that the explosion has happened in the enclosed room, one needs to cover the nose and move outside where there is an opening. This action should be done immediately to ensure respiratory system is properly protected.
- Finally, the individual has to remove clothing and have a shower. This is aimed at decontaminating the radiological materials that may be attached to clothing and body. Also, you need to relocate outside the building or the contaminated area. They will help minimise of the further exposure to these materials.
However, this action may be unlikely effective in the case when radioactive materials delay in release but it is always a fair protective measure in responding to radiological attacks or even any other form. The actions aim at protecting inhalation of the substances as, most of the radioactive materials usually infiltrate into the body, (Sorensen and Vogt, 1990).
However, there are actions which are not recommendable in these kinds of attacks. These actions include;
- Individuals or aiding bodies should avoid slow actions during evacuations. Although evacuation is a simple and a more manageable action to do during radioactive explosion, it may be affected by slow actions and sometimes lacking full information as to which direction to take during the process. Evacuation is also least effective at early time of explosion as this is when the contamination is high. They will be more exposure therefore if individuals evacuate at these crucial time.
- Responses to Nuclear Attack
This kind of attack is characterized by immediate impacts that include significant blasts and prompt radiations that have very high energy accompanied with flash and heat. The distance of the effect usually depends on the type and size of the weapon used. The height from the ground also matters as a factor to the effect that will be made from the attacks. Nuclear attacks usually have instantaneous effects, and the exploded radioactive substances usually take 10 to 15 minutes before they begin falling to the ground. It is normally detectable at its immediate release due to features such as loud bomb, light flash and smoke that is accompanied with. Under this circumstance, aid support agents and the government may be so much unable to provide any assistance. It is only after the action is done that some viable support can be done to reduce the effect. Primary actions are also difficult to be taken as there is always no warning during these blasts.
The Response Strategy
During these attacks, there are specific actions that individuals as well as the aiding bodies should do. These strategies are;
- The individual should make sure that he is out of the path of the radioactive cloud in the minimum time possible, usually less than ten minutes. At this point, medical assistance should be looked. Evacuation is appropriate as it will provide safety from exposure to the area where an explosion will occur. Medical care is very critical to those people who may have fallen inside the blast zone. There are low cost involved in the evacuation and therefore aiding bodies as well as the government should be prompt at evacuating people from these zones.
- Another important strategy to use in case evacuation action fails one should take shelter immediately by going some distance underground or hide under the multistory building. This action will help provide good cover from the radioactive infiltration which usually penetrates to a distance of 8 kilometers depending on the size of the weapon used. It is therefore necessary to shelter under strong roofs as a single building may not be able to stop such penetrations.
- If it is not possible for these actions to be taken, one should make sure that both nose and mouth are covered. This will enable the person protected from inhaling radioactive elements. This action should be immediately followed by moving out of the place once there is a chance to evacuate. Decontamination by washing and removing body cover materials is needed.
Although individuals may be unable to avoid immediate dangers, the fallout of clouds as a result of explosion can be possible.
Beside these individual strategies, terrorism activities can also be responded to through other means such as;
- Governments devising laws that help suppress terrorism. These laws should aim at increasing the powers to the government to aggressively fight terrorism. For instance, making it illegal for any actions aimed at recruiting or participating in terrorism, (Routledge, 1997.p726). There should be international agreements made to counter terrorism. This can be taken to foster member participation against terrorism.
- Negotiations is also a productive means to help respond to terrorism. Although this may not be acceptable to many nations, there should be an effort to foster secret negotiations that may see some terrorism attacks reduce. Through negotiation, parties may come to compromised agreement that may proof productive in the long run. Terrorism is occasionally seen as failure of political motive and thus needs of such individuals will be met in a mutual manner if negotiations were held.
- Developed nations should work hard to ensure that there is stability in developing countries states. This is a case of Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia among other countries that have since evolved as terrorism bases because of the instability in their governments.
Conclusion
Terrorism, for a long time is continually growing as a negative voice in the modern society. Despite much effort put in by the United States and other developed nations to counter this vice, it has been realized that there are transformational attempts that the perpetrators continue to adopt in order to suit in the current world, aimed at sustaining existence of their terrorism actions. It is therefore important, according to the finding made by the Joint Task Force on Terrorism members, for individual, governments and international body as a whole acquire strategies that will enhance best responses to terrorism. The society should be aware of the types, means and all forms that are employed in carrying attacks as well as effective ways of responding.
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