To recruit followers, Islamic extremists use propaganda that the West, led by the United States, is at war with Islam. This process where individuals accept violent Islamist extremism is commonly called "radicalization." The U.S. response to the 9/11 attacks began on November 25, 2002, when the Homeland Security Act of 2002 became law and changed how we defend America. Protecting the United States from terrorism became the cornerstone of this legislation. According to Roberts (2011), its three goals are: "preventing terrorist attacks; preventing the unauthorized acquisition, importation, movement, or use of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials and capabilities within the United States; and reducing the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and key resources, essential leadership, and major events to terrorist attacks and other hazards." Therefore the question is; Can Homeland Security protect us from Homegrown and Radical Islamic Terrorism?.
Literature Review.
What is terrorism? .
Terrorism is: "Premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience." (Richardson, 2006) Terrorists use many different strategies including kidnapping, murder, hijacking, and bombings and their goal is almost always to achieve a political purpose. Terrorists have no friends and recognize no rules. What makes the plans of terrorists even more dangerous is that there is no easy way to retaliate. They choose to strike at any time and place, they choose soft targets and they have no uneasiness about killing innocent civilians. They do not need high-powered or complex armies, just an extremist, diabolical mind, some wealthy backers and a handful of mercenaries or executioners. Terrorist attacks do not just happen, they are well thought out, planned events conducted by radical groups or individuals intended to bring danger, helplessness, and sadness.
