Counterterrorism, Essay Example

The landscape of the United States after 9/11 changed severely.  From the U.S. Government to its citizens, the United States rallied around its efforts and commitment to counterterrorism and maintaining its presence as a country.  Pride and hope remains two resulting reactions from the citizens of the United States.

Domestic Reactions

There have been many effects upon those in the United States following the 9/11 attacks.  From the U.S. Government to its citizens, many have been forced to deal with the blow the event has caused on many levels.  There have been a range of conclusions which have developed following the attacks on American soil.

United States Government

The reaction from the United States Government can be seen today.  Affected by the drastic attacks within the border of the United States of the people it represents, the Government sought out terrorists and looked at defensive efforts.  In preventing further occasions and in apprehending current terrorists and threats to America, the United States Government was certainly affected by the attacks of 9/11.

The U.S. Government of course went after terrorist threats.  As stated by Litwak, “The Bush administration perceived Iraq through the ‘prism of 9/11’ and saw an imperative for military action to topple the Saddam Hussein regime” (2007, p.320).  Upon this example, the United States Government wanted to identify those nations that could be harboring terrorist threats.  From Iraq to other nations, foreign policy in the United States was forever changed.

Towards Iraq and other dangerous countries, the United States Government was focused on instituting regime changes.  The U.S. Government because extremely focused on preventing countries, such as Iraq, Iran, North Korea, and Libya, from obtaining weapons of mass destruction (WMD).  Countries such as these were seen to harbor aggressive intentions towards the United States.

This was seen in the United States’ relationship with India.  Speaking of the commitment towards preventing more dangerous countries in obtaining WMD, Litwak states, “This approach was reflected in Washington’s cultivation of a strategic relationship with India, a nuclear weapons state outside the international nonproliferation treaty regime” (2007, p. 321).  Later India was dubbed a “responsible state” by President Bush (p. 321).  From this it can be seen how the U.S. Government is dedicated to this, in their relationship with a country such as India, whom may have not received such praise if the events from 9/11 and the subsequent direction were not taken.

The United States Government was also affected by 9/11, in terms of economics.  Taylor states that “All wars have an international finance front, and the global war on terror is no different” (2007, xii).  Without getting into the truly deep and diverse waters of the economic front of the war, it is more than reasonable to suggest its importance to the war.  Taylor believes this front to be essential to winning the war (xiii).  Clearly in addition to foreign policy, the United States Government was greatly affected by 9/11, which can be seen in terms of the economy as well.

Citizens

The reaction from United States citizens varied on many different levels.  Beyond normal consequential feelings of fear and shock, the nation rallied around its country in support.  While there were negative consequences in the actions of United States citizens, the general feelings in the aftermath of 9/11 were normally that of pride.

Support

The nation rallied around its leaders and country.  The United States has a history of patriotism that extends within its citizens.  In the wake of the attacks of 9/11, the first visible sign of its citizens was in the way in which the citizens carried themselves.  Full of pride and hope, they rallied around the country in hopes of improvement.

This can be seen easily following the attacks.  The approval rating of President Bush rose to 90% immediately following the attacks.  Within New York and around the United States, the mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani was praised for his efforts and leadership in response to the events.

The United States citizens were also active in supporting the families of those affected in the attacks.  Many organizations, such as the Red Cross, were benefited in their efforts to support victims of the 9/11 tragedy.  The nationwide response to the 9/11 attacks can be seen in its full development, with many non-profit organizations, communities, schools, and churches doing what they can to help out in the efforts following the attacks.  The United States citizens were eager to support these efforts and the country as a whole.

Sociological Reactions

The general feeling of the United States citizens was that of fear and anxiety, in addition to those of support.  Although they were confident in their country’s dedication to counterterrorism efforts, tensions were high following the attacks.  Over time citizens were generally able to feel more comfortable, likely from increased attention from the media and United States Government in attempts to protect the borders of the United States from future terrorist threats.

Not all reactions were positive, however.  In response to the attacks that were committed, hate crimes increased across the United States after 9/11.  This was especially true for those who were or resembled Middle Easterners.  In examples of attacks against mosques, religions buildings, and other individuals in different contexts, racial stereotypes were increased following the 9/11 attacks.

International Aspects

The international aspects of the United States from 9/11 are complicated, as one might suspect.  While the United States was the victim of these tragic attacks, not all nations are particularly happy regarding the power that stands in the Western Hemisphere.  As a result, this has brought many to deal with the vast questions that surround the international worldview of those within the United States.

View from Other Countries

Other countries have a long history of general views regarding the United States.  While there are current countries who share close or distant bonds with the United States, for clear reasons, this is not the case for others.  This certainly comes into play when the worldview of the United States’ citizens is questioned.

Outside countries have mixed reactions to the dealings of the United States.  As Farber states:

Both (essayists) argue that the blame for widespread misperceptions of the United States must be shared.  While the United States often fails to communicate with appropriate sensitivity, transparency, and respect, other nations sometimes lack the public discourse and institutional structures their citizens need to make knowledgeable judgments about the United States. (2007, xiv)

In these assumptions, it is clear to state that countries have mixed feelings regarding the superpower the United States is within the world, from economy to strength of any kind.  As a result, these positive, negative, and mixed feelings create those which Americans must react and draw their own conclusions and feelings from.

Reactions

The citizens of the United States have a number of reactions upon the international scene.  Standing beside their countries, United States citizens take pride in their country, notably after the United States has declared their commitment to counterterrorism around the world.  Citizens want other nations and citizens of those nations to be aware of their pride and strength as a nation.

The result from the citizens of the United States is one of pride and hope.  Taking pride in the power and commitment of their country, citizens are able to take pride in their country.  As a result, U.S. citizens are aware of the positive and negative outlook of the other countries around the world.  In leading other nations as the global power that it is, the United States and its citizens have a basic worldview of leadership, power, and pride.

Conclusion

The United States was able to redeem itself after the devastating attacks from 9/11.  The United States Government was able to devote itself to efforts in the aftermath of 9/11, from strengthening its nation to its presence in terrorism and the economy.  It also was able to take charge in efforts to prevent a further blow to the nation, in either regard.

The citizens of the United States are now strengthened from the events.  While the scars remain from the events, the citizens have displayed commitment and pride in the face of 9/11.  These feelings carry outward to the international scene, where pride fills citizens as global relations with other countries is hoped to be strengthened, in terrorism and on other fronts.

References

Farber, David. (2007). What They Think of Us: International Perceptions of the United States since 9/11. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Kashmeri, Sarwar. (2007). American and Europe After 9/11: The Great Divide. Westport, CT: Praeger Security International.

Litwak, Robert. (2007). Regime Change: U.S. Strategy through the Prism of 9/11. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press.

Taylor, John. (2007). Global Financial Warriors: The Untold Story of International Finance in the Post-9/11 World.  New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company.