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November 2006                                                                            Volume 11 - Number 2

Perspectives...

Personal Perception of Terrorism Risk: NFL Dirty Bomb ThreatA Perception of the Terrorism Risk in the United States
By Mike Stempki

It’s no accident that the United States hasn’t suffered a major terrorism attack since September 11, 2001. More personnel then ever in the history of the United States are working to prevent another catastrophic terrorism attack. However, regardless of our commitment both domestically and abroad; the U.S. is still at a serious threat level of being attacked domestically and abroad from terrorist groups. One would argue that since we haven’t been hit in six years, then the government must be doing an excellent job of preventing al-Qaeda or another terrorist group from attacking us. Even though we are doing a good job at preventing terror attacks, we must not let our guard down.  One would think that al-Qaeda would start looking at softer targets such as shopping malls or amusement parks as targets of terrorist attacks. These targets would be relatively easy to strike but al-Qaeda plans for the major attack that does the most damage economically and psychologically. Time is literally on their side and the more they wait then the more relaxed people will become. Until Al-Qaeda starts hitting softer targets, we need to focus on the targets that will do the most damage to our national security such as government and economic institutions. We need to continue to be vigilant in the war on terrorism and I firmly believe the terrorism risk in the United States is as high as ever.

Terrorism is extremely effective when one faction is inferior to a larger foe much like how al-Qaeda matches up against the United States. A large modern military has difficulty matching up against groups that use hit and run tactics much like the Vietcong used against U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. The unconventional style of warfare is growing in popularity due to the insurgency tactics in Iraq, Afghanistan, and terror attacks perpetrated around the world. Anybody with a little creativity and imagination could implement a terrorist attack. A weapon of mass destruction, (WMD) can literally be made from anything nowadays. Technology continues to grow at an alarming pace and when technology grows it can be used for the good of mankind and also for evil and destructive purposes. For instance, nuclear weapon technology is growing at an alarming rate. More countries today have the capability of nuclear weaponry then ever before and the possibility of these weapons falling into the wrong hands is a major concern for not only the U.S. but other countries as well. Chemical and biological weapons have been used very little as a means of a terrorist attack but also must not go unnoticed.  

According to U.S. intelligence agencies, the U.S. government’s occupation and war in Iraq has added to the threat level from Islamic fundamentalist and has grown since the September 11, attacks. A classified National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) has proclaimed that the war in Iraq has increased Islamic Jihad and had increased the terror threat around the world. The intelligence estimate was completed in April and is the first formal calculation of global terrorism by U.S. intelligence since the invasion of Iraq. The approximation asserts that Islamic radicalism is increasing around the globe rather then decreasing.
One of the most important preventive steps we can take as a nation is to educate the people regarding terrorist tactics. The general public is far more perceptive of suspicious activity after 911 then ever before and the more the public is aware of current terror tactics the safer we’ll be. However, making information public can act as a double edge sword in the fight against terrorism because terrorist monitor the news media also, but keeping the public abreast of current terror threats greatly out weighs the negatives. Because terror attacks are relatively easy to implement and orchestrate; I believe the threat level will be high for years to come until we can effectively figure out a diplomatic approach to the grievances of Islamic fundamentalist. Until then, we need to work together as a nation to win the war on terrorism.



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