Abstract
This paper addresses the domestic measures and policies that have been taken to ensure the continued safety of American citizens against terrorist organizations. Overt aggression such as the war in Afghanistan shall not be a focus of this paper, for while such actions can indeed be termed as a counter to terrorism, they are not designed to directly counter terrorism but rather to remove the threat entirely in addition to acting as retribution. A focus shall be on the efficiency of the INS and on airline safety, for these two areas are believed to have been the greatest contributing factors to the events that occurred on September 11th. APA style.

Tags:POLITICAL SCIENCE / TERRORISM, countering terrorism airports

Abstract
This paper takes a look at U.S. efforts to fight domestic terrorism and contends that there are good reasons why no law enforcement agency should lead the counterterrorism effort in this country. With a critical view of the FBI's role in counterterrorism, the paper notes that the crucial constitutional rights protecting against unwarranted searches and seizures and compelled testimony against personal interests specifically prohibit any government entity with punitive responsibilities from conducting thorough investigations of the type required to prevent terrorism before it happens. Meanwhile, the paper continues, as the wrong type of agency has been in charge of the counter terrorism element of homeland security, the federal government appears completely unprepared to provide effective emergency management and critical assistance in times of need, the effort to protect commercial aviation reflects a critical waste of resources in relation to its benefit, and the nation remains increasingly vulnerable to a nuclear holocaust, because of several key aspects of a conceptually flawed approach to counterterrorism. The paper concludes with the hopes that the new presidential administration might consider reevaluating the choice of the FBI as lead counterterrorism agency, tighten security at airports in more meaningful ways, and abandon the nonsensical focus of border interdiction as pertains to nuclear material in favor of more sensible measures designed to reduce more dangerous existing vulnerabilities in that regard.

Outline:
Introduction
The Federal Bureau of Investigation as Lead Counterterrorism Agency:
Commercial Aviation
Border Protection and Radiological and Nuclear Material Interdiction Strategy
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"Since its inception, the FBI has featured a decentralized structure, whereby approximately fifty individual field offices distributed throughout the nation with equal authority and operational responsibilities conduct independent investigations in all fifty states. Whereas this design is well suited to the retrospective investigation of local criminal activity for the purpose of apprehending and successfully prosecuting criminals after the fact, it is the wrong type of organization for leading a national effort of
preventing terrorism (or any other crime) before it happens."

Tags:counterterrorism, intelligence, fear, government

Abstract
This paper discusses possible strategies to counter the threat posed to the United States, by Osama Bin Laden. It describes the danger that Bin Laden poses in relation to his influence and his organization, Al Qaeda, and discusses previously used strategies and their success. It then goes on to discuss the option of using counter-terrorism to combat terrorist activities and reduce the risk of terrorism that Bin Laden poses.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Osama Bin Laden

From the Paper
"Osama Bin Laden is the head of one of the most dangerous terrorist organizations; namely The Al Qa'ida organization. This organization is difficult to fight in conventional terms as it is characterized by its networking style of operation which makes the organization difficult to track and combat. (Al-Qaeda. Wikipedia.) Another factor which makes conventional military actions difficult is that the organization is also obscure in terms of its membership and leadership hierarchy. While Osama Bin Laden is the ostensible leader and symbolic head of the organization, the actual leadership structure is largely unknown. This leads to the realization that combating and countering Osama Bin Laden cannot be adequately achieved through formal military strategy."

Tags:military, Qaeda, Afghanistan

Abstract
The paper discusses the issue of terrorism as being the most stringent aspect of international politics, since the events of 2001 proved that terrorism is by no means a conventional threat and a conventional war cannot be waged against it. The paper states that it is important that a comprehensive approach on the matter be taken into consideration. The paper further discusses that the United States has been promoting a complex counter terrorism policy which includes the combination of various aspects of foreign policy. The paper focuses on the fact that pursuing a military unconventional warfare strategy in a diplomatic environment will only work, if there is synergy within the United States Government.

From the Paper
"One of the first aspects to be taken into account is the issue of the global nature of the terrorist threat. In this sense, the United States has been widely considered a worldwide approach on the matter. This method of dealing with terrorism is obvious in the 2006 National Strategy for Combating Terrorism. More precisely, the document drew the guidelines for the activities of the US Government in its attempt to address the issue of terrorism. In this sense, among other aspects, the policy considers that action must be taken in order to "advance effective democracies as the long-term antidote to the ideology of terrorism; prevent attacks by terrorist networks; deny terrorists the support and sanctuary of rogue states; deny terrorists control of any nation they would use as a base and launching pad for terror; and lay the foundations and build the institutions and structures we need to carry the fight forward against terror and help ensure our ultimate success" . All these measures are taken in relation to two distinctive paths of action which in order to be effective, must be interlinked and combined. These two directions are the military and the diplomatic one."

