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Topic: Counter-Terrorism in the United States
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Counter-Terrorism in the United States
The ISIS has continuously threatened the security of the United States; this can be
countered by employing efficient security intelligence bodies. The evolution of ISIS is
undeniably progressing; without mitigating proper security measures, the United States is likely
to be a hotbed for terrorist attacks similar to 9/11. Research has shown that 9/11 resulted from
improper intelligence measures (Kahan, 2016 p.231); terrorists took advantage of the weak
intelligence assets and perpetrated the Century’s most heinous terrorist attack.
Understanding the ISIS/ISIL
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, ISIL /ISIS, or the Arabic acronym Da’esh is an
Islamic terrorist group with its roots in Iraq and Syria. The group has remained an international
security threat for more than a decade. Its history begins after the conflict in Iraq in 2003 and the
outbreak of unrest in Syria in 2011. The ISIS has an apocalyptic ideology that is a revolutionary
intent to embrace transitional terrorism. Their doctrines have alarmed policymakers around the
world. Leaders worldwide have considered how to address the group’s threats as it evolves
(Ratcliff, 2017).
A series of terrorist attacks attributed to the group have claimed hundreds of lives in
various continents, including the United States. ISIS leaders remain at large, and their fighters
appear to be evolving into an insurgent force. The group has other international affiliates that
have continued to operate, and individuals inspired by their ideologies have made continuous
attacks, especially in Europe. The leader Abu Bakar Baghdadi reigned terror from 2014 till his
demise in 2017; he received pledges of affiliation from groups in several other countries. The
group’s history can be traced directly to the Al-Qaeda, especially the faction in Iraq. Their
leaders had a public falling out in 2013 after Al Baghdadi directly challenged Al Zawahiri, the
Al Qaeda leader, for Muslim extremists’ total allegiance. That is when Al Baghdadi went back to
Iraq and declared himself the Islamic state (Ratcliff, 2017).
The Islamic State has been prosperous since they use military expertise and unimaginable
brutality. They have social media accounts that publish disturbing videos showing the ISIS
fighters taunting and torturing captured prisoners. In Iraq, U.S military officials train local
security forces, and the ISIS takes advantage and capture the security personnel who cannot put a
good fight against the ISIS (Kahan,2016 p.231).
The threat of the ISIS to the United States
In the present time, the Islamic state functions as a pseudo-state; they have their military
force that exhibits extensive military capabilities. The military is operational in Syria and Iraq
and controls communication lines, commands infrastructure, governs, and funds itself
extensively. From the aspect of their military capability, ISIS has many Islamic state fighters
from other Muslim majority countries such as Tunisia and Saudi Arabia (Xinyu, 2019).
According to the National Security Agency, the ISIS has had many recruitments from the
United States, Canada, and western European countries (2019).In America, the ISIS has been
able to attract teenage boys and girls from ordinary homes. It is evident that the strength of ISIS
is everywhere and is growing enormously. This growth poses a formidable threat, especially
from the fact that they are stretching their roots to acquire a large following.
The ISIS is also armed and well equipped; the organization has seized many American
weapons from military personnel deployed in Syria and Iraq. The group has also taken advantage
of the open and uncontrolled border between Turkey and Syria to smuggle fighters, weapons,
and other war efforts. According to Iraq’s authority, some of Sadam Hussein’s former generals
assist the ISIS (Xinyu 2019).
The ISIS is growing territorial; they have occupied the vast areas in both Iraq and Syria.
The Islamic State has operated freely between the two countries since there are no useful borders
between them. Millions of citizens in both countries live in ISIS-controlled cities, offering them
security from other Islamic radical groups. According to Ratcliff, at an economic level, ISIS has
firm financial reserves, and they are entirely self-reliant. ISIS has managed to capture oil fields
in Iraq and Syria, which they sell in the black market and give them the majority of their
finances.
The radical organization has also seized millions of dollars from the bank of Monsoul in
Syria and raised money through charities in wealthy countries and mosques; this is according to
the national security agency. The organization also receives vast quantities of cash from foreign
supporters, collecting taxes from the citizens, and selling antiques (Ratcliff, 2016). According to
