Terrorist Attack

Terrorist attacks have led to a global war on terrorism led by developed countries such as the USA and UK.

The USA and its allies have declared a war on terrorism as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. On September 11th 2001, two US domestic commercial airplanes, hijacked by Al-Qaeda terrorists, crashed into the twin towers of World Trade Center in New York. The twin towers collapsed shortly thereafter.

Of the other two domestic commercial airplanes hijacked by Al-Qaeda terrorists, one crashed into the Pentagon the headquarters of the US Department of Defence in Arlington County, Virginia. The other plane crash-landed in a rural field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Although the USA has been the target of terrorist attacks, the previous attacks were not on the level of the 9/11 terrorist attacks either psychologically or physically. By striking at the heart of the USA, these terrorist attacks not only caused death and destruction, but also shattered the aura of invincibility surrounding the USA. If the 9/11 terrorist attacks proved that the most powerful nation on the planet was vulnerable to acts of terrorism, subsequent terrorist attacks proved that other countries were equally at risk.

On March 11th 2004, terrorists bombed commuter trains in Madrid killing 191 people and causing injuries to 1,460 people. The government held the Basque separatist group, ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna), responsible for the terrorist attack—an allegation which ETA denied.  In early July 2005, terrorists set off four bombs in underground trains and a double-decker bus in London, killing over 50 people and wounding more than 700 people.

The above terrorist attacks strengthened the resolve of governments worldwide to fight terrorism.

Preventing terrorist attacks

The USA enacted the Homeland Security Act of 2002, under which the US Department of Homeland Security was set up to provide a quick and comprehensive federal response to future terrorist attacks and natural disasters.
 
Furthermore, the US Congress enacted the USA Patriot Act, which empowered enforcement officials to fight terrorism. This act contains provisions to cut off funding to terrorist organisations and also curb money laundering. The US government also focused on strengthening border, aviation and port security. It awarded a US$10-billion contract, as part of its Visitor and Immigrant Status Technology programme, to a consortium led by Accenture. This programme, comprising electronic entry\exit management system and biometric technologies, will enable the US government to track foreign visitors and immigrants. The US government also undertook Project Bioshield for bolstering defenses against biological, chemical or radiological terrorist attack.

Terrorist attacks have also led to changes in the UK. In the aftermath of London bombings, the UK government besides banning two radical groups has mooted changes to human rights laws to accelerate the deportation of foreign nationals linked to terrorism. The UK government also proposes to issue identity cards to its citizens.

Terrorist attacks have also led to other European countries taking counter terrorism measures.  The Italian Senate recently approved a bill giving armed forces the power to search vehicles and France proposed to install closed-circuit television cameras on key bus and train routes. Germany, meanwhile, declared the air space above the World Cup 2006 stadium as no-fly zone. The governments worldwide are taking the necessary steps to avoid terrorist attacks.