Introduction
Background of the Study
Carr defines terrorism as an illegitimate way (through use of violence) of attempting to change the political, social, religious or economic position (Carr, 2007). In the 21st century, this vice has become the single-most threat to the security of many nations. From USA to Nigeria, South Africa to Kenya, the impact of terrorism has been deeply felt. The attacks on the twin towers of America’s World Trade Center and the move by Boko Haram to kidnap students in the name of promoting terrorism activities has led to high-profile discussions on how this vice should be stopped. The United Nations Security Council has been on high alert in promoting an agenda which would see state members invest in security apparatus to counter such a threat. Terrorism has a number of undesirable effects. First, it leads to loss of innocent lives. The recent attack of innocent university students in the University of Garrisa in Kenya left one hundred and fifty students dead, with scores injured. In addition, terrorism also brings about massive destruction of property. The best example on this is taking into account the recent Paris attacks, and the 9/11 attacks where property worth millions of shillings was destroyed. Because of this sensitive nature, there is a need to understand this vice from multiple perspectives. This is the only way through which the vice can successfully be countered (Garfinkel, 2010). The United States and South Africa present a good opportunity to understand the different actions that victim countries are undertaking to end terrorism. It is important, however, to note that there needs to be worldwide cooperation if the same is to be handled effectively.
Research questions
A number of research questions will guide this study. What is the current state of terrorism in the US and South Africa? What measures have the two countries put in place in order to counter this vice? Are the measures the countries have undertaken effective? These are some of the research questions that guide this research.
Significance of the Study
In one way or the other, this study will guide various governments on understanding and addressing terrorism. Because of the multi-faceted nature of terrorism, there is a need to have a conclusive literature that people can relate to. In addition to this, the research will be important to journalists, scholars and writers. This is because the research will significantly add to the existing literature about the vice.
Literature Review
There exists vast literature on this issue. Regardless, much of the available literature focuses on the pre-existing perceptions and views from different scholars. This available literature does not reflect on the current state of events, hence the need for this research.
Fadeicheva attempted to analyze terrorism in the year 1989. In his work, he argued that terrorism was a mechanism that was constantly used with the aim of achieving a political end. In doing so, he further argues that kidnappings, assassinations, and bombings are some of the methods through which terrorists carried out their activities (Fadeicheva, 2007).
On his hand, Franco puts more emphasis on the impact that terrorism has on a country. First, he explains that terrorism hurts the economy of a particular country. This is because it promotes a state of fear, meaning that investors will not be comfortable investing. Destruction of property and loss of lives, he argues, are some of the effects of terrorism (Franco, 2010). The author argues that in order for the problem to be solved, all nations must combine efforts. He specifically looks into USA when analyzing the issue.
Methodology
The research methodology for this paper will be the use of interviews and questionnaires. In doing so, various stakeholders from the two countries in question will be interviewed. In addition, the paper will use observational methods to collect data.
Overview of Terrorism
Brief History
Terrorism is not necessarily a new vice in the current era. Terrorism dates back to the early decades when mankind opted to use violence to promote their personal interests against other people. Such violence was always as a result of political, economic and religious greed. There is evidence that this vice is as old as mankind. In the 1st century, for instance, a Jewish group (Sicarii) murdered its enemies with the intention of ousting their rulers from Judea. The 11th and 13th centuries would later see a series of assassinations in Syria and Iran by a secretive Islamic sect. In this, political figures such as Seljuk and Abbasid were assassinated (Ringelberg, n.d).
It is important to note that terrorism has evolved over the years. Activities that could be called terrorism in the early centuries might necessarily not be termed so in the modern era. A lot has changed. Nevertheless, the bottom-line is that violence is used to promote personal interests.
Definition of Terrorism after 9/11
The 9/11 attacks in the United States of America are the epitome of modern day terrorism. It is important to note that terrorism in the early centuries is different from terrorism in the modern era. This is despite the fact that the vice entails use of violence and threats. Historically, terrorism was aimed at shifting political alignments. The same is not the case today. Modern-day terrorism is seen as a conquest between religions. The Muslims against the Christians. There is little evidence that such activities are politically-instigated.
The definition of terrorism after the 9/11 attacks significantly changed. This is because of the nature of the activities. Unlike the early centuries, modern-day terrorism entails the terrorists carrying out suicide bombings. These terrorists offer themselves to die in order to accomplish their missions. It’s no longer a move to hurt the enemy. This newfound approach has changed the scope of terrorism. Importantly, it has changed how the vice is looked at.
