Radicalization is a process where individuals or groups come together with a common goal of opposing a view that can be political, social, or religious. The outcomes of radicalization can either be negative or positive but are greatly influenced by societal ideas. It happens mainly in societies that are experiencing changes from the social consensus against progressive changes. Studies show that radicalization can result in violent and non-violent actions, but most researchers focus on violent acts. In the end, radicalization serves as a sociological trap that gives no other option but to give individuals a reason to do and attain material needs. Radicalization happens in four stages, pre radicalization stage, identification stage, and lastly, indoctrination and jihadization (Leuprecht et al., 2020). Terrorism, on the other hand, involves the unlawful use of violence against innocent civilians to advance a political, religious, or social ideology.
Terrorism can be classified into many categories; the disruption of the normal functioning of a certain community that is enjoying peace at the time is known as a civil disorder. Political terrorism involves disruption of the normal functioning of a society to instill fear at the expense of advancing a certain political agenda. Nonpolitical is terrorism is aimed at instilling fear in a community for individual gains. The other forms of terrorism include Quasi, Limited political, and state terrorism (Leuprecht et al., 2020). State terrorist countries are led by rulers who believe that they have to instill fear among its netizens for their plan to be realized.
Radicalization occurs when individuals start to embrace a certain belief that classifies others as enemies. The idea inspires the group of individuals to create a war against the group above. The specified individuals begin to identify themselves as terrorists and therefore start to relate most of their time working on related activities that identify them as terrorists. They always associate with individuals of the same character and identify themselves with the same belief. People with this kind of belief are believed to be terrorists and cannot prevent themselves from associating with terrorism-related activities (Leuprecht et al., 2020). Friends and neighbors close the terrorist individuals may realize the change in behaviors and therefore attempt to report the matter.
Reporting of radical and terrorist groups is not always transparent as some people might be fear to be victimized and even killed due to risking the lives of the terrorists. Others will be given handouts to avoid disclosing the information of their works. Individuals who believe in terrorism-related activities separate themselves from other individuals who do not. It is evident that if individuals associate themselves with people who challenge their views, they might be prompted to change their belief that does not support terrorism. Intervention efforts to prevent terrorism should be able to include the terrorist individuals and their close friends as well as family members. Radicalization to cause terrorism is also facilitated by both societal and community contexts on a broad basis (Leuprecht et al., 2020). Individuals at the community level might experience real grievances that might cause terrorism.
Push factors are the extreme conditions present in the migrants’ countries that make it difficult for individuals to stay there. In contrast, Pull factors are the existing factors that exist in destination countries that make it suitable and attractive habitat. Examples of push factors include poor health services, poor infrastructure, political killings and violence, and environmental and climate change. Examples of pull factors that attract people include the availability of work opportunities, access to better education and healthcare facilities, and general factors that improve people’s living standards (Leuprecht et al., 2020). The factors are associated in describing patterns and motivational trends, which do not provide individual reasons on why people migrate from one country to another.
In the wake of the covid 19 pandemics, United States faces several terrorist threats, including jihadists, which still remains on the main threats it faces. Pollical activities have been shaped in one way or the other, mostly by the emerging global trades and security and the ever-increasing number of Global migrations. Mass migration is another threat being faced by the United States. Since the immigrants are from all over the world, the USA has to remain alert and keep an eye on any suspicious activity. The left-wing has also been identified as a threat that is part of the violent cycle. Political and business leader’s assassination remains a threat in the United States in the twenty first century. The leader’s assassination has occurred due to their involvement in Islamic matters. The united states are as well still facing terrorist threats from the Al Qaeda group. The individuals or self-proclaimed bombers are one of the major threats that the USA will have to be on the lookout for most of the time (Leuprecht et al., 2020). The self-bombers are undetectable as they can’t be plotted, they can’t be traced through communications and they might not be involved in any suspicious activity that can prompt suspicions.
The importance of counterterrorism strategies is that they have helped to bring justice by sentencing people involved in terrorist attacks. New technologies have been developed to identify any posing threat hence ensuring peace and tranquility. There has been improved security at the borders, preventing unauthorized entry of unauthorized personnel and illegal goods that the terrorists might use. Police have also benefited from the counterterrorism strategies as it has been strengthened and equipped with latest technology and ammunition. Criminal justice systems have been beefed, and even there is a situation where countries offer legal assistance to other countries. The process has been in the wake of countries adopting stronger counter-terrorism laws. Security has been beefed in the airports and guards are being trained daily on the new technologies that the terrorists might use in their quest to attack. The main purpose for counterterrorism strategies has been to ensure law and order are upheld in the country and improve the workers’ safety standards and general people living in the country (Leuprecht et al., 2020). Improved security helps employees to work in a more secure state, which will enhance their productivity level.
The United States has come up with specific guidelines to combat terrorism. First, it has agreed to make no deals with any terrorists as well as making any concessions. It has formulated laws that ensure all persons found in terrorist-related activities to be brought to justice. The state has also managed to segregate countries that have been found in one way or the other funding terrorists or terrorist-related activities. The countries have been imposed with sanctions that will force them to change their behaviors. In another way, the states have managed to support and sponsor countries that have played a major role in helping its course (Leuprecht et al., 2020). The United States employs diplomacy to convince other countries to combat terrorism and ensure that suspicious terrorist activities are outlawed.
Power that encompasses the use of economic and military purposes to gain influence on other political leaders is known as Hard power, which contrasts with soft power whose main focus is to rule based on the culture and history of the country and its philosophy based on diplomacy. Hard power often employs an aggressive type of leadership. A strong political government imposes an ideology on a government that has a weak economy or military resource. Hard is often characterized by tangible resources, larger populations, and a stronger military front which helps it effectively to achieve its aims and objectives within a specified period. Soft power believes in coercing the target in the form of persuasion and emulation. It is characterized by intangible resources, like traditional culture and heritage, and the most attractive tourist sites. Soft power embraces the spirit of humanity as it focuses on getting more humans to develop more connections (Leuprecht et al., 2020). Several countries have employed it to the most difficult tasks to get a solution.
Being a member of the National Security Council, the best advice to the president regarding dealing with terrorism is to employ Hard Power. With the current cross border, terrorism attempts Hard Power would best suit to combat any danger arising from it. With the United States’ financial status and its military prowess in ammunition and well-trained soldiers, Hard power is necessary to deal with countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, where most terrorist activities originate.
Reference
Leuprecht, C., Skillicorn, D. B., & Mccauley, C. (2020). Terrorists, radicals, and activists. Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism, 8(1), 18-46.