Middle Eastern And Islamic Terrorist Groups example essay topic

Terrorism in the United States The terrifying event that occurred on September 11, 2001 is an example of what the world had been warned about many times, "TERRORISM". In 1998, for example, the U.S. government told American citizens that they were potential targets for a terrorist group joined by the now infamous Osama bin Laden (Eland, 1998). However, many did not think any terrorist would be capable of the tragedy that leveled the World Trade Center and took many thousands of human lives. Americans thought they could not be touched, especially on their own turf. While it may be that organizations involved with Bin Laden that are in the United States, and have been for years, there are other groups that U.S. citizens may not be aware of.

Many have probably forgotten The Order of the Rising Sun. Members of this group, in 1972, possessed thirty to forty kilograms of bacteria that they planned to put into the American water supply (Yonah, 1999). The nation is a main target for both national and international terrorists. There are numerous foreign groups and governments that target U.S. For example, Libya, Iraq and Iran in addition to groups from Germany and Palestine (Yonah, 1999). While most of the damage done by such organizations has been overseas, their presence is felt in the United States. Almost all foreign terrorist organizations have caused a problem in the United States, in which the primary threats come from Middle East terrorist organizations (Emerson, 2000).

The concept that the Middle East groups are more dangerous to the U.S., is not thought of as a prejudice comment. It is a concept that has been realized by both the FBI and CIA (Emerson, 2000). The Middle Eastern and Islamic terrorist groups that have members in the United States include the Algerian Armed Islamic Group, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Palestinian group, the Egyptian group, Al Gamat Al Islamiya, the PKK, the Islamic party, and Al- Qaeda, which belongs to Osama bin Laden (Emerson, 2000). Al-Qaeda is the most dangerous in respect to U.S. interests.

The group was formed by Osama bin Laden during the 1980's. In 1989, the organization stated it was their duty, and the duty of all Muslims, to kill U.S. citizens and all U.S. allies (2001). Like other groups, some of their plans were stopped such as the 1995 assassination attempt of President Clinton (2001). Al-Qaeda has between several hundred to several thousand members, but serves as a small group for a terroristetwork that includes Sunni Islamic extremist groups (2001). The group has a presence in a number of countries but maintain terrorist training camps in Afghanistan (2001). Many of these terrorist organizations have cells in a variety of countries, including the United States and while that is true, some may wonder how and why terrorist organizations are allowed to exist in a democratic nation.

As far as the United States is concerned, the answer is easy. Many U.S. citizens recognize that these groups are permitted, along with the Communist Party for example, because the nation is based on religious and political freedom. Also, another reason why the groups are able to flourish in the United States is because they can hide under the umbrella of mainstream religions and because there are loopholes in immigration policies (Emerson, 2000). America's borders are also easily penetrable and there are limits on the FBI in terms of their ability to perform law enforcement functions (2000). In other words, because of the freedoms provided by the Constitution, the ability of the agencies of the government to engage in covert operations is limited.

The FBI and CIA's lack of total freedom is not the only reason why these groups can easily live in the United States without consequences. Also responsible for the advent of these groups in America is the lack of a vigilant media (Emerson, 2000). While the American media can be relentless in some respects, it all too often ignores more critical, but less sensational, stories. There is also a lack of governmental attention in respect to the rise of the factions (2000). Perhaps political correctness prevents increased scrutiny of these groups that live in a country where political and religious beliefs are sacrosanct. Universities have not kept track of foreign students or their spouses, and they have also provided easy access to student visas from nations that support terrorism (2000).

Visa fraud is also prevalent and the creation of false credentials is something that occurs quite frequently (2000). Thus, it is not difficult to enter the country and go unnoticed for years, even if one is a member of a terrorist organization. Terrorists do use the United States as one base of operations (Emerson, 2000). Some might ask why, particularly in light of the fact that most of their missions are carried out in other parts of the world. But the answer is simple. Terrorists look for places that afford them the most freedom (2000).

Ironically, they gravitate to the free world to promote its antithesis. Again, they enter the United States quite easily. They may be hindered by recognition at different points of entry which range from the visa granting process to the many unmanned points where the border may be crossed (2000). The number of major international terrorists who have been allowed into the United States-some having been granted Green Cards and even citizenship-is staggering (Emerson, 2000). Some include the head of Al Gamat Al Islamiya, Sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman and one of three top officials of Hamas, Musa Abu Mar zook (2000).

One of Osama bin Laden's top lieutenants Ali Mohammed had not only been admitted into the United States, but was a Special Forces Sergeant at Fort Bragg (2000). Ramadan Abdullah S hallah served as a professor at the University of South Florida, while also the head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (2000). Most foreign nationals enter the U.S. with the use of false identification; Islamic Jihad leader Abdel Aziz O deh entered the United States numerous times, without leaving a record under his real name, which is another example of how lax the security is in the country (Emerson, 2000). The fact that there have been few domestic terrorist incidents does not mean that the members who reside in the U.S. are not dangerous. In 1997, for example, two terrorists were arrested in a Brooklyn apartment after a plan to bomb the New York subway system was thwarted (2000). In addition to sneaking into the country, or residing legally, terrorists also obtain entry into the United States merely by asking for political asylum, or by engaging in any one of other immigration fraud schemes such as marriage fraud, familial relation fraud, naturalization fraud, and work visa fraud, amongst others (Emerson, 2000).

Terrorist operatives are sometimes smuggled into the states from either Mexico or Canada (2000). Clearly, terrorist organizations are alive and well and living in the United States. However, it appears that the nation has increased its security and is well aware that terrorist threats must be taken seriously. Up until the twin towers fell, members of terrorist organizations were able to freely move about the United States, whether they entered legally or illegally, supporting activities such as bombings, assassinations and other methods of destruction aimed at the Western world. The future likely holds a less trustworthy planet and one would guess that questionable people with questionable passports would be denied entry when they get to U.S. borders throughout the twenty-first century. Still, the fact that terrorists have been able to live in the United States unencumbered during the past decade or so is rather chilling.

Bibliography

Alexander, Y. (1999).
Terrorism in the Twenty-First Century: Threats and Responses. The World & I, 14, 80. Eland, I. (1998, September 25).
The U.S. Government Is Endangering American Citizens. The Cato Institute. [Online]. Available: web S. (2000).
INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM AND IMMIGRATION POLICY: STEVEN EMERSON. Congressional Testimony, PG (Reprinted in web Original publisher not listed). Terrorist Group Profiles. (2000).