THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

The United StatesHow can a country protect itself

from terrorism?

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What images spring to mind when you hear the word ‘terrorism’?

Has your life changed in any way due to terrorism? How?

If you were starving in a 3rd world country and a member of a terrorists group promised your family would be economically secure if you joined them, would you join them? What if they said you & your family would die id you didn’t?

Do you worry about terrorism?

September 11th, 2001

Terrorism is an unlawful use of, or threatened use of, force or violence against individuals or property for the purpose of intimidating or causing fear for political or social ends.

September 11th 2001. 19 Arab terrorists hijacked 4 airliners . They crashed 2 planes into the World Trade Center Towers and 1 into the Pentagon.

About 3,000 people died in the attacks. The dead included 265 plane passengers and 343 NY city firefighters. 9 buildings in the city’s financial district were completely destroyed, or partly collapsed, and 6 others suffered major damage.

Terror

Should How we feel about something influence how we respond? Or should we base decisions to act only on what

we know? Would it be justified to ban Arab Americans from flying if there was a general threat made that an Arab

American may hijack a plane in the next week?

The Terrorists•Al-Qaeda• Global network= a worldwide interconnected

group.• Formed in 1979 to fight Soviet Invasion of

Afghanistan. • Later began to oppose American influence in

Muslim Lands• Extremist Islamic Terrorists led by Osama Bin

Laden• Saudi Arabian millionaire

•Although all of the hijackers in the September 11th attacks were Arabs, al-Qaeda is NOT exclusively an Arab group. Its members come from many countries, and its network stretches across the continents of North America, South America, Europe, Africa, & Asia.

•It acts as an umbrella group , not only directing its own attacks, but also financing attacks by other terrorists.

War on TerrorThe United States organized a coalition, or an alliance, of nations to fight the war on terrorism.

•Canada, Great Britain, China, Pakistan, Russia, and many others

The Pledge:•Share information•Arrest terrorists•Seize financial assets of terrorists groups•Support military action in Afghanistan

Operation Enduring Freedom:•October2001 – US begins bombing Afghanistan• By Mid March of 2002

the Taliban regime had been removed from power.March 2003- President

Bush expands the War on Terror by taking military action in Iraq.•Bush claims Saddam Hussein is a national security threat.•Hussein’s regime is toppled

Homeland Security

•New Airport Security Measures• Random Searches• Body Scanners

•Extra Precautions:• Sports Stadiums• Nuclear power

plants• Public places

The Department of Homeland Security, initially led by Tom Ridge, was established to coordinate antiterrorists efforts.

Facing Terrorist Threats

The United States and its allies hope to reduce terrorism by breaking up terrorists groups and by increasing security to make it harder for terrorists to act.

Democratic countries have to meet the challenge of providing security for its citizens while preserving freedom and individual rights

So…What do you think?

Should the U.S. limit immigration to lessen the chance of terrorism? Lessen tourists?

Do you think terror groups will one day get hold of nuclear and chemical weapons?

If it cost 1 billion dollars a day to save 365 people from dying in a terrorists attack would it be worth it?

Is there a difference between a freedom fighter and a terrorist?

If a country repeatedly kills innocent civilians while trying to kill terrorists, does that country take part in terrorism?

Do you think terrorism is here to stay?