International Threats, Essay Example

There are three dominant terrorist groups in the world today.  These are Islamic Jihad, Al-Qaeda and Hamas. The goals and aims of these organizations are explained below.

Islamic Jihad

This terrorist group was formed by the more militant Palestinian groups in 1970. They are stated to have the following goals: ” the creation of an Islamic Palestinian state and the destruction of Israel through holy war. Specializes in suicide bombings”  (Isseroff).  The group is thought to have originated from a splinter group called  ‘ the Islamic brotherhood’ in the 1970’s  The group is believed to have links with the Al-Qaeda terrorist group. ” The Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) is the most radical terrorist organization ?operating in the Palestinian arena. It was established in 1981 by two Islamist ?activists in the Gaza Strip, Dr. Fathi `Abd al-`Aziz Shiqaqi, a physician from ?Rafah, and Shaykh `Abd al-`Aziz `Awda, a preacher from the Jabaliyya refugee ?camp.”  (Isseroff).

Al-Qaeda

This terrorist network grew from a network of volunteers that went to Afghanistan to fight with the Taliban against the Russian Army. They fought under the flag of Islam to free Afghanistan from communist invaders and it was stated these “Arab afghans” were highly motivated resistance fighters ” Al-Qaeda, meaning “the base”, was created in 1989 as Soviet forces withdrew from Afghanistan and Osama Bin Laden and his colleagues began looking for new jihads”  (BBC News).  The organization has since expanded its operations globally and is seen in some 50 countries across the world.  The terrorist group has two prime goals (i) the destruction of Israel and (ii) The elimination of America from all Islamic states. ” The principal stated aims of al-Qaeda are to drive Americans and American influence out of all Muslim nations, especially Saudi Arabia; destroy Israel; and topple pro-Western dictatorships around the Middle East. Bin Laden has also said that he wishes to unite all Muslims and establish, by force if necessary, an Islamic nation adhering to the rule of the first Caliphs.” (Laura Hayes)

Hamas

Hamas may be regarded as the largest and most influential of the Palestinian terrorist organizations. Hamas was formed out of the Muslim brotherhood in Egypt. It refuses to recognize the State of Israel and supports the destruction of same.  Hamas have been responsible for raising the tension with Israel and it is widely held that Iran has been supplying them with arms to fight Israel.  ” The response was an air assault in late December and, in the first week of 2009, a full blown Israeli invasion of the territory.” Whilst Hamas is linked solidly to the cause of the Palestinians it has been intimated by Israel that there are links to both Al Qaeda and the Islamic Jihad group.

There are some common threads between each terrorist group,  namely : (i) The non recognition and destruction of Israel as a State (ii) The removal of US armed forces and influences from all Islamic countries; particularly in Afghanistan and the Middle East.

The threat to the United States

We have already seen bombings occur on the transportation systems of London (UK) and Madrid (Spain). After 9/11 it is clear that other targets in the USA are within striking distance of these terrorist groups. There is no doubt that of these groups Al Qaeda poses the biggest threat to the USA because of its global network of fanatical followers.  Even if we catch the leaders of these terrorist groups they will continue to pose a threat because of the ideologies that will be carried on by others ” Even if Osama bin Laden is captured or killed tomorrow, Muslim extremists will continue to attack the United States for decades to come.”  (Phillips).

We are perhaps now in the most dangerous phase of the war on terror with the emergence of Iran as a nuclear power and the instability of Pakistan which is already a nuclear power.  Should weapons of mass destruction fall into the hands of Al Qaeda they will impose a serious security threat to the USA, Israel, UK, and Europe in particular.  Such a threat is beyond comprehension to the State of Israel who may well take unilateral action to prevent this. ” The coming to power of an extremist Islamist government possibly could lead to the transfer of nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction to al-Qaeda or other terrorists favoured by that regime.”  (Phillips).

The USA is actively seeking out the leaders of these terrorist groups and working with the international community towards a program of safety measures in a proactive policy towards prevention of terrorists using weapons of mass destruction.

Works Cited

BBC News. Al-Qaeda’s origins and links. 2010. 9 8 2010 <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1670089.stm>.

Isseroff, Ami. Zionism and Israel – Encyclopedic Dictionary. 2005. 9 8 2010 <http://www.zionism-israel.com/dic/Islamic_Jihad.htm>.

Laura Hayes, Borgna Brunner, and Beth Rowen. Al-Qaeda. 2007. 9 8 2010 <http://www.infoplease.com/spot/al-qaeda-terrorism.html#axzz0wApl1tZC>.

Phillips, James. The Evolving Al-Qaeda Threat. 17 3 2006. 9 8 2010 <http://www.heritage.org/Research/Lecture/The-Evolving-Al-Qaeda-Threat>.