National Security And Cooperation Against Terrorism example essay topic

The result of the end of the Cold War has left its impact and continuing effect on us today and will continue to in decades to come. The Cold War was a bipolar balance of power between two super powers: the United States and the Soviet Union (democracy vs. communism). National Security dominated foreign policies, which were the domain of the elite, making economics secondary. Although the super powers never engaged in direct conflict, each used poor underdeveloped Third World nations in their battles; such as Korea, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and Central America. American foreign policy has gone through many changes since the Cold War but it's aim has remained the same: to use American political, military, and economic power to assure "friendly" foreign regimes. Some may say that a government is deemed freind ly on whether it allows U.S. corporations to operate freely within its borders.

It has been the logic of American foreign policymakers that nearly all actions are justified since the U.S. represents democracy and protects freedom in the world. Many historians and critics will debate the facts where the actions taken by the U.S. in the name of democracy were justified. For example: when the Soviet Union intervened in Czechoslovakia, the U.S. called it an act of "naked aggression", but when the U.S. landed 22,000 marines in Santa Domingo, The U.S. called it peace keeping. Another example is when Russia built a missle base in Cuba (on the invitation of Cuba), it was considered an act of war that was met with U.S. force. Later the U.S. built the largest airbase in the world in Thailand and it was hailed as being part of our ceaseless search for peace. Third World nations were called upon for advancements since they were repressive and reactionary.

The U.S. formed a product of U.S. Cold War plo cies to create and strengthen the radical religion groups to contain the Soviet Union and the Islamic public of Iran. In September 2001, the Russian Federation joined the U.S. and Europe in the fight against terrorism. Washington, Moscow, NATO, and the European Union were on the same side of a major international security issue. Radical Islamic Fundamentalist groups posed a major terrorist threat to U.S. interests and friendly regimes. Iran, as we know, was one of the seven states on the State's Department terrorism list, and had been agressive in nuclear weapons technology. It is an expressed concern that radical Islamic groups may exploit economic and political instabilities in Saudi Arabia.

Terrorism is moving eastward from Libya, Syria, and Lebanon to South Asia with the result of the U.S. increasing their focus on Osama Bin Laden and groups operating out of Afghanistan. The end of the Cold War has contributed to increased national security and cooperation against terrorism. One of the most frequently used tools of policymakers to deter international terrorism is the force of sanctions. Here, the governments that support politically motivated violence are prohibited from receiving U.S. economic and military assistance.

The attack of the World Trade Center in N.Y. was event of extraordinary impact on international relations and a turning point in U.S. foreign policy. The event helped the U.S. identify a new enemy for its policies that were lost after the Soviet collapse. The U.S. government has employed a wide array of policy tools to combat international terrorism. From diplomacy and international cooperation to economic sanctions, covert actions, protective security measures, and military force.

Diplomatic measures are usually tried first since it is the least likely to widen conflicts. The media is also an important measure of the success of a terrorist act or campaign. In conclusion, the outcome of the Cold War brought about many changes including a brighter outlook to the future with Russia. Over the course of the past decade, we have worked together with Russia in developing programs to help in the fight against terrorism and in fighting Al-Quad a in Afghanistan. Being in a new security arena is not necessarily bad, but it may be unfamiliar for many policy makers. Developing diplomatic strategies to handle transnational issues is an important skill for countries now and in the future.

Understanding these security issues can pave the way for a more secure and balance foreign policy.