Domestic Terrorism in America



Domestic Terrorism in the United States of America

Introduction

The following research paper discusses the domestic terrorism in United States of America. The paper also discusses the explanation and occurrence of domestic terrorism in America. The paper also highlights the most dangerous of domestic and international terrorism to America. First of all, the term terrorism must be understood. Terrorism, in general, refers to the variations of violent acts. For the government, it can be violence committed by political opponents. Antigovernment bodies may refer the violence to be started by the government (Riley and Hoffman, 1995). Generally, terrorism refers to the violence or threat of violence to create a situation of threat and alarm.

According to Bjelopera (2012), domestic terrorism is the attack made within the homeland, inspired from the US based extremist ideologies and movements. They government of America both focuses on the domestic terrorism and international terrorism. The domestic terrorist groups are not the priority among the federal counter terrorism but they still hold their concern and importance to the law enforcement officers. Domestic terrorism is defined in a narrow way by explaining that it includes those terrorist activities by the Americans who are ideologically driven lacking foreign direction and influence in a tactical and philosophical way.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has defined domestic terrorism in two ways. First, terrorism is defined as an activity illegal use of force and violence against the people, property and government and even against social and political objectives. FBI has differentiated the domestic terrorism from international terrorism. Domestic terrorism, according to the USA PATRIOT ACT, occurs only within the territorial jurisdiction of America and it involves danger to human life, influence any governmental policy and affect the activities of government (Bjelopera, 2012).

Discussion

The world's political and economic landscape has been largely defined by America's counterterrorism effort. As the 2012 US Presidential election approaches, many Americans are now asking how the US can withdraw from these overseas wars in which it is engaged. The new National Counterterrorism Strategy tries to answer that question. It offers much that is familiar from previous strategies about degrading al-Qaeda's capability abroad and working with international partners to achieve success. It even goes so far as to suggest al-Qaeda is well on the path to defeat. However, it then outlines the counterterrorist situation in nine different theatres of operation across the world. Those summaries do not suggest that 'victory' against al-Qaeda, its affiliates and its sympathizers is imminent. Unfortunately, al-Qaeda-related terrorism against America and its interests, and the West in general, will remain a threat for the foreseeable future (Borgeson, 2009).

Domestic terrorism

Domestic terrorism has affected America since ages. United States has threats from five different terrorist organizations. This includes the left-wing radical organizations, ethnic separatist and émigré groups, right-wing racist, issue-oriented groups and foreign terrorist organizations. Domestic terrorist groups are a threat to the US if they have the intentions and capability to conduct attacks which is the priority for the government to ...