Navigating International Terrorism from an American Point of View

The events of September 11th (9/11) permanently altered the security foundations of the United States. 9/11 not only destabilized American dominance over global operations but also raised questions about the direction of the United States’ position in world politics. Terrorist activities are not a new development in the international realm, but 9/11 has since prompted the United States specifically to dedicate more time and attention toward the fight against terror.

In addressing terrorism, the major problem the international community faces is defining what constitutes terrorism and the legal regulations needed to address it. This problem stems from the international community’s inability to pinpoint a single group or individual responsible, as terrorist groups tend to have a broad range of activities and sometimes operate across multiple regions.

Post-9/11, the international scope of terrorism has expanded as citizens have adapted to a “new normal,” which includes the fearful possibility of a future, sudden terrorist attack. And, within this sphere, the United States’ spending on counterterrorism efforts, such as advanced technology and special operations, have not always proven fruitful, especially since those funds could have been invested in domestic safety and security. Counterterrorism spending has become a heated subject of public debate through American involvement in the politics of the Middle East, mostly through military intervention.

Suicide attacks were almost nonexistant before 9/11, after which they skyrocketed because Osama Bin Laden declared that all American citizens were legitimate targets. In response, the U.S. completely transformed its domestic security and foreign policy through becoming heavily involved in the Middle East. Suicide bombings in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq are now a regular occurrence and often a preferred weapon for terrorist organizations. In fact, Al Qaeda is known for its ability to carry out deadly suicide bombings and administer a large numbers of civilian casualties. 

In response, the United States has increased its military intervention in this region, thus deeply affecting its relationship with the Muslim world. The United States has failed to coordinate with regional governments to address the rise of suicide bombings. For instance, governments have failed to identify legitimate suicide vest factories or properly regulate explosive munitions stockpiles. Overall, the United States must learn how facilitate cooperation in order to address the transnational smuggling networks and prevent future suicide bombings.

Recent events in Afghanistan have fueled fears that the Taliban are a larger threat now to the United States (and the West) with their takeover of the country. The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 was characterized by a sharp partisan divide and debates about whether the United States should accept refugees from Afghanistan. While Democrats were more in favor of withdrawing troops, Republicans, on the other hand, advocated for the continued posting of troops to “defend against terrorism.” 

Many Americans now worry about America’s ability to conduct counterterrorism operations after seeing the aftermath of the U.S. occupation of Afghanistan. After the U.S. withdrew in 2021, Afghanistan appears to be in a similar or worse political state prior to 9/11, thus reversing the twenty years of progress. Many fear Afghanistan could become a terrorist safe haven, as the Taliban is firmly in control of the country. 

The once-widespread belief about the unquestionable power of the United States has dwindled over the years, as American authority over international politics has not always contributed to a lasting, productive strategy. In navigating foreign policy, the United States has failed to guarantee enduring peace and independence. The current American strategy has not completely protected the United States from acts of terror, and furthermore, the country has not been successful in adopting a successful, aggressive strategy of military intervention, specifically in the Middle East. Thus, the United States must work on finding new approaches. For instance, the United States could encourage regional partners to confront terrorist groups abroad and focus on specific threats against the American homeland. The United States could also incorporate durable peacebuilding approaches to combat instability and support various partners in the area in building mechanisms to resolve conflicts.

At the international level, the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency have developed international legal instruments to prevent future attacks, including adopting a U.N. Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy that enhances national, regional, and international efforts to counter terrorism. Since terrorism has no borders, nationality, or religion, the international community must learn to work together and create a system with binding resolutions to address terrorism.

Evidently, the implications of international terrorism extend far beyond immediate security concerns of individual nations. Terrorism threatens the very framework of global security through creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty and undermining the rule of law. Moving forward, the United States and international community must learn to act as partners in promoting cooperation against terrorism.

Image source: CPL Sam Shepherd