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Arguably, terrorism is one of the global threats. As a matter of fact, politics and research on terrorism changed irretrievably after the Pentagon and the World Trade Center 9/11 attacks. The link between terrorism and religion and the increase of transnational organizations on terrorism, for example AL-Qaeda has made the research on counter-terrorism efforts and terrorism a reality. The 9/11 attacks raised a lot of controversies and documentaries trying to make the people of America understand what exactly happened on this fateful day. The political, security, as well as social landscape in the world, and arguably USA changed tremendously after the 9/11 attack. This led to the establishment of Department of Homeland Security, Patriot Act, as well as subsequent policies pertaining war on terror. In the 21st century, many Americans ask why they are the target of terrorism. Many reasons have been raised to elaborate of the link between America and terrorism in the global arena. Perhaps, the war on terror is very complex, in that in some occasions, concerned stakeholders wonder if the war on terror will be won in the world.
Undeniably, the arrival of 21st century was accompanied by fears of various terrorism attacks especially in United States. Many agencies in United States government issues various unprecedented warnings on the possibility terror attacks, whereby several arrests were made in Jordan, Canada, and United States. Many issues have been raised to ascertain the reasons why America is the main target of terrorism (Bodansky 23). America is one of the global superpowers, and in one way or another then uses its powers in various fields to rule the world. In fact, few opinions and surveys carried out after the September 11 showed that American foreign policy has been part of the motivating factors towards terror attacks in America.
United States of America is the most preferred target for terrorism in the world today. Perhaps, scholar has developed the reasons behind this, but the fact behind it is far much for become a reality. America is the target of terrorism because they are they are the only world super power who has declared and taken a prominent decision on the war on terror. In fact, terrorist send a message to the world that, if they can carry out a successful attack on American soil, it can do it anywhere else in the globe (Croft 220). America has changed the world in various ways and for all people living in the modern era. The western civilization and sanctum of capitalism has been carried out by United States, making it a main target of terrorism. As a matter of fact, hitting united states is a main goal of terrorist (Zeitgeist).
Global extremists such as Jihadists run down the influence of United States decadence on several traditional societies. In fact, what drive the hatred are the sexual innuendos that exist in American television programs and movies. Hence, they believe America is using its powers to influence the world negatively. The extremists believe that most issues such as homosexuality and lesbianism is been tolerated in America and is swiftly going global (Zeitgeist). Additionally, the politicians and priest pedophiles in America are part of sexual abusers and masters of moral decay; hence, according to Jihad extremist there is a lot of moral decay in the western region. In this scenario, terrorist believe that America is the most and largest influential nation on modern issues that are secular in traditional standards. Therefore, they assert that if they can attack America, they will influence the entire world.
According to terrorists, United States calls itself the security and police officer of the entire globe, whereby it acts on the same way. Therefore, America in most cases launches strikes unilaterally on what they believe are rogue regimes in the world. They use its military to attack a sovereign nation for their own interest. The terrorists target America because they believe they are over stepping on their posers and sovereignty of other nations (Bodansky 25). American has been a proud nation for many decades and belief that they cannot be vulnerable to terrorist attacks. Before the September 11 attack, several warnings had been stated, but American security did not take much interest. In fact, the controversies raised showed that the American security forces were in a position to prevent6 the attack, leading to raising of questions whether the attack was planned by the government.
In the conspiracy theories, it is controversial how the World Trade Center and pentagon collapsed. Up to date, the people of America still want to know what exactly happened during the September 11. Before the September 11 attack, the government of America was contended to let things take its course, instead of implementing changes so as to conserve its resources and guarantee its people security. America has given the terrorist all the reason to target them; this is that no country in the world dominates the global media than America. By targeting United States, all people allied to terrorist are able to capture and dominate the global arena. Every time terrorists attack Americans, they increase their popularity and global fear (Croft 267).
America is very active in offering foreign aid to developing countries. Assistance pay tremendous role in influence the worlds and persuading countries to go in line with United States on issues of political, economic and social interest. Basically, it is easy to use dependence to manipulate other nation. According to terrorists, America uses foreign aid to ensure that other countries depend fully of partly on them. This move is opposed by the terrorism; hence, their main target if America in order to make them reduce their aid, and allow other nations to be independent (Zeitgeist).
