A New Era of Terrorism
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A New Era of Terrorism
Many years after the 9/11 attacks, violence and terrorism continue to cause a significant threat to the world in more evolved ways. One way to prepare, mitigate, respond or recover from terrorism and related situations are prioritizing national security. In the case of Patrick Crusius, who is accused of using an AK-47-style rifle to carry out an act of domestic terrorism at an El Paso Walmart on August 3, 2019. Killing and wounding a total of 46 people based solely on their ethnicity exposes the evolving threat emergency managers face regarding domestic terrorism in the United States (Hutchinson, Kartesky, & Margolin, 2019). Due to the constant evolution in terrorist attacks, the US’s emergency managers must also increase measures to counteract future threats and attacks.
Globalization has increased interactions and interconnection between different countries, thus making current terrorism different from the 9/11 attacks. Improved transport and communication systems have enabled terrorist organizations to plan the attack through the internet easily. Similarly, the terrorist groups can now recruit new members online, making their operations easier. Foreign terrorists can now travel to the points where they planed attack easier due to improved transport systems (Luiijf, 2012). Patrick Crusius traveled five miles away from the Mexico-US border. The transportation was facilitated due to the improved transport networks. Patrick’s case is an example of the evolving threat of white extremists motivated by racial, ethnic, political, and other grievances from the spread of violent ideologies online.
Potential Challenges
While threats regarding terrorism continue to be serious in many nations, the Federal Government, in connection with tribal, territorial, local, and state rulers, has had several successes in preventing foreign attacks and protecting the nation in the years after the 9/11 attack. Even though the achievements are very much visible, some challenges may hinder terrorism prevention process. The first challenge is the improved weapons terrorists use. Current terrorist groups have evolved in the technology they employ while attacking (Hoffman & Ware, 2020). They use technologies that were either unavailable or crude to consumers during the 9/11 attacks. Patrick also gets in the shopping mall with an AK 47 gun, which he uses to shoot people. That shows the level of improved technology terrorists are using. Other terrorists may use drones to drop explosives to the target area of attack. The improved weaponry enables the militants to carry out their operations faster. Another challenge is the way Americans and other people across the world communicate. Over 80% of the world’s population today uses the internet. The use of computers and the internet ease the planning of attacks by terrorists. Violent rebels have been repeatedly proven good at exploiting the potential of the internet. The change in communication and internet technology has enlarged the vulnerability of the nation to deception campaigns. Foreign terrorists and non-state actors take advantage of social media and online space to spread wrong information about a country ((Hoffman & Ware, 2020). The non-state actors are seeking for the division of the societies of America. They also work to get the most out of and accentuate America’s political division and public anxiety. They stimulate division and strife, and encourage vulnerable groups or individuals to commit a violent act. Mr. Patrick carried out the attack based on the information and idea that their way of life will be improved by getting rid of the immigrants (Arango, Bogel-Burroughs, & Benner, 2019).
Solutions
The terrorist attacks and threats can be managed, responded to, or prevented by responding faster to the calls alerting about a potential attack. Emergency management personnel such as police, fire department, and medical department should rush to the scene where there has been an attack to prevent a secondary attack. They should reach the scene on time to help people evacuate the under attack. Through early responding to the scene, they help reduce injuries and damage of properties. Another solution is providing proper training to the responders and medical personnel. Emergency responders are trained on how to handle and protect themselves while in the field. The preparedness of the medical personnel can be guaranteed by offering short training programs on how they can handle themselves or the victims of the attack. Another solution is effective and improved regional coordination to enhance the preparedness of the emergency personnel.
Recommendations
To enhance the protection of civilians during a terrorist attack and to prevent the attacks from occurring in the future; first, the emergency management departments should adapt and understand the threat environment. The department should adopt the abilities of its intelligence to new security forms and create new innovative responses. Second, the government should encourage collaboration with international and domestic partners. Violence and terrorism surpass national boundaries (Howard, 2021). The emergency department should handle terrorism threats with international collaboration and interagency, comprising information sharing and effective intelligence, along with the capacity building. Third, the government should focus on the solutions that are locally based. Violence planning and mobilization at a local level within the country. The government should support the efforts of communities to make sure they are well equipped to be on the frontline in the identification of violent extremist signs.
Conclusion
There is an increase in terrorism threats since the 9/11 attacks. The threats are mainly due to the evolution of terrorism, globalization, and improved communication technologies. There is improved technology and transport system easing planning and execution of attacks. To reduce the level of damage made by the attacks or prevent them from happening, the government should collaborate with international partners.
References
Arango, T., Bogel-Burroughs, N., & Benner, K. (2019). Minutes before El Paso killing, hate-filled manifesto appears online. The New York Times, 3(8).
Hoffman, B., & Ware, J. (2020). The challenges of effective counterterrorism intelligence in the 2020s. Law Fare.
Howard, L. (2021). Preparing for terrorism: What every manager needs to know. Public Management
Hutchinson, B., Kartesky, A., & Margolin, J. (2019). before rampage that killed 22: Law enforcement officials
Luiijf, E. (2012). Understanding cyber threats and vulnerabilities. Critical infrastructure protection, 52-67.
