The Concept of Counter-Terrorism, Research Paper Example

This paper examines the concept of counter-terrorism as it relates to the purpose of the Department of Homeland Security. The focus is based upon the increased security efforts that have took place in the department post the 9/11 terrorist attack.

Counter-terrorism relates to the practice, tactics and techniques ( sometimes embodied in the single term strategy) to respond to threats from insurgents or terrorists; such threats may be implied, real acts or planned acts.  The term covers both the detection of potential acts of terrorism and the response that is made to such events.  In the USA the Department of Homeland Security provides counter measures and effective responses to terrorist threats.  One of the key departments being that of the Office of Intelligence and analysis.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is structured into a number of diverse departments. In relation to Counter-terrorism we need to focus on the activities in the following departments : 1) The Office of Intelligence and Analysis. This office has five main mandates of which four impact or directly relate to terrorist activities:- (i) Threat of radicalization and extremism. The top priority is focused upon radicalized Islam (Sunni and Shia groups), but they also  look at radicalized domestic groups. They do not monitor known extremists and their activities..” instead, we are interested in the radicalization process—why and how people who are attracted to radical beliefs cross the line into violence.” (Department of Homeland Security). (ii) Threats from particular groups entering the United States — “groups that could be exploited by terrorists or criminals to enter the Homeland legally or to bring in harmful materials.” (Department of Homeland Security).  Essentially a proactive planning department dealing with potential high risk events and taking precautionary or preventative measures. (iii) Threats to the Homeland’s critical infrastructure and key resources (CIKR).” Integration of source intelligence from the IC with information from critical infrastructure owners and operators, and, collaboratively with state and local fusion centers, provide a comprehensive tactical and strategic understanding of physical and cyber threats to the critical infrastructure, including threats from nation-states, international and domestic terrorism, and criminal enterprises.” (Department of Homeland Security). (iv) Weapons of mass destruction and health threats. ” We evaluate and establish a baseline of the actors, their claims, and their plans to conduct attacks involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials against the Homeland.”  (Department of Homeland Security).

Since the homeland terrorist action of 9/11, there is been a strong move toward establishing counter-terrorist measures.  It is considered that this has  no real form of explaining terrorism and cannot be simply defined as the acts of certain individuals or groups.  Another big factor is freedom of movement and the ease of movement from one location to another.  These demographic issues are playing a significant contribution to the emerging trends of global terrorism.

President Obama in a recent interview on homeland security, stated that he will make some significant changes to the Department of Homeland Security, in order to ramp up safety measures.  The administration will be injecting $5 billion through a shared security partnership scheme to enable the security services to defeat the threat of terrorism worldwide.

In 2007, the US Department of Homeland Security conducted a comprehensive counterterrorism exercise [exercise  TOPOFF].  This involve collaboration with Canada, Australia and the UK.  The exercise involved over 50,000 people on a full-scale simulated response to a radiological or biological attack.  Homeland security Secretary, Michael Chertoff stated “Exercises like TOPOFF help test our response capabilities at all levels and strengthen national preparedness”  (Homeland Security).

The Department of Homeland Security is split up into a wide number of departmental activities that deal with counter terrorism.  These in turn are further subdivided into a large number of subsidiary offices.  The main office includes: (a) protecting analysis and sharing information (b) aviation security (c) cyber security (d) chemical security (e) protecting infrastructure (f) law enforcement (f) fraud and counterfeiting (g) secure identification.  There are additional committees and sub working groups that include amongst others: (i) reporting incidents (ii).  Immigration issues (iii), publications and media (iv) legal regulations. ” Protecting the American people from terrorist threats is the founding purpose of the Department and our highest priority. The Department’s efforts to battle terrorism, include detecting explosives in public spaces and transportation networks, helping protect critical infrastructure and cyber networks from attack, detecting agents of biological warfare, and building information-sharing partnerships with state and local law enforcement that can enable law enforcement to mitigate threats.”  (Homeland Security).

The department has five main missions: 1.  Guarding against terrorism  2.  Securing the borders  3.  Enforcing immigration  4.  Improving responsiveness on disasters  5.  Maturing and unifying the department.

Guarding against terrorist threats is currently the highest priority.  The objective is to prepare the American people to be in a constant state of readiness is supposed to a constant state of fear.  The department continues to seek international collaboration in the sharing of information and intelligence and maintains links with law enforcement agencies.

Some of the latest initiatives in the counter-terrorist area include: 1.  Stronger international and domestic partnerships.  A new law enforcement  agency has been set up to deal with the international problem of arms and drug trafficking.  Considerable improvements being made in the area of scientific research. 2.  Transportation and infrastructure — the department is allocating over $1 billion in recovery act funds for airport security systems.  Since 9/11, the department is now screening 50% of their cargo on domestic craft and 100% of cargo now screened on more than 95% of flights. 3.  Protecting critical infrastructure — implementation of the chemical facility antiterrorism act and improved recording of chemical holdings.  Over $388 million has been allocated to protect key infrastructure establishments in the United States from acts of terrorism. 4.  Cyber crime — the department works with other key US agencies in order to develop appropriate response measurements against cyber crimes carried out in the United States for his dominions overseas.

The Department of Homeland Security  also follows the president’s direction in terms of taking the lead operational role in this area.  The main mission is one of the deterrence. ” Protecting the American people from terrorist threats is our founding principle and our highest priority. This is an effort where everyone – families and communities, first responders, the private sector, state and local governments, as well as the federal government – has an important role to play. We will direct every resource available toward prevention and preparedness, and empower Americans to live in a constant state of readiness, not a constant state of fear.”  (Department of Homeland Security).

There is no doubt that the current administration in the US takes counter-terrorism extremely seriously. President Obama having indicated that the protection of the American people remains his top priority.  We have recently seen in excess of $388 million injected into improvement of Airport security measures, A new law enforcement agency in the DHS to deal with arms and drug trafficking, together with terrorist activities in this area. One of the most challenging aspects is that of “freedom of movement” and the portability of improvised explosive devices.  Bombings in Madrid and London have illustrated how easy it is for terrorists to move freely amongst society and use opportunities to create havoc.  This is truly a global operation and will take the joint collaboration of the international community to succeed.

Works Cited

Department of Homeland Security. Department of Homeland Security. 26 1 2010. 21 2 2010 <http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/gc_1220886590914.shtm#content>.

Homeland Security. Homeland Security. 24 9 2007. 25 2 2010. —. Homeland Security. 1 2 2010. 25 2 2010 <http://www.exercise.dhs.gov/files/counterterrorism.shtm>.

Lia, Brynjar. Globalization and the Future of Terrorism: Patterns and Predictions. 2005. 21 2 2010 <http://www.uwosh.edu/isrvm/bookreviews/docs/18_4.pdf>.

Nakashima, Ellen. Intelligence chief acknowledges U.S. may target Americans involved in terrorism. 4 2 2010. 21 2 2010 <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/03/AR2010020303968.html>.