Introduction
Since the infamous 9/11attacks, the United States has increased its efforts in dealing with the threat of terrorism. According to experts, security forces across the country consider the war on terrorism as their top priority (Feiffer, 2003).
Homeland security is an issue that concerns everyone in the United States, regardless of their political affiliation, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, or economic status. Studies have established that the American government has received massive support from various sources that include the media and the international community towards reducing the threat of terrorism.
According to reports by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the government has doubled its budgetary allocation towards the fight against terrorism since the 9/11 attacks (Wolf, 2007). The attacks provided a clear picture of the huge threat that the United States has to deal with in terms of domestic terrorism.
According to the FBI, domestic terrorism refers to acts of violence committed by Americans or permanent residents of the country on their fellow citizens. This tactic is commonly used to instill fear in people in order to achieve goals related to religious or ideological issues (Feiffer, 2003).
Experts argue that people involved in domestic terrorism often get their inspiration from things such as social injustices, racial discrimination, or lack of political goodwill among others (Wolf, 2007). The United States has some of the highest levels of diversity in terms of ethnic composition, religious beliefs, and social classes. These factors often promote the culture of radicalization that is a huge contributor to domestic terrorism (Wolf, 2007).
Discussion
Despite the numerous efforts made by the government to address the threat of domestic terrorism, experts argue that the country still faces a huge challenge of improving on the current security measures. One of the main factors associated with this challenge include globalization, technological advancements, and freedom of speech (Feiffer, 2003). A number of people have acquired permanent residency in the United States.
Experts believe that such individuals often contribute towards the rising threat of domestic terrorism. Globalization allows people to interact and have cultural exchanges that can influence people into acquiring certain life changing values (Wolf, 2007). Studies have established that people that seek permanent residency in the United States come from various regions of the world. Some even come from countries that have declared themselves as American enemies.
The rate of technological advancements has also been identified as one of the factors that can contribute to an increase in the threat domestic terrorism faced by the United States (Feiffer, 2003). Experts argue that criminals in the contemporary world have incorporated technology in their operations because of its efficiency and ability to eliminate high risks.
Reports by the FBI indicate that technologically aided crime is hard to deal with because the offenders are always a step ahead of security agencies. Over the years, various American governments have commissioned numerous studies geared towards understanding the threat posed by technology on homeland security (Johnson, 2012). People keep complaining about online based crimes such as cyber bullying, cyber terrorism, and fraud among others.
This means that the safety of Americans from suffering the pain of being attacked within the country’s borders is still a highly compromised issue (Johnson, 2012). The current United States government has been publishing yearly reports on the state of homeland security and the possible threats that are likely to be experienced in the near future. A number of threats have so far been identified, but the following three have the highest potential to destabilize the homeland security (Feiffer, 2003).
Nuclear weapons
The first major threat is nuclear weapons. The American government has used a lot of resources towards finding, monitoring, and preventing the delivery of nuclear weapons (Lieber, 2012). Experts argue that very little has been achieved to date, in terms of protecting Americans against this threat.
The fight against nuclear weapons in the United States started more than five decades ago. For example, President Reagan unsuccessfully commissioned numerous programs aimed at halting the delivery of missiles in the country. Some of the programs that failed completely included the dead-end effort and the Airborne Laser.
Experts argue that the government should consider investing heavily in the latest technology capable of sensing a nuclear weapon in the bunkers where they are stored (Lieber, 2012). America is one of the countries in the world that has a highly trained intelligence team. However, it seems that criminals have better tricks of evading the tactics used by the government. Nuclear weapons are believed to be the most effective and dangerous strategy used by terrorist during their missions (Johnson, 2012).
Cyber attacks
Studies have established that the high number of people with access to the internet can easily motivate terrorist to push their agenda suing the opportunity. Over the last couple of years, the threat of terrorism on the cyberspace has escalated due to the increase in the number of people with access to the internet (Rhodes, 2011).
Experts have identified cyber attacks as a major threat in terms of domestic terrorism because it is hard to know the real identity of someone from their online profiles. Terrorists often use this element to threaten unsuspecting users who are often compelled to disclose their personal information. Some of the tools used by terrorists in staging cyber attacks include social networking sites such as Facebook, instant messaging services such as emails, and viral software (Rhodes, 2011).
The government has launched a number of campaigns to sensitize people about the threats involved when using the internet. Studies have established that cyber terrorism compromises the ability of a country to achieve sustainable development (Rhodes, 2011). It affects economic development, social welfare, and political stability in a country.
According to experts, the growing dependency rate on the internet by most people in the United States could heighten the threat of cyber attacks over the next couple of years. Even most organizations and businesses have incorporated the internet in their operations as one of the marketing tools (Rhodes, 2011). This tends to create a much bigger platform for domestic terrorists to lodge attacks on their own people (Johnson, 2012).
Drug trafficking
Drug trafficking is one of the serious crimes in the United States. The government has been fighting the highly lucrative business on the black market for more than five decades with little fruitful outcomes (Wolf, 2007). Studies have established that drug traffickers use very wide and tightly guarded networks that have a potential to cause huge threat to homeland security. Reports by the FBI indicate that the business of drug trafficking promotes underground terrorism activities through their sophisticated operations (Lieber, 2012).
Experts argue that most drug lords are involved in terrorist activities by funding terrorists and allowing them to transport explosives using their networks. Studies have also established that terrorists are among the people who use drugs in large quantities. In addition, drug trafficking has a huge connection to other serious crimes such as money laundering that the government considers as having huge potential to destabilize the homeland security (Johnson, 2012).
Criminals around the world are increasingly investing their resources in this kind of businesses that end up giving them a lot of financial power to push their own interests using terrorist activities. Statistics show that drugs are used in the United States more than any other country. Therefore, the numerous attempts by the American government to eliminate the trade from its economy, the more enemies it gets everyday (Lieber, 2012).
Conclusion
The United States of America is one of the most powerful countries in the world. It has a strong economy that attracts numerous entrepreneurs and business developers from various parts of the world. Over the years, the United States has made numerous friends and enemies in equal measure.
Most enemies of the United States are people and countries that do not approve of the strategies the government uses to ensure its homeland security. This has resulted in numerous terrorist attacks and hate crimes against the country. Some of these attacks are launched from within the United States through domestic terrorism. Some of the threats faced by the United States in terms of domestic terrorism include nuclear weapons, cyber attacks, drug trafficking, and money laundering among others.
References
Feiffer, J. (2003). Power Trip: U.S. Unilateralism and Global Strategy after September 11. New York: Seven Stories Press.
Johnson, D. (2012). Right Wing Resurgence: How a Domestic Terrorist Threat is being Ignored. California: Rowman & Littlefield.
Lieber, R.J. (2012). Power and Willpower in the American Future: Why the United States is not destined to Decline. San Francisco: Cambridge University Press.
Rhodes, R. (2011). Cyber Meltdown: Bible Prophecy and the Imminent Threat of Cyber Terrorism. New Jersey: Harvest House Publishers.
Wolf, N. (2007). The End of America: Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot. New York: Chelsea Green Publishing.