PLS

Every battle or war usually has its own strategy. We must always understand and appreciate the fact that the War on Terror is a different kind of war not only of arms but ideas too. In fighting terrorism we understand that we not only protect lives but also “promote freedom and human dignity” (NSCT).

The strategies that are therefore employed must not only focus on domestic counter terrorism efforts but extend to a world wide scope. So in order to prevent large scale terrorist attacks on the United States, these are some of the recommendations that should be considered:

Funding

There is no terrorist organization that can function without a mode of financing. This is the core and basic heartbeat for the terrorists as it facilitates training, purchases of equipment and even settling sleepers within the territory. Cutting down these finances by setting up stringent regulations that will effectively protect the financial systems and cut the flow of funds to terrorists such as reporting suspicious accounts and transactions would go a long way. Among such mechanisms would be to use the Executive Order 13224, the Patriot Act Section 311 and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1267.

Assisting Friendly Governments

A lot of states depend on America for most things. This is as a consequence of the nation’s position in many things that have made it a ‘watchdog’ of sorts. The quest of fighting terrorism cannot therefore be America’s responsibility alone. In such endeavors, there will always be friendly governments that are willing to join in the fight against terrorism. In order to minimize and ultimately end these jihadist groups it would be a good strategy to help these friendly governments in fighting their own jihadist groups wherever, and whenever they may be.

Reducing State Support for Terrorist Groups.

In as much as there are countries that have joined the fight against terrorism, on the contra, there are countries that have regimes that have facilitated and sponsored terrorism against the United States. It is within the policies of America to utilize a combination of National and International incentives and sanctions be they political and/or economic to arm-twist such individual states to cooperate in the War on Terror. This is regardless as to whether the groups are from within such countries or without but just using the country. These states include Syria and Iran.

Advancing Effective Democracy

Although the above strategies may be effective, they are all good for the short term prevention of the terrorist attacks. That is not to say that their effect may not ultimately be long term. However, in order to win this war, it is mandatory that America strives to inculcate and advance a principle of freedom and human dignity and promote democracy. It is well noted that efficient democracies eventually promote good governance and the rules of law and natural justice and thus maintain order and advance the will of the people. As long as there are no extremists in the world, there could never be large scale terrorist attacks. Thus comes the battle of ideas.

Impeding Recruitment.

As long as there is a supply of jihadist recruits or other extremist groups, there will always be terrorist aattacks. In order to curtail this, the United States will have to capture and prosecute publicly such terrorists without making them appaer like martyrs, disrupt the avenues of recrutiment and involve Islamic scholars in weakening the theological justifications of the use of violence. In doing this, there will be nothing captivating about joining the groups and therefore no new recruits.

Our Achilles Heel

Technology

Technology has come with its magic and advantages. It has also advanced the skill of the modern terrorist and as such the networks are more decentralized and dispersed n various places all over the world. It has therefore become very difficult to pinpoint a terrorist base and attack it honestly without causing international outcry.

Even though we have substantially improved and protected our bases, land, sea, air and borders, we are still not immune from attacks that may come from within as sleepers can now communicate and receive commands easily.

Implementation of Reports

Our nation is well known for serious political under dealings in order for the people on the Hill to survive politically. This in essence impedes the implementation of the several proposals and recommendations that have been put forward to thwart the efforts of terrorists.

References

National Strategy for Combating Terrorism (2006)

Davis, L. E., Sisson M. W. (2009). A Strategic Planning Approach: Defining Alternative Counterterrorism Strategies. RAND Corporation