...HIST 1302 War on Terrorism When researching the world's current affair concerning terrorism, it is hard to say whether or not the global war on terrorism has been an effective one. Since the attack on the World Trade Centers in New York City on September 11, 2001, former president of the United States George W. Bush, vowed to defeat terrorism. Years later, this pledge has yet to be fulfilled, and even with the assistance of many countries worldwide, the threat of terrorism is still noticeable more than ever, which debate whether the global war on terror is achieving success. Besides, to entirely retain the topic, one must be knowledgeable with the definition of terrorism and it can be describe as an act of violence or threatened violence intended to spread panic in a society, and to bring about political changes. Terrorists do not actually live in their resident or native states, they also roam or wander to neighboring countries, and cities abroad and often go undetected. The organizing logistics and man power it takes to combat terrorism is massive, and it seems more obvious that the global war on terrorism is not succeeding due to the necessary three factors. First, that The United States has generated a terrorist haven in the Middle East. Second, international help for the global war on terrorism is diminishing. Third, since September 11, terrorism has been on the constant increase. Former American President George W. Bush on March 19, 2003, publicizes to the world that...
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...April 29, 2013 Cause and Effect of War The Vietnam War was during the years of 1964-1975. This is the longest military conflict in U.S. History. Around 85,000 Americans were killed during this war. This war cost over 150 billion dollars. The war involved the North Vietnamese army and the National Liberation Front on one side against the United States and the South Vietnamese army. The war was fought in South Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and a little in North Vietnam. One cause of the war was that the Vietnamese had struggled for their independence from France which was a result of the First Indochina War. As a result of this war, the country was divided into North and South Vietnam. The United States got involved in Vietnam because U.S. authorities thought that if the whole country fell under communist control, this would cause a domino effect and communism would spread through all of Southeast Asia. This was the reason to get involved in Vietnam. When the Japanese finally surrendered on September 2, 1945 in the First Indochina war, Ho also declared independence for Vietnam. The French refused to accept Vietnam’s independence, and later drove the Viet Minh into the north of the country. In 1965, the United States sent troops to help maintain the Southern Vietnamese government. Unfortunately, their plan didn’t work and in 1975 Vietnamese was under Communist control. The United States demanded for Japan to leave Indochina, or else they would be forced to use military action. After...
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...Uncovering The Truth: Wars, Media and Metaphors “If only you can get all the facts out there in the public eye, then every rational person will reach the right conclusion” (Lakoff, 138). In the world today there are many examples via news reports, newspaper articles, and documentaries etc. that support George Lakoff’s claim that “Metaphors Can Kill”. More specifically written works like War Media and Propaganda: A Global Perspective, “Metaphors That Kill”, and The Five Biggest Lies Bush Told Us About Iraq, and Michael Moore’s documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 and his article “What Is Terrorism?” provide perspectives on the impact of wars such as the ongoing American involvement in Iraq and the repercussions that ensue because of them. These exposés also vividly emphasize the important issue of media coverage furthering the interests of government. By using examples of war and tone, media and methods of development, and metaphors and lies, these articles vividly emphasize the importance of the issues involved with governments, as well as the media and clearly educate the audience towards a better understanding of the problems and lies surrounding them. ‘War’ can be defined as a state of open armed conflict between one or more nations over a disputed disagreement. Hidden within this word comes thousands upon thousands of deaths, excessive amounts of wasted money, and immeasurable quantities of losses. The average person would find it incomprehensible to imagine why all this destruction...
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...Presidential power has been an important topic of consideration and debate since the founding of the nation. Many presidents have tested the limits of the Constitutional provisions regarding the authorities of the executive branch, and in response, both the judicial and legislative branches have imposed the proper checks and balances via court rulings and newly legislated limitations. In modern American politics, many question the Constitutional legitimacy of various executive actions taken by the most recent presidents. However, the expansion of presidential power is certainly not unique to Presidents Bush or Obama. Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, presidents have gradually increased their powers in response to wars, terrorism, and congressional gridlock, among other things. Furthermore, the broad definition of the executive branch’s duties found in the second article of the Constitution has led to contradicting interpretations about the proper applications of the executive powers. As...
