The History Of The United States

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Osama Bin Laden’s bitterness towards the United States presence in the Persian Gulf led to the first failed terrorist attack by Al Qaeda. After their failed attack in Yemen, Al Qaeda continued their terrorist attacks which consisted of periodic embassy bombings, an attack on the USS Cole, and bombings of airplanes and movie theaters in the Philippines. Osama Bin Laden openly waged war on the United States and stated that it was his Islamic duty was to acquire weapons of mass destruction for which he believed would ensure the fulfillment of AL Qaeda’s goal. Osama Bin Laden’s need to acquire weapons of mass destruction would become a focal point for the United States in years to come. One of the most well-known terrorist attacks by Al Qaeda on the United States occurred on September 11, 2001. On September 11, 2001, 19 radicals linked with the Islamic extremist group Al-Qaeda seized four airplanes and carried out suicide attacks against the two towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon outside of Washington, D.C. The September 11, 2001 attacks ended in a massive amount deaths and destruction which led to the United Sates determination to fight terrorism and seek to destroy the likes of Al Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden. After Al-Qaeda's September 11, 2001, attacks on America, the United States launched a war in Afghanistan to destroy Al-Qaeda's bases there and overthrow the Taliban. (Brief History of Al Qaeda)

The September 11, 2001 attack which was considered a high point in the Al Qaeda organization began a war that would ultimately lead to the downfall of the Al Qaeda movement. The 9/11 attacks made the danger of terrorism abundantly clear to influential leaders around the world and led to the United States invasion and occupation of Iraq. The 9/11 attacks essentially placed a target on Al Qaeda soldiers and Osama Bin Laden backs, making the United States determination to find and capture these terrorist a priority . In response to the 9/11 attacks the United States created the Department of Homeland Security whose responsibilities consisted of protecting American citizens from terrorist attacks as well as natural disasters. Since the 9/11 attacks, the FBI as well as Homeland Security has spent the past several years and billions of dollars focused on one group which was Al-Qaeda.

Due to the focus placed on Al Qaeda after the 9/11 attacks, their daily operations were placed on hold and members of Al Qaeda were forced into isolation. After years of secretive attacks and isolation, the United States finally fulfilled their promise to American citizens. On May 2, 2011, Al Qaeda suffered a devastating blow to their organization with the death of their leader Osama Bin Laden at the hands of United States Navy Seals. Osama Bin Laden’s death was definitely Al Qaeda’s most crucial loss, but the organization continued to suffer losses concerning their leaders at the hands of the United States and the use of drones. The United States drone attacks killed several replacement Al Qaeda leaders such as Shaikh Saeed al-Masri, Atiyah Abd al-Rahman and Abu Yahya al-Libi. (Al Qaeda still a Threat)The United States use of drone attacks also forced the remaining Al Qaeda members, recruiters and leaders remain hidden. Due to the substantial losses the Al Qaeda organization has faced, United States officials are under the assumption that the Al Qaeda infrastructure is collapsing and is no longer considered a threat. Despite the fact that the United States believes that Al Qaeda is no longer a threat, Al Qaeda continues to reemerge with the help of affiliated organizations and is still a threat to international security, having transformed into networks of smaller terrorist organizations.

As of today, it has been eleven years since the 9/11 attack and Al-Qaeda is now looked at as a defeated organization who operational capability has been severely diminished. The spirit of, Al Qaeda however has survived. Al Qaeda’s philosophies and practices have proven throughout time that it still has the potential to motivate radicals to commit terrorist acts. Despite having their operational capabilities and communications severely affected, the legacy of Al-Qaeda continues to be a noticeable threat. Al Qaeda has several terrorist affiliate organizations that remain intact and willing to further the message of liberation for Muslims. Al Qaeda has several affiliate organizations in Iraq, Yemen, Somalia, and the Maghreb that is rebelling against their government. In recent months the strength of Al Qaeda affiliate's determination to further their cause was demonstrated in Benghazi, Libya. On September 11, 2012, Islamist radicals armed with weapons and grenades overtook a United States diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, which resulted in the killing of the American ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three members of his staff. The attack is said to be a result of the anti-Muslim film "Innocence of Muslims" which depicts the Prophet Mohammed as a womanizer, child molester and killer. (Laura Hayes)

Noticing that despite having demolished Al Qaeda's leadership infrastructure crumble and making advancements against some of its affiliates, the United States realized that they must change their strategy for fighting terrorism. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta stated that the key to achieving "the end of Al Qaeda" was to finish the job in Afghanistan in a way that ensured the group could never again establish safe havens there. The United States government is now focusing on counterterrorism efforts against the remaining members of Al Qaeda along with affiliated groups. For now, the United States must continue their efforts to dismantle Al Qaeda. (Panetta: al Qaeda is "still a real threat", 2012)