UN and International Law on Terrorism
The United Nations has been on the frontline in fighting terrorism. One way it has done this is through legislating international laws over the same vice, Today, there are several legal instruments and laws that address the issue of terrorism.
The first legal instrument is the 1963 Convention on Offences and Certain Other Acts Committed on Board Aircraft (Laqueur, 2001). This instrument focuses on flight safety in order to curb the movement of terrorists from one point to the other. There exists the 2010 Protocol Supplementary to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft, which basically addresses activities such as hijackings and other related vices. The International Convention against the Taking of Hostages also exists to play the same role.
Terrorism according to the US and South Africa
US perceptions on terrorism
The 9/11 attacks in America acted as a wake-up call for the country as regards to how it perceived and prepared for terrorism. These attacks changed the way America perceived foreign security threats. In particular, its relationship with countries such as Syria and Iraq deteriorated significantly (Goldman, n.d). This prompted the government to commence the famous ‘war-on-terror’, with a move to protect the country from external threats.
Ever since these attacks, America has engaged itself in a number of fights in order to curb the vice. In other situations, it has offered military support and financial support to affected countries. Recently, the government offered both financial and personnel support to Kenya in its attempts to deal with the Al Shabaab terrorists.
The United States has also changed tact on how to treat terrorism suspects. Previously, Americans were against the ill-treatment of suspected terrorists on grounds that they were innocent until proven guilty (Hodgson et al. 2005). Few Americans supported the Guantanamo bay because they felt that it was inhuman. This perception has since changed after the 9/11 attacks in the US. The government has strengthened its approach and empowered its military to deal with terrorists. In addition, it has passed relevant legislations such as the Anti-terrorism Act to offer a guideline on how this issue is to be dealt with. The general perception, however, is that terrorism has to be curbed at all costs.
South Africa perceptions on terrorism
In South Africa, Xenophobic attacks are the major source of worry as far as terrorism is concerned. Simply put, this refers to the indigenous uprising against foreigners on grounds that the foreigners are responsible for a shortage of jobs because they grab the available employment opportunities (In Law, 2015). As a matter of fact, South Africa has not been subjected to external terrorist attacks of the 9/11 magnitude.
Regardless, the perception is that terrorism has a negative impact on the economy. First, South Africa suffered a decline in the number of tourists that visited. This has a direct implication on the economy of the country as it limited its foreign exchange. It also threatens the way the country relates with other countries. With this being the case, it is difficult to see the country benefitting from foreign aid.
The Iraqi War and the Gaza Strip Crisis offer the perfect examples on how terrorism has negatively affected international relations and cooperation. The move by America to declare war on Iraqi was received by divided opinions, even in the American parliament. Whether America was right to invade Iraqi or not is still a subject to be debated on. Regardless, this move helped America weaken Iraqi, hence thwarting further terrorism activities (International Crisis Group, 2009).
The Gaza strip crisis is a major cause of concern. The meticulous rise of the ISIS in Syria is a threat to the security of the world (Varble, 2009). The recent attacks in Paris act as a wakeup call that terrorists will do whatever they can to effect their plans. The US, however, has supported international initiatives geared towards curbing terrorism. By virtue of being a member of the UN, South Africa also contributes to such initiatives to boost peace in the world.
Conclusion
Summary and conclusion
The paper has highlighted how terrorism has evolved over the years to include new elements. There is no doubt that its impact has been felt all over the world. Loss of property and lives has forced the US and other members of the international community to take necessary measures to curb the vice. The differing perceptions towards terrorism means there is a need to have a common approach in fighting terrorism.
Recommendations for future studies
Terrorism keeps on evolving. It keeps on changing. In order to effect their plans, terrorists will always come up with new ways of doing things. It is for this reason that the paper advocates for constant reviews and analysis about the issue. This calls for periodical research on the issue to update the current position.
References
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Franco, G. H., & Cervantes, S. L. (2010). Islam in the 21st century. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers.
Garfinkel, S. (2000). Database nation: The death of privacy in the 21st century. Beijing: O'Reilly.
Goldman, J. E., & Ahuja, S. (n.d.). Integration of COBIT, Balanced Scorecard and SSE-CMM as an Organizational & Strategic Information Security Management (ISM) Framework.ICT Ethics and Security in the 21st Century, 277-309. doi:10.4018/978-1-60960-573-5.ch014
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Ringelberg, J., Beers, G., & Powell, T. (n.d.). US oceanographic research vessels and the International Safety Management Code (ISM). Oceans '99. MTS/IEEE. Riding the Crest into the 21st Century. Conference and Exhibition. Conference Proceedings (IEEE Cat. No.99CH37008). doi:10.1109/oceans.1999.799796
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