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...to reach its intended target because of heroic passengers. With nearly 3,000 civilians murdered, the United States began the “War on Terror” that targeted organizations designated as terrorist and those regimes accused of supporting them. The “War on Terror” took the fight to the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq. The Theory of Just War is an ethical look to help determine whether the use of armed forces is justified or unjustified. This Theory is guided by three sets of criteria: the right to go war (jus ad bellum), the rules of engagement of war (jus in bello) and justice after war (jus post bellum). While these wars have been surrounded with controversy and claims of being unjust, the “War on Terror” is a just war that does not exceed the moral boundaries set in the Just War Theory and today's society? The first criterion for a just war is the right to go to war. Is there a just cause? Will war be declared by a competent authority? Has all other options for peace been exhausted? What are the chances for success? Before the dust for the fallen towers settled and while eighty-six other countries mourned the loss of loved ones that were indiscriminately killed by Al Qaeda operatives, leaders around the globe heeded their citizens’ call to war, forming a coalition against terrorists. President George Bush stated “our 'war on terror' begins with al-Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been...
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...To what extent can the bombing of Dresden (1945) be perceived as a war crime according to international law today? The analysis that is set out hereafter presents the case that there is a strong argument that the Dresden bombing CAN be perceived as a war crime. There have always been elements of controversy attached to it for a few important reasons with the main issue of concern being why this city was chosen as a target after five years of war. Some of the reasons proffered are as follows: a) The city was part of Nazi Germany and therefore could be legitimately attacked in the ordinary scheme of things. The Allied forces were after all at war with Nazi Germany b) There was the belief that the city was being used under the cover of...
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...Islam and the Rejection of Violence Mohammad Ibrahim Miqdad Dr. Mohammad Ibrahim Miqdad is a professor o f economics at the Islamic University in Gaza. Religions arose to organize the lives o f people on the divine bases o f justice, tolerance, values and ethics. Islam, the last o f the Abraham ic religions, has the same bases and values. Prophet M ohammad said (Hadith), “I w as only sent to finalize the noble ethics.” In addition, his m essage that “God loves those who are good benefit to the people” was advice to people o f all beliefs, not only M uslims. He also preached, “All the people are the children o f God, and he loves those who are a good benefit to his children.” This message applied to all people, since they come from the same spirit regardless o f race, ethnicity or religion. In the Q u r’an, Surat A n-N isa’ (The Women), verse 1 states: In the name o f God, the Gracious, the M erciful, “O m ankind fear your Lord, who created you from one soul.” Denouncement of Violence In regards to relationships with the others, Islam walks in the path o f flexibility and denounces violence. In the Q u r’an, Surat A l-’A n 'am (The Cattle), verse 108 states: In the name o f God, the Gracious, the M erciful O m ankind, “And do not insult those they invoke other than Allah, lest they insult Allah in enm ity without know ledge.” In the name o f God, the Gracious, the M erciful O mankind, “ So by m ercy from Allah, [O M uham m ad], you were lenient with them...
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...I will argue that the ‘war on terror’ declared by the Bush administration and so assessed for the US; is not a just war. It fails in the central interrelated criteria of just cause and last resort for jus ad bellum, which I detail first through assessment of the Bush administration’s self-proclaimed just reasoning behind resorting to war against a concept, and the alternatives available to it, I will then detail its failure in the jus in bello criteria of discrimination and proportionality, reasoning through the case of drone warfare. Jus ad bellum I shall firstly focus on the crucial jus ad bellum principle of just cause, holding the only just cause for war to be self-defence . The USA and its allies suffered unjust, unprovoked terror attacks, notably to embassies and battleships, as well as ultimately the 9/11 disaster, and further possessed reputable evidence of other failed attacks. Thus this essay acknowledges that they were under-attack from a powerful and effective enemy, which could be reliably pinpointed as Al Qaeda. These attacks were focused on non-combatants in landmark locations; deliberate targeting for maximum terror spreading effect, which further represented an attack on western freedoms. Hence the assailant satisfied neither jus ad bellum, nor jus in bello, and without immediate and effective action there existed great potential for further unjust attacks. This was the Bush administration’s argument for sufficient reason to declare war in self-defence . However...
