HLS 6000 DF3: Introduction to Homeland Security Essay

Introduction to Homeland Security
HLS 6000 DF3 & 4 COMMENTS
Name:
Northeastern University


Cyber attacks are sophisticated more than ever before, while government operatives and terrorists can launch attacks through virtual warfare to cripple critical infrastructure and steal national security secrets. Explosive bombings are another threat where before can rely on manuals to gain knowledge and launch deadly attacks, even when they do not have expertise in bomb making. The pandemic influenza is a threat that has increased with globalization and migration as there is high mobility. It is necessary to consider the likelihood that the threats materialize and their likely impact on the people and infrastructure.
In the case of Global terror networks like Al Qaeda, the leaders of these groups are inspired by the religious conviction that they are justified in retailing against what they consider attacks on Muslims by invading non-Muslim forces. To gain legitimacy Osama bin Laden used religious wording and highlighted the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union and America, as invading forces intent on oppressing, occupying and subjugating the Muslims. As such those seen fighting on the side of the Jihadists are seen as true believers, but since the Jihadists were not conventional armies they had to rely on guerilla tactics, but better financing allowed them to launch more audacious and better prepared attacks including the 9/11.
Katherine Albers
Pandemic influenza, explosive bombings and earthquakes are top threats that have not received as much attention and public interest as terrorist attacks. There are more virulent strains of influenza viruses, but the preparation has been visible only when there are pandemics. Explosive bombings are aimed at inflicting mass casualties on a massive scale. Earthquakes are one of the natural disasters that cannot be accurately predicted, and the damaging effects to infrastructure, injuries and casualties are long lasting.
Osama bin Laden intended to incite a reaction, but he could not have predicted the level of retaliation from the Americans. Bin Laden and other Al Qaeda leaders were quick to rely on religious justifications for their actions, including ‘excommunicating’ Muslims who disagreed with them (Wright, 2011). The entry of American troops in Afghanistan may have been seen as an occupation, given that the U.S already had troops in the Gulf region. The USS Cole attack may have emboldened Al Qaeda, but it is the 9/11 attacks on US home soil that resulted in fear, outrage and retaliation among Americans. To the U.S the invasion of Afghanistan was seen as a protective measure, but those were viewed as infidels.
References
Wright, Lawrence. (2011). The Looming Tower: al Qaeda and the road to 9/11. New York, NY: Vintage Books. 
Douglas Mahoney
Lundberg and Willis (2015), point out that the qualitative comparative risk assessment methods are the most suitable in evalua...