Tags:counter, terrorism, warfare, strategy, unconventional, warfare

Abstract
This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the issue of the new terrorism threat. Specifically, the paper examines the strategies implemented to counter the new terrorism threat (post 9/11) and whether these strategies have been successful. It also looks at many possible long-term strategies to counter this new terrorism.

Outline:
Protections Already in Place
Protecting Internal Hubs
Target Hardening and Displacement
Chemical and Biological WMDs
Container Security
Future Strategic Theories

From the Paper
"One way to do this is to enlist the aid of other Middle Eastern nations and their moderate populations. Mockaitis states, "Finally, the moderate majority in key Arab states must be persuaded to support the war or to at least stop supporting Al Qaeda. This last task will be the most difficult to achieve since it requires some significant changes in US foreign policy." So far, gaining the support of other Middle Eastern countries has not been accomplished, and those that do have good relations with the West often suffer attacks inside their borders from terrorist organizations. This is true of Saudi Arabia, who Osama bin Laden feels has turned its support to the West and so has become a nation of infidels. Many experts recommend a change in U.S. foreign policy to gain more support from Arab nations and their populations, rather than driving them away with actions such as the invasion of Iraq, which has resulted in animosity toward the U.S. by many nations around the world, including the Middle East neighbor, Iran."

Tags:terrorism, menace, World, Trade, Weapons, of, mass, destruction, WMD, Al, Qaeda

Abstract
After the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the United States went on the offensive against Afghanistan, its Taliban leadership and Al Qaeda. Since then, the "war on terror" has expanded to include Iraq, despite the lack of evidence of weapons of mass destruction on their part or of a link between Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein. The paper shows that, although as an American it is easy to see why the government would want to combat terrorism, the policies and actions taken by the United States have not been the best for reducing the threat of counter-terrorism

From the Paper
"The most obvious place for improvement in the United States counterterrorism policy is in the dominant position that the United States insists on taking in such situations. Such an attitude limits the ability of government officials to understand the underlying causes of acts of terrorism against the United States. While it would not necessarily improve the state of affairs to negotiate face to face with terrorist groups, it would certainly be useful to carefully consider the background and experiences of those groups that choose to terrorize the United States."

Tags:Bush, propaganda, hostages, troops, World, Trade, Center

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses a plan designed to meet the needs of operatives charged with the difficult task of countering the terrorist threats posed by Al Qaeda. As is well known, since the devastatingly deadly attack on the people of the USA, which has come to be known as 9/11, counter terrorism has become of paramount importance. The writer notes that an important step in countering terrorism is to attempt to understand the motivations of terrorists. The writer points out that by studying the Al Qaeda manual that is available on the Internet, one can enhance one's understanding, so that terrorists may be better understood and can be fought more effectively.

Outline:
Introduction
The Nature of Terrorism in the Modern World
Combating Terrorism in the Modern, Globalized World
What we can Learn from the Al Qaeda Manual

From the Paper
"Thus, we can reasonably expect that the USA will continue to be attacked by terrorists for the foreseeable future. The challenge then is to find the best way to counter it. To do this, we must bear in mind what experts such as Wilen have pointed out: that we cannot beat terrorism by operating only in a reactive mode, as has largely been the case up till now. Rather, we need to operate in a preventative manner. For example, we need to integrate information in order to know about terrorism attacks before they happen, and then take steps to prevent them. This will be a much lesser drain on our resources than cleaning up the mess afterwards. Consider, for example, how much better it would be to prevent a nuclear attack on New York, than to attempt to repair the damage afterwards, especially given the fact that land affected by nuclear fallout cannot be inhabited for 70 years."

Tags:terrorist, threats, combat, violence, bombing

Abstract
The paper discusses the many security measures that have been instituted in the aftermath of 9/11 attacks, mainly in the area of aviation. The paper describes all the legislation enacted regarding airline security and shows the deficiencies that have been highlighted by each hijacking or bombing attempt. The author brings criticism of security standards and shows how after each security failure the security establishments improve their regulations. The paper explains the public's response to strict and often time consuming regulations and shows that when a tragedy is relatively recent, the public are accepting about often disruptive measures.