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...The Affects of Terrorism James Wilford HIS/145 December 3, 2012 Senitra Upton The Affects of Terrorism Terrorism, the heinous acts of an individual or group whose purpose is to create fear for religious, political, or ideological goals by deliberately targeting or disregarding the safety of non –combatant civilians has heightened the security of the nations abroad. Terrorism when looked at through a historical point of view has always been present throughout the world, but mainly stronger in the Middle Eastern countries such as Israel, Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Lebanon. The three main reason why terrorist activity is considered heavier in these areas are due to ethnic groups that are not able to get along because of their difference in religious beliefs, the need to protect their oil from the interest of the Western countries, and “the need to extract or purge all imperialists, infidels, or those who challenge their interest and from this is where we have terrorism escalating to international levels” (The North States Emergency Consortium). In the mind of a terrorist when planning or conducting terrorist acts is to choose places where they can avoid detection or capture before and after their attack, “others are willing to commit suicide in order to carry out an attack against a much more secure target” (The North States Emergency Consortium). Normally, the places that are selected are institutions were the disaster would bring about large-scale losses of life, widespread...
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...Organizational Structure Paper Oswualdo Ramirez MGT/230 June 20, 2012 Kellie Parker Organizational Structure Paper The United States Army is one of many legal types of organizations of the armed forces and has been since June 1775. It is the largest and oldest of all the branches of the military and continues to dominate all threats aimed at the United States alongside the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Marines. Like many other organizations in the United States, the U.S Army has a structure of its own. From the top down, it functions as any other organization, but unlike most, every member of its team carries rank and has a chain of command to abide by. In the following I will describe and evaluate the structure and functions within the United States Army, compare it to its fellow branches, and explain its organizational design that has been the primary reason Americans have been kept free from tyranny and enjoy the freedoms taken for granted every day. Army Organizational Structure What is an organization? According to "Businessdictionary" (2012), an organization is a social unit of people, systematically structured and managed to meet a need or to pursue collective goals on a continuing basis (Organization). The United States Army has a structure that starts as high as the President of the United States down to the newest and youngest recruit soldier. Its organizational structure far exceeds that or your local neighborhood Wal-Mart, yet has far...
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...Organizational Structure Paper Eli Cash MGT/230 October 23, 2014 The United States Army Organizational Structure The United States Army is one of many legal types of organizations of the armed forces and has been since June 1775. It is the largest and oldest of all the branches of the military and continues to dominate all threats aimed at the United States alongside the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Marines. Like many other organizations in the United States, the U.S Army has a structure of its own. From the top down, it functions as any other organization, but unlike most, every member of its team carries rank and has a chain of command to abide by. In the following I will describe and evaluate the structure and functions within the United States Army, compare it to its fellow branches, and explain its organizational design that has been the primary reason Americans have been kept free from tyranny and enjoy the freedoms taken for granted every day. Army Organizational Structure What is an organization? According to "Businessdictionary" (2012), an organization is a social unit of people, systematically structured and managed to meet a need or to pursue collective goals on a continuing basis (Organization). The United States Army has a structure that starts as high as the President of the United States down to the newest and youngest recruit soldier. Its organizational structure far exceeds that or your local neighborhood Wal-Mart, yet has far less “employees”. As...
