International relations/political science Essay

Global Terrorism In the September 11, 2001 attack, commonly known as 9/11, is made up of series of suicide attacks wherein hijackers or terrorists hijacked four commercial airlines. An airline was used to damage, if not totally destroy Pentagon, another was crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The remaining two airplanes were crashed directly at the World Trade Center. Great infrastructures were damaged and a lot of losses were incurred, not only material things but the lives of thousand individuals. As such, this event had raised the spirits of so many people in combating terrorist attacks. Indeed, there is a wide spread determination to end the terror everywhere, but this does not mean that success would be fully attained. It had inspired people to do something against the terrorists, and it’s a good thing. The government, the military and even civilians wanted to eliminate terrorists. But as a consequence, the chances of committing errors or fallacies also increase. Some people resort to drastic or rushed measures of combating the terror without sufficient data or evidences leading to wrong moves or mistaken identities. Suspicion also increases within communities, and in the end, instead of reducing terror today, it just only increases it by spreading fear amongst people. Financial support coming from a lot of sources definitely helps in funding attacks, manpower and weaponries. As they say, money can talk. If an terrorists organization has a lot of financial sources that they could use, then it would be really easy for them to collect data, weapons and other tools for battle, therefore increasing their chance of spreading bigger attacks. As such, cutting off their financial sources would greatly disrupt their activities. Their mobility and rate or number of attacks would be decreased, if not totally lost. But this is not the only thing that should be considered. Aside from the financial sources, terrorists groups have their own principles and beliefs. This powers them, aside from money. Take for example a suicide attack. Even if a lot of money is given to these terrorists conducting such attacks, if they don’t have the will or spirit to do it, they won’t do it for money; money which they can’t really use afterwards. Also, if a terrorist is greatly motivated to attack, suicide attempts would have higher chances to be conducted even if funded poorly. The concentric circles of the global Jihadist Movement are really noteworthy. It gives a solid proof or blueprint of the perspective organizations within and outside their Movement. This may not be able to tell which specific people to catch or hunt but it gives an idea of how their organization works. Learning these things or information would greatly help in formulating or creating tactics or methods on how to defeat them. In parallel to fishing, it is best to catch the small fish first before the big one. In addition to this, catching a fish requires not only skills and equipment but also the knowledge on the behavior of what you are going to catch. The Concentric Circles of the Global Jihadist Movement gives a description of that blueprint which is very crucial in dealing with these organizations. Generally, the descriptions and the â€Å"blueprint† itself is basic or simple, but still a noteworthy information to obtain or understand. The files which were collected regarding the Al-Qaeda show or give an information or proof that their organization is indeed well-organized and well planned. Upon reading the contents, a terrorist member, feeling the same sympathies and situation like the people who made such documents, would be greatly moved and motivated to act against the government and participate in terrorists attacks or movements. Furthermore, it empowers their minds that violence is not a wrong deed or action. It gives them the support that they need to battle their conscience in doing what is morally good or right. For them, terrorists attacks or the actions which they plan to do is the right one and the one that would benefit most people, even if they had to risk their lives. It rests on the power, hope and faith that they have for their god therefore giving them the idea that they are divine warriors who cannot be stopped. They strongly believe that what they are doing is right and in the name of their god. Information Revolution vis a vis Sovereignty, International System and Global Governance Information revolution greatly increases the feeling of one, group of people especially a state’s sovereignty. If one state understands and knows what it is dealing with, then it gives him a higher chance to perform or implement preemptive measures or actions. If overdone, it could give too much feeling of sovereignty which when shattered, could lead to fear, panic or disastrous consequences. Though somehow, it would strengthen the state. As such, the international system of states and global governance would be stricter. It would enforce more power and rule over the laws. As such, new laws and set of regulations would be formulated. Policies would also be enhanced to deal even with the simplest to the most complex situations as based on the information retrieved. Counter intelligence could be considered as a powerful weapon in the information revolution. Civilian education for military officers and leaders is very crucial and is necessary for it enhances their capabilities and education when it comes to leading their subordinates. Civilian education also gives them more educational opportunities all the way through their careers and service for their countries. Competent and confident leaders can be attained through civilian education and these leaders have more capabilities in decision-making and in handling problems or emergencies. Agile leaders with improved instincts and improved knowledge on tactics and technicalities could also be achieved through civilian education. Civilian leaders with military education or experience have the best field in a battle or advantage against the enemy, but his ability to lead should also be considered. Military books and courses may indeed teach a lot of principles, basics and techniques on how to be great leaders, but experience hones better leaders who can react immediately on different situations and would have better chances of making good decisions. References International Terrorism: The Concentric Circles of the Global Jihadist Movement (Publication. Retrieved December 21, 2007: Progress in the War on Terrorist Financing (Publication. (September 11, 2003). Retrieved December 21, 2007: (Publication. (The Al-Qaeda Manual). Retrieved December 21, 2007.