Anti-terrorism
Anti-terrorism efforts acquired a new bite after terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York and other targets on September 11th 2001. In years past, anti-terrorism efforts were sporadic and limited to select countries. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, anti-terrorism became a global movement, encompassing nations across the planet. The subsequent terrorist bombings in Bali, Madrid and London strengthened the resolve of the USA and its allies to fight terrorism on a global scale.
The anti-terrorism efforts in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks took various forms such as:
- launching military offensives,
- revamping up internal security
- cutting off funds to terrorists
- strengthening borders.
The biggest military operation in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks was the invasion of Afghanistan by the USA. The US government was forced to invade Afghanistan after the ruling Taliban government refused to hand over the alleged mastermind behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks: Osama Bin Laden. Thereafter, the US government launched military offensives in various parts of the world against terrorist organisation, Al-Qaeda.
Anti-terrorism measures post 9/11
Furthermore, the US government set up a Combined Joint Task Force in October 2002 in the Horn of Africa—which comprises Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, and Yemen—to fight terrorism. The US government also helped the Philippines government tackle the militant Abu Sayyaf group besides running undercover operations against terrorists through the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
The anti-terrorism efforts also include tightening of internal security in most countries. The USA, for instance, initiated reforms at both the Federal Bureau of Intelligence (FBI) and the CIA. The Congressional Joint Inquiry into the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001, for instance, criticised the FBI for failing to discharge counterterrorism duties in a competent manner. The FBI responded by combining various intelligence support units into an integrated intelligence programme.
In addition, the USA also expanded and strengthened the capabilities of the CIA for the purpose of anti-terrorism. The US government also created a new position, National Intelligence Director, to coordinate anti terrorism intelligence work across agencies and counsel the US president on intelligence issues.
Furthermore, the US government set up the new National Counter-Terrorism Centre for serving as a clearing house for intelligence on terrorists. The USA also set up the Department of Homeland Security under the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to coordinate operations in the aftermath of future terrorist attacks and natural disasters. The USA has also enacted Terrorism Risk Insurance Act 2002 wherein the government and the private insurers agreed to foot the bill for damage caused by any terrorist attack in the three-year period ending 2005.
Anti-terrorism measures in the UK
Close ally, the UK also initiated measures to strengthen internal security and anti-terrorism measures. The UK government set up the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre for providing threat assessments to all departments and agencies fighting terrorism.
Identifying and stopping funds-flow to terrorists has become a key element of the anti-terrorism efforts. The USA Patriot Act has helped enforcement officials cut off funds supply to terrorists. The United Nations has also passed several resolutions for stopping funds-flow to terrorists such as the UN Security Council Resolutions and the UN Convention on Terrorism.
The USA and its allies as part of anti-terrorism efforts are strengthening checks at borders too. The USA has launched a US$10-billion Visitor and Immigrant Status Technology programme for tracking foreign visitors and immigrants. The UK government besides exchanging information about lost and stolen passports with other countries, is improving coordination between agencies such as the Immigration Service; HM Customs and Excise; and the police force. Clearly, a sense of urgency has crept into the anti-terrorism efforts of many countries in the aftermath of 9/11 terrorist attacks.
|