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...into a building, but failed thanks to the actions of the plane’s passengers. Many Americans and people all over the world witnessed these deadly events through nationwide television. It was the worst terrorist attack on American soil. This was an attack that changed America forever. In search for answers, Americans remembered once again and compared the September 11 attack to the Pearl Harbor assault. In the Pearl Harbor assault, Japan unexpectedly attacked United States on December 7, 1941. In both circumstances, a secure nation was attacked on its own soil. Just as Pearl Harbor awoke America out of a sense of security, September 11 had a similar effect on Americans. Both Pearl Harbor and September 11 attacks resulted in a significant loss of human life. On the Pearl Harbor attack 2,388 people were killed. On September 11, 2001 it was believed a larger number of people had lost their lives. It was difficult to provide an exact number of casualties. It was believed that about seven thousand people lost their lives during the attacks of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania. As the days passed by, the numbers decreased from seven thousand to three thousand. Even though the Pearl Harbor and September 11 attacks seemed similar, they had quite many differences. Pearl Harbor was a military attack...
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...major developments ‘unknown since Nuremberg Tribunal’: norms have been changed, refined or even expanded. Moreover, after the Cold War, institutions have been established and norm-creating judgements passed both domestically and internationally. The setting up of the Yugoslavia and Rwanda Tribunals is an example of such international institutions created. The Pinochet decision is an example of such norm-creating judgements. The adoption of the Rome Statute International Criminal Court, which came into force on 1 July 2002, crystallised all these developments. This day will be a red-letter day in the history of international criminal law. On this day, a permanent international criminal court came into existence. This Court has enjoyed broad and enthusiastic support from governments and non-governmental organisations around the globe. However, not all states were happy about all provisions in the Rome Statute. One major country which refused to ratify this milestone treaty is America; an opposition which many termed as a blow dealt to the effectiveness of the Court. America sees itself as the sole remaining world super power which should be involved in promoting peace all around the world. It is of the conviction that its involvement in peace keeping processes is highly needed if they are to succeed. Scheffer, the former US Ambassador-at-large for War Crimes and Head of the US Delegation to the UN Conference remarked at a Press Conference in 1998 that the US “continues to have significant...
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...another notes the pessimism that "pervades the sanctions literature" and proceeds to argue that it is unjustified. 2 A third scholar cites the sanctions literature as an example of fruitless academic debate with little policy relevance.3 Such divergent readings of the scholarly literature are often explained by differences in ideology or fundamentally different theoretical orientations. This does not seem to be the case with respect to the sanctions debate. Under appropriate circumstances, it is quite possible for liberals, neoliberals, realists, neorealists, or globalists to argue in favor of using economic sanctions. If the sanctions debate is bogged down, the explanation does not seem to lie in the essentially contested nature of the subject matter. A second potential explanation is that scholars are talking past one another because they ask different questions, use different concepts, and set the discussion in different analytical contexts. In short, they are talking about different things. This article explores the second explanation. The basic paradox at the heart of the sanctions debate is that policymakers continue to use sanctions with increasing frequency, while scholars continue to deny the utility of such tools of foreign policy. 4 Two explanations for this David A. Baldwin is Ira D. Wallach Professor of World Order Studies in the Institute of War and Peace Studies at Columbia University. The author would like to thank the following for helpful comments...
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...The ‘R’ in BRICs: is Russia an emerging power? S. NEIL MACFARLANE * The notion of emerging powers presupposes a number of characteristics shared by the states in question.1 These include regional preponderance, aspiration to a global role, and the contesting of US hegemony. These characteristics arguably make the group as a whole a useful category in analysis and policy formulation. In particular, cooperation among these states, and possibly with more established powers seemingly equally unhappy with the unipolar configuration of international politics (e.g. France), may create a basis for a coalition having the potential to balance American power.2 There is ample evidence from all of the emerging powers of unhappiness with the existing structure of international politics. There has also been substantial consideration of the potential for cooperation among them and with certain European states to constrain the hegemon—from the suggestion of entente between France, Germany and Russia to the repeated examination of prospects for a SinoRussian–Indian triangle, and the growing Chinese and Russian interest in bilateral cooperation over shared security concerns.3 This article assesses the role of Russia as an ‘emerging power’. How do Russians interpret the international system in which they operate? What kind of system would they prefer? What are they trying to do in the current system and why? How do these considerations affect their relations with the hegemon, with other centres...
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