Domestic terrorism in the United States and extremist organizations

Terrorism Organizations

What is Terrorism?

Legacy in the 21st century

Based Terrorist Organizations

Aryan Nation

Ku Klux Klan

Counterterrorism and Prevention

Definitions and Structures

Homeland Security

Patriot Act

The very nature of terrorism, of course, is to engender fear and panic into the population base. Thus, targets are so numerous that complete protection of all is impossible. Targets could include any of the governmental buildings in Washington, D.C., courthouses or public buildings in major cities, malls, churches, and transportation centers in any town. Unless the materials are manufactured in the United States, though, the most likely targets are those that exist in coastal cities with larger port access (Smith, 2001).

Terrorists tend to target places that are media hyped, affect the lives of citizens, and are usually transportation, entertainment, or financially based in larger urban areas. Indeed, for greater efficacy, targets usually involve places where there are large non-combatant crowds, causing panic and disputing the socio-economic system. Investigating terrorism is even more complicated. It may be national, international or a combination of events, often involving dozens of agencies in dozens of jurisdictions. It may be proactive in that it looks to prevent attacks, or reactive in that it works as law enforcement after a crime scene. Indeed, scholars still disagree on a specific and universal definition of terrorism, since some believe there are key elements to some groups that may have subjective definitions. Terrorism is more than armed war; it is psychological and sociological in nature. For instance, one scholar tries to combine the various definitions of terrorism into a coherent unit by noting that:

Terrorism is defined as political violence in an asymmetrical conflict that is designed to induce terror and psychic fear (sometimes indiscriminate) through the violent victimization and destruction of noncombatant targets (sometimes iconic symbols). Such acts are meant to send a message from an illicit clandestine organization. The purpose of terrorism is to exploit the media in order to achieve maximum attainable publicity as an amplifying force multiplier in order to influence the targeted audience(s) in order to reach short- and midterm political goals and/or desired long-term end states (Bockstette, 2008).

Counterterrorism & Homeland Security

Counterterrorism is a direct result of terrorist groups, and is a term used to include all things necessary to prevent or mitigate terrorist activities. Counterterrorism thus becomes part of the legal and social climate, as well as the political and economic paradigm of modern society (Kiras, 2007, Chapter 7). Directly in response to the events of 9/11 in the United States, when representatives from Al-Qaida attacked New York and Washington, the Office of Homeland Security was created with the mission:

To develop and coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive national strategy to secure the United States from terrorist threats or attacks. The Office will coordinate the executive branch's efforts to detect, prepare for, prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks within the United States (National Strategy for Homeland Security, 2007).

Homeland Security is organized in four areas, all of which tend to overlap within the organization and with other agencies: 1) Mission Support handles medical and human resources, planning, law, fraud, and supports all other activities; 2) Law Enforcement protects key political figures by overlapping with the Secret Service and other governmental groups; 3) Immigration and Travel Security -- protection of the nation's transport system, particularly airports, overseeing lawful immigration, and; 4) Prevention and response -- protection of the public, environment, and the U.S. economy and security interests in any land or maritime region; preparedness, training, and recovery to reduce loss of life (Department of Homeland Security).

Homeland Security as an organization is tasked with being broad and inter-related, multidisciplinary and connected with all domestic law enforcement agencies.

Homeland Security (U.S.-VISIT); Washington, DC-based with offices in larger cities, other coastal, urban, or high-potential target areas. The entire department includes 187 federal agencies and services as an umbrella organization.

Emergency preparedness and response (to terrorism and natural disasters), domestic and international intelligence, border security, transportation security, biodefense, research and development on security technologies.

Immigration, Travel and Security

Prevention

And

Response

Law Enforcement

Mission

Support

Homeland Security Department

Protection of Leaders, Borders

Overlap with Secret Service

Medical, HR, Facilities, Law

Protection of Leaders, Borders

Economy & Preparedness

Public Environment

FBI

CIA

NSA

Protection of Leaders, Borders

Medical, HR, Facilities, Law

The Patriot Act that was implemented just after 9/11 was put into place to protect American society. However, there are several examples within the act that challenge individual rights: increased electronic surveillance, search and seizure, data gathering power and even the detaining of individuals suspected of terrorist. The emergency was, of course, the Al-Qaida attack upon the U.S.; the response was to keep the community safe; individual autonomy is lessened through programs like "Carnivore" which surveys the individual's conversations on the web and cell-phone network; and the idea that there is more latitude in search and seizure, as well as longer rules of suspect detention erode, some say, the rights of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution (Olson, 2001).

Terrorism as a political and psychological entity is now part of the modern world. Regardless of the area in question, terrorism is a threat and is now part of global culture. Prevention and mitigation methods are complex and often somewhat controversial in that some see Civil Rights being eroded, while others feel that the protection of the many, utilitarianism, is worth losing some personal liberty. In any case, diligence, scholarship and preparation are necessary as never before.