From the Paper
"Terrorism takes up a good deal of our foreign policy apparatus today, not only in dealing directly with terrorist threats but with the need to develop and implement measure for counter-terrorism. Such programs are also much in view domestically through actions by the Homeland Security Agency and other government agencies dedicated to protecting the citizenry. This emphasis has been strong since 9-11, widely perceived to have been not only a terrorist attack but an example of the failure of counter-terrorist measures at the time. Since then, a number of security measures have been instituted, some meeting more resistance than others, and some more successful than others. Given the nature of the 9-11 attacks, which involved the hijacking of three commercial airliners and their use as weapons, it is natural that airline security be one of the first orders of business. Most flyers report that they feel safer now as a result, but they also note the degree to which many of these measures are disruptive, time-consuming, and in some cases misdirected."

Tags:security, airline, aviation, hijacking

Abstract
This paper discusses the attack on the U.S. Marines in Beirut in 1983 that would begin a new era of terrorism. The author provides a detailed description of the historical and political background of this event as well as related attacks on U.S citizens in the Middle East. The author describes terrorist organizations and other threats to the U.S. in the area and the decisions made by the U.S. to counter them while protecting the Marines at the same time. The author theorizes what may have happened had either Harry S. Truman or George W. Bush been president at the time of the attack, and concludes that this episode in American history serves as a learning tool for future administrations, in how to balance the immediate needs of safety for our troops and the long-term needs of safety for the nation's democracy.

Outline:
Introduction
Factual Summary of Events
Deliberation and Debate Within the United States Government
The Threat
U.S. Responses
Comparative Analysis
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut would place the United States between a rock and a hard place. If they continued with the peacekeeping strategy that had brought them to Lebanon, they were surely to be targeted again. If they left the area, they would be abandoning some of their best allies. And, if they stepped up their position and waged war on those responsible, they might negatively affect other tenuous relationships in the Middle East, while increasing the danger for their troops. In the end, it would be a decision that would be heavily debated and still questioned more than twenty years later."

Tags:paratrooper, PLO, multinational Hezbollah refugee security violence escalation explosion embassy

Abstract
This paper looks into matters of security in the United States, looking at airline security in particular. It outlines the past history of airline hijackings and the measures enforced to combat it. It also discusses the changed in attitude since the terrorist attack of 9/11 and outlines the lessons that can be learned from measures taken by Israel. The author has also added some recommendations for future safety.

Outline:
The Historical Evolution of Contemporary Transportation Security Issues
Airline Hijacking and Attacks on Transportation as Political Terrorism
Airport Security Before September 11, 2001
Airport Security Since September 11, 2001
Fundamental Flaws in Design
Conceptual Problems in the Post-9/11 Approach to Transportation Security
The Nature of the Current Threat to American Air Travel
Lessons from Israel
Fundamental Civil Liberties and Transportation Security Issues
Civil Rights in the Age of International Terrorism
Police Profiling in the United States
Resolving Constitutional Issues in American Transportation Security
Distinguishing Constitutionally Permissible and Impermissible Passenger Profiling
Expansion of the Constitutional Use of Profiling Potential Terrorists
Contemporary Counter terrorism Concerns and Constitutional Interpretation
Recommendations
Understanding the Significance of the Distinction Between Hard and Soft Targets
Understanding the Mindset of the Enemy
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The first hijacking of a passenger airliner for the express purpose of influencing national or geopolitical events was the 1968 overtaking of an Israeli flight from Rome, Italy to Tel Aviv, Israel on July 22, 1968 by the Palestine Liberation Army (PLO). Previously, numerous airline hijackings had occurred, but only for the purposes of either securing a monetary ransom or (more commonly) for the purpose of transportation. Typically, prior hijackings involved the temporary takeover and diversion of a passenger airline flight as a means of transporting the hijackers to a specific destination; given the relations between the United States and Cuba in the post-Kennedy era, many of those incidents involved flights diverted to Cuba (Dershowitz 2002b).
"The new phase of airline hijackings marked a shift from tactical use of
commandeered aircraft to their strategic use expressly to generate media exposure to a political cause, as well as to force national and geopolitical policy decisions. Terrorist shootings and bombings on civilian transportation preceded the era of widely available international air travel. In Israel, Jordanian and Egyptian forces had long perpetrated
attacks on passenger buses, starting with the conclusion of the first Arab-Israeli war in 1948, in response to the United Nations decision to establish the country."

Tags:passenger, policy, bombings