The War on Terror
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- Category: Politics: Political Science
- Date Submitted: 11/14/2012 06:29 AM
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The War On Terror
International Terrorism
Introduction:
In the following pages I would like to examine the concept of the global “war on terror”. I will describe it as a metaphor that needs to be examined because it has been accepted uncritically and applied literally. It is my position that the “war on terror” as we have employed it has done more to promote terrorism then to reduce it. It certainly has not prevented terrorist attacks around the world, yet it has diverted our attention from other priorities, damaged our credibility and has threatened our liberties and undermined our democracy. (Soros 2005) With the recent killing of Osama Bin Laden we should declare and end to the “war on terror” and find a better way, to continue the fight against terrorism.
History of the War on Terror:
President Bush chose the term "war on terror" to characterize the U.S. conflict with radical Islamic extremists. This was contrary to the advice of his top aides who suggested he use the term "global struggle against violent extremism." Nevertheless the September 2001 terrorist attacks required that President Bush take action against terrorism. Terrorism is considered as a problem not just for the United States, but also for all nations. (Ebsco Library 1 2012)
Soon after the September 2001 attacks, the United States faced a series of biological attacks in the form of anthrax laced letters. These letters were responsible for the lives of five Americans. These letters, are considered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to represent the worst biological attack in American history. The confluence of these two strings of events, the airplanes used as missiles and the letters laced with anthrax; led to extensive changes in the United States' foreign and domestic policy. These changes included the development of the USA PATRIOT Act and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, both of which were designed to overhaul the country's surveillance and...
International Terrorism
Introduction:
In the following pages I would like to examine the concept of the global “war on terror”. I will describe it as a metaphor that needs to be examined because it has been accepted uncritically and applied literally. It is my position that the “war on terror” as we have employed it has done more to promote terrorism then to reduce it. It certainly has not prevented terrorist attacks around the world, yet it has diverted our attention from other priorities, damaged our credibility and has threatened our liberties and undermined our democracy. (Soros 2005) With the recent killing of Osama Bin Laden we should declare and end to the “war on terror” and find a better way, to continue the fight against terrorism.
History of the War on Terror:
President Bush chose the term "war on terror" to characterize the U.S. conflict with radical Islamic extremists. This was contrary to the advice of his top aides who suggested he use the term "global struggle against violent extremism." Nevertheless the September 2001 terrorist attacks required that President Bush take action against terrorism. Terrorism is considered as a problem not just for the United States, but also for all nations. (Ebsco Library 1 2012)
Soon after the September 2001 attacks, the United States faced a series of biological attacks in the form of anthrax laced letters. These letters were responsible for the lives of five Americans. These letters, are considered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to represent the worst biological attack in American history. The confluence of these two strings of events, the airplanes used as missiles and the letters laced with anthrax; led to extensive changes in the United States' foreign and domestic policy. These changes included the development of the USA PATRIOT Act and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, both of which were designed to overhaul the country's surveillance and...