Terrorism is an international phenomenon that has mostly affected the United States negatively. Every measure I therefore being taken to ensure the country is safe as well as maintain good relationships with the neighboring countries. Terrorism is so critical that books have been written and movies made just to condemn the vice as well comment on the reactions perceived from various stakeholders. Show 24 is one of the television series that highlights on the efforts of United States to counter terrorism and the involvement of the international community. Show 24 is a series that has invited both negative and positive response from people of all lifestyles. It is through such shows that one gets to know how different people perceive the issue of terrorism and what they feel is the right thing to do.
Jack Bauer who is the main character of the show has featured in all series of the show has been termed as the ‘American captain’. This is because of the fundamental role that he plays in bringing out the clear picture of how terrorism is being fought in the country and the efforts that the government is putting in place to ensure safety. The fact remains that in as much no single American is pleased with terrorism and its effects to the nation, most Americans agree that the efforts used by the government to fight the vice are not well managed. The show clearly displays a true and clear picture of how the government has been countering the issue and the discrimination and suffering it has caused especially to the Muslim community and Arab nations (Miniter, 2013).
The show has received various criticisms from the media for displaying Muslims as terrorists ignoring the impact it will have on them. In as much as Muslim terrorists groups have confessed and admitted responsibility for a series of terrorists attacks, it does not imply that all Muslims are terrorists. However, the movie has been considered to display the fact that anybody from the Arab nation and more so a Muslim is likely to be a terrorists. This has always been observed at various checkpoints that a person who is dressed like a Muslim is scrutinized more than any other person is. This has also seen the insurance of travel restrictions and advisories to people and areas that are prone to terrorism. This has had very negative implications on such communities that have had to suffer the fate of some few individuals.
The show may be criticized for what it has displayed yet it is a true picture of what is happening. Much of what is happening and the terrorist plans are simply because some of the affected communities are paying back on what they feel is a negative treatment. For instance, the United States has targeted specific Arab countries by declaring war against them with an effort of disarming or destroying the centres they feel are responsible for the manufacture of weapons. The reaction of United States against the communities has been considered to be derived from anger as well as pride of being a super power. The anger is the fact that nations they believed are less powerful than them are manufacturing weapons to destroy them as well as succeeding to come up with strategies that pull down one the key economic centres of the country.
The show revolves around the civil wars that were experienced in America as well as the 9/11 terrorist attack. War to United States is not a strange occurrence as it is one of the ways used to protect its interests and economy. The world wars were not just enough to to actually reveal to the country that it was lagging behind in terms of intelligence and weaponry. This saw heavy investments in the mentioned fields, which definitely had a cost on the taxpayers. As if this was not enough, the 2011 terrorist attack was a big shocker to a nation that thought had invested al it could to enhance the security of its people. The reaction to the attack was done in a rash without proper plan, consideration and evaluation. It was a big blow to the countries security where the government immediately deployed troops to Arab nations killing mostly the innocent while the main culprits were safely hiding.
The pain of seeing poor afghan women and children who were left homeless as well as without food was beyond comprehension. Many of them were shot, injured and even killed for what they did not understand. The aimless shooting that was carried out by the deployed troops who failed to recognize who the culprits were and instead killing people that had nothing to do with the attacks angered many humanitarian groups. United States is one of the nations that has shown kindness and support to humanity and such an act was least expected from the nation (Sangster, 2003). Even though the troops came with some humanitarian aid, it was not enough to kill the pain that was still being caused. It is unfortunate that for the time the troops were deployed in Afghanistan, there was little that was achieved in curbing terrorism and only pain caused not only to the poor in Afghanistan but also to the tax payers who were forced to pay more.
The biggest issue that has been displayed in the show is the fact that terrorists are looking for alternative unsuspected means off attack. It also reveals some of the risks and strategies that the intelligence units have to use to ensure the country is not attacked again. The anthrax episode, which has also been mentioned in the show, is just one of the ways that terrorists intended to attack in silence. These caused a lot of spur among citizens who became weary of the mails they received. Even though the situation was finally settled, it was an eye opener to the American intelligence unit that weapons alone may not be able to protect the nation from terrorists. This was also a section that invited many criticisms especially from the media. The show displays the techniques that were used by the intelligence service to ground the issue: it is a sad display that there is a possibility that the intelligent unit had to collaborate with the terrorists just to stop them from releasing the virus:
Show 24 simply being a show with no surety of truth in it. Many have condemned it for displaying what is probably contrary to the truth. even though it is an unreliable piece of information. It is usually through such shows that people get to know more of what was behind the scenes in the wake of America and terrorism (Peacock, 2007). Displaying to the viewers that there is a lot of compromise among intelligent officers and other top government officials to counter terrorism is misleading. One sure thing that is learned is the fact that the American government is desperate for safety against terrorism. The people are looking up towards the states to grant them the stability and security they desperately need. The American citizen may not be much concerned on the strategy that the government will use to guarantee their security as long as they are safe. The problem however arises when the government is unable to provide such basic requirements demanded by the citizens and instead receive criticism when the efforts fail to bear fruit.
After all the shows have been televised and people allowed making all the criticisms they have to. What remains is to find out why the information was displayed that way and the Implications it has towards national security. What I read from the show 24 is the fact that the government has reached a point of despair and desperation. It is frustrating to learn that the people that all such sacrifices are being done to them do not appreciate the efforts. Most of the strategies that may be used to counter terrorism in America may remain under cover, as the intelligence unit will never want to be deemed less competitive. The American society however needs to appreciate the fact that the government is doing all it can to ensure that the economy is stable and that its people are safe from terrorism. The efforts applied my not be enough or perfect, yet it is never over until it is over.
References
Miniter, R. (2013). Jack Bauer for President: Terrorism and Politics in 24. California: BenBella Books, Inc.
Peacock, S. (2007). Reading 24: TV against the clock. London: I. B. Tauris.
Sangster, J. (2003). 24: The Unofficial Guide. New York: Contender Entertainment Group.