There are several reasons why America is the target of terrorists. The possible reasons are based on political stance, geography, economic, and religious issues. The political stance of America in the global arena is to maintain and promote peace. Most of the American leaders and policies are directed towards this special mission. In this scenario, many people view that Americas is more concerned with affairs that do not involve them. The more controversial situation is when United States meddles with the affairs of Middle East. The only way to hit back at such powerful state is through indirect means, which is terror (Zeitgeist).
Another reason why America is the target is because of religion. In United States, most of its population is Christians. Christianity is not only a religion, but the main factor that molds the life’s of American people. The issue of religion has been controversial; this is because the Muslim community claims that Islam are not terrorism. Foreign policy research scholars in United States assert that democracy is seen as un-Islamic according to Islamic terrorism ideologies. They hate capitalism in the world, and are in support of individualism; hence, terrorist target America to eliminate capitalistic beliefs.
Economically, America is in a state of prosperity, whereby its citizen enjoys economic progress and development. Terrorist believe that America achieved economic prosperity because of oppressing the nations in the world. Inequalities of resource distribution have been the main issue in the world. This is in another way simplified to be the poverty factor, those groups that feel deprived rebel. Perhaps, the terrorists target America as a way of revenging on the oppression caused by America on other nations. On a social conflict perspective, Americans are targeted because of social class conflict. In the 21st century, the rich nations continue to be richer, while poor nation continue to trail in poverty. Terrorist blame America for the poverty issues, as well as underdevelopment of other nations, yet America is not the cause of it (Valeri & Borgeson 45).
The war on terror is very tricky and difficult, but the people and leaders of America are determined to win. The election carried out in November 5, showed that the public supported the war against terror. Sine, the September 11, America declared war against terror by establishing policies to counter terrorism. Terrorism is not a well-defined organization; hence, the declaration of war against such a group does not clearly fit. For example, Al Qaida are found in various nations in the world, whereby some of these nations allow them to stay safe. Efforts of America to eliminate terrorism are sometimes rendered useless in such situation (Zeitgeist).
Debates have been underway on how to eliminate terror in the globe, especially in America. But, since terror groups do not come public and express their concerns it is difficult to win the war against terror. Bush government stressed the need to completely be on the offensive side. Some of the strategies include deployment of U.S military and promote democracy. War on terror is very challenging, but it can be reduced globally (Zeitgeist). Terrorists develop new strategies and techniques making it complicated for the United States government to counter terrorism. Scholars assert that terrorism is a phenomenon that is socially constructed, whereby its way of complexion is seldom acknowledged. America has in most cases reduced the standards of terrorism; hence, the efforts put in place do not fully counter terrorism (Arnold 1).
Generally, the presence of domestic terrorism in America makes it difficult to win against the war on terror. Undeniably, politicians and political groups have practiced terrorism in order to further their objectives. Studies show that the left and the right wing of political, social, economic and religious groups practice terrorism. Just like any other war, the war on terror is not an exception, fighting must stop so that progress on human rights, economic injustice, social issues and political issues takes place. Hence, since terrorist continue to fight and American counters them, little progress will be achieved (Arnold 1). Winning the war against terror is relative; it has actually taken long for it to end. For example, some of the main leaders of terrorism groups have been killed, but terrorism arracks still take place. In fact, terrorism is still ranked the biggest threat in United States and the entire world. Additionally, countering terrorism is very costly for United States, making it difficult to win the war. Perhaps, the terrorists change tactics and become more sophisticated daily, especially with the technological advancement. Terrorism can be reduced, but it is very hard to completely win the war against terror.
Work Cited
Arnold, T. Can We Win The War On Terrorism? Retrieved at
http://www.rense.com/general31/waron.htm.
Bodansky, Y. Target America & the West: Terrorism Today. New York: Springer, 1993
Croft, S. Culture, Crisis and America’s War on Terror. Cambridge: Cambridge Press, 2006. 267
Valeri, R & Borgeson, K. Terrorism in America. London: Springer, 2009
Zeitgeist. All the World’s a Stage. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j312HjsxQZE
