Antiterrorism Laws of the United States, Essay Example

Terrorism has today become a world phenomenon and every single country has to be ready to protect its citizens from attacks. Terrorism creates fear for ideological or political goals. The United States of America has created a number of laws to help defend the lives of its people. This paper will focus on these laws, describing their main goals and objectives, and provide a reader with my own opinion on how to protect our country from terrorist attacks.

The Export Administration Act is meant to inspect countries, which finance or offer a base of operation for terrorist groups, or which take part in terrorist action. “Individuals found guilty of willful violations could face a fine up to $250,000 and a possible 10 years imprisonment, and corporations could be fined $1 million or five times the value of the exports” (Export Administration Act Reauthorized, 2000). Comprehensive Anti­terrorism Act strengthens American laws against terrorism, banns fundraising for terrorist groups, prosecutes acts of terrorism, and restricts immigration laws. The USA Patriot Act increases the power of law enforcement agencies to explore telephone and other ways of communication for terrorist content, regulate financial transactions, and expand the powers of immigration authorities. “The purpose of the USA PATRIOT Act is to deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world, to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools, and other purposes” (USA PATRIOT Act, 2009).

In my opinion, there is no universal law to deter terrorist attacks or to fight terrorism globally. Governments all over the world have to unite in one offensive team to financially block terrorist groups, locate the groups’ leaders and liquidate them, and work hard to teach local people to fight against terrorists. There is no ultimate defense method. The only possible solution is to act and act as one antiterrorist team.

References

Export Administration Act Reauthorized. (2000). Arms Control Association. Retrieved May 6, 2009, from http://www.armscontrol.org/node/3049

USA PATRIOT Act. (2009). Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Retrieved  May 6, 2009, from http://www.fincen.gov/statutes_regs/patriot/index.html