Phillip Wilson
Evolution of Terrorism
There are debates on whether terrorism worsened or improved post September 11th, 2001 (Smith & Ziegler, 2017). Before 9/11, regional terrorism focused on specific areas, especially South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe (Demir & Guler, 2021). The objectives of these terrorist groups are primarily ideological, political, and nationalistic goals in their specific regions. Various tactics were used, including assassinations, hostage-taking, bombings, and hijackings. Smith and Ziegler (2017) explore terrorism before and after 9/11/01, showing that the period between the years 1970 and 1982 had higher domestic cases, especially in regions with civil conflicts. However, these conflicts persisted even after 9/11 in areas like the Middle East and Northern Africa. The first recorded terrorist event by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI, n.d.) was in Syria for the democratic front for the liberation of Palestine was founded in February 1969. In 1970 there was a bombing in Israel and another attack in Jordan, now known as Black September. The first U.S. attack was recorded in 1973 when vehicle bombs were defused at El Al terminal at Kennedy Airport, the First Israel Bank, and Trust Company, and the Israel Discount Bank in New York City.
Terrorism is now a transnational issue, with a dramatic rise recorded between 2004 to 2014, even when all of Afghanistan and Iraqi events have been excluded. Since 9/11, terrorism has been declared an international threat to security by the United States, and policymakers have moved from traditional state-centered threats to globally-oriented counter-terrorism (Enders & Sandler, 2005; Philips, 2008). The US deployed military operations in the Middle East and counterterrorism measures, including the Department of Homeland Security and other intelligence agencies, to disrupt terrorist activities and arrest suspects (Miles, 2012).
Ideological jihadism has fueled extremist interpretations of Islam, which has become prominent globally, causing an international security threat (Gleditsch & Rudolfsen, 2016). Smith and Ziegler (2017) note that after 9/11, Muslim regions increased domestic terrorism than before. God hates terrorism and promises to deliver those afflicted, as seen in Isaiah 60:18 ( King James Bible, 2017), “Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within their borders.”
As we continue to look at terrorism abroad through a different lens, no longer are the days that the United States could sit by idly and watch things unfold. The United States’ last official terrorist attack was on December 7th, 1941, when the Japanese military attacked Pearl Harbor. After that, we shifted our focus to protection from espionage and deceit rather than believing that terroristic activity would ever have a foothold in the United States. From the bombing of the World Trade Centers, the first time in 1993, to the Oklahoma City Bombing of the federal building, we have continuously saw carnage that can be left when a terrorist attack strikes. Terrorism is no longer designated to happen overseas in a faraway land but is now a global epidemic in which we must continue to fight and root out the masterminds behind these attacks. As the United States closed the chapter for the War on Terrorism, many of our brothers and sisters are still fighting around the world in preservation of liberty. Rather it is the Israelis fighting Hamas, or Ukrainians fighting off the Russians, we still see the ugly head of evil as terrorists continue to try to push their religious or politically motivated viewpoints to the world.
