Free Essay on From 9/11 to Homeland Security: Examining the Impact of Major Terrorist Attacks on U.S. Security Systems

Introduction

Historical research shows that terrorist attacks have been a significant threat to the United States for a long time and have necessitated extensive development and investment in security systems. It gets evidenced by the 9/11 series of terrorist attacks that promoted the development of a more effective and competent security system (Krause, 2004). Various terrorist attacks in the U.S. resulted in varying levels of anger and trauma. Terrorists have also been attacking the U.S with more intense and improved attacks over time; it necessitated and promoted the formation of the (DHS) Department of Home Security (Home Land Security, 2015). This essay seeks to establish how the 9/11 attacks prompted the creation of DHS and why the Oklahoma city and 1993 World Trade Center bombings’ did not cause an intense dramatic impact.

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The 9/11 Attacks as an Impetus for the Formation of DHS

The September 2001 terrorist attack was the impetus for the formation of DHS since it was the pinnacle of a series of terrorist attacks in the U.S. It resulted in the death of many Americans and adversely affected the American economy (Krause, 2004). The 2001 attacks evidenced a lack of coordination and poor intelligence sharing between and among various security agencies that resulted in more deaths and property loss. In September 2001, four airplanes were hijacked and used to attack the United States (Krause, 2004). Terrorists hijacked an airliner carrying over 10,000 gallons of jet fuel and redirected it towards the World Trade Center building, both the south and north towers of the skyscraper were hit (Krause, 2004). The second plane targeted the twins' Towers, a working space accommodating over 50,000 persons (Krause, 2004). A third plane was smashed against the pentagon building, the fourth, and the last flight was directed towards the United States Capitol (Krause, 2004). All four planes resulted in the death of more than 2600 Americans (Krause, 2004). The 2001 attack was well organized and passed many security checkpoints contriving a security system review. After numerous consultations, 11 days after the 2001 attack, Homeland Security was launched, aiming to unify all security departments. The 9/11 attacks were characterized by poor interdepartmental coordinated and information sharing among security departments (Home Land Security, 2015).

Reasons the Oklahoma City and 1993 World Trade Center Bombings Did Not Cause a Dramatic Impact like the 9/11 Attack.

The Oklahoma City and 1993 World Trade Center bombings did not cause a dramatic impact as the 9/11 attack since they were quickly resolved and constituted of single attacks whose perpetrators were arrested a few moments later. In both attacks, the law enforcement and disaster response teams portrayed coordinated efforts and information sharing that aided in the arrest of the bombers. Amid the 1993 terrorist attack, the United States' top security personnel was uncertain about what had caused an explosion beneath the World Trade Center (The FBI, 2008). Although they had been investigating some terrorist leads, they lacked implicating proof upon which culprits would be apprehended (The FBI, 2008). The aftermath investigations were intense and involved over 700 FBI officers (The FBI, 2008). However, the investigations resulted in the culprit getting apprehended by tracing a vehicle’s license plate present in the crime scene (The FBI, 2008). Six lives were lost, and over one thousand people were hurt (The FBI, 2008).

The Oklahoma City bombing’s perpetrator was McVeigh, an Islamic extremist (History, 2016). The Islamic extremist had planted a bomb inside a vehicle he left at the front of the Alfred P. Murray Federal Building (History, 2016). A third of the building was destroyed during the bomb attack. Approximately 300 nearby buildings were also destroyed (History, 2016). It resulted in the death of 168 lives lost; 19 of the dead bodies were children (History, 2016). The perpetrator was arrested 90 mins after the bombing, driving a vehicle without a license plate (History, 2016).

How The 1993 And 1995 Historical Attacks Could Have Been Diminished or Avoided with The Protections in Place Today.

The DHS has enabled an integrated security system that includes the White House, Federal departments, and other interested groups (Home Land Security, 2015). If the DHS had been instituted before the 1993 and 1995 bombing events, the response would have been fast, and more lives would have been saved. The DHS was created to curb and minimize vulnerability to internal terrorist attacks, reduce the resulting damages, and halt illegal activities. The DHS could have potentially hindered the 1993 and 1995 terrorist perpetrators before their hideous acts. Better coordination from various departments could also have decreased the bombing’s casualties.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the United States security system improved as the level of attacks intensified. The Oklahoma City and 1993 World Trade Center bombings did not cause a dramatic impact since they were quickly resolved and constituted of single attacks. In both attacks, law enforcement and disaster response teams portrayed coordinated efforts and information sharing. More deaths and physical destructions characterized the 9/11 attack. Unlike previous events that included single attacks, the 9/11 attack constituted four attacks; its magnitude contrived alterations in the security system resulting in the formation of DHS to prevent future escalated attacks. If the DHS had been instituted before the 1993 and 1995 bombing events, the response would have been fast, and more lives would have been saved.

References

History. (2016, May 18). History: Oklahoma City Bombing. Retrieved from https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/oklahoma-city-bombing.

Homeland Security. (2015, September 24).Homeland Security: Creation of the Department of Homeland Security. Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/creation-department-homeland-security.

Krause, M. E. (2004). The 9/11 Commission Report: Final report of the National Commission on terrorist attacