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The History of Terrorism

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The History of Terrorism
Although the United States foreign policy concerning terrorism has changed and results can be seen, it is often agreed upon by politicians and citizens alike that terrorism, especially Islamic terrorism, is still a major threat to the United States. However, after the most successful terrorist attack on American soil was carried out on September 11th, 2001 the United States strayed away from the ideals of our founding fathers and has become much more of an aggressor. I believe that many of the flaws with our current policy to fight and win the war on terror lies with moving away from the United States of America’s traditionally isolationist policies. Our current policy is in stark contrast to President George Washington’s belief which he stated in his farewell address in 1796: “The great rule of conduct for [The United States of America] in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible” (Avalon Project). To defeat terrorism, the United States must move back to ideals that kept us safe and free for so long by reestablishing moral authority and the ideological appeal of the American way rather than by force with our military. The attacks against innocent civilians on September 11th, 2001 were a clear act of terror and those responsible needed to be brought to justice. I believe that the use of Military force to destroy al Qaeda was just and tracking them to Afghanistan was necessary. Al Qaeda’s Osama Bin Laden orchestrated slaughter of innocent men as well as women, children, the elderly, and the ill was even condemned by fellow jihadist’s including the co-founder of al Qaeda, Dr Fadl. Dr Fadl claims the attacks on September 11th were immoral and goes on to blame Osama Bin Laden for “every drop of blood” spilled in Afghanistan and Iraq (Islamopediaonline.org). Although it is necessary to bring justice to terrorists and terrorist organizations such as Osama Bin Laden and al


Cited: "Al-Qaeda Founder Condemns Bin Laden." Islamopedia Online. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. . Kaufman, Leon, and Joseph W. Carlson. "An Evaluation of Airport X-ray Backscatter Units Based on Image Characteristics." Www.springerlink.com. Springer Science+Business Media, 26 Nov. 2010. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. . "Thomas Jefferson: First Inaugural Address. U.S. Inaugural Addresses." Bartleby.com: Great Books Online. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. . United States of America. Department of Defense. Defense Science Board. Report of the Defense Science Board Task Force on Strategic Communication. By William Schneider and Vincent Vitto. Print. "Washington 's Farewell Address 1796." Avalon Project. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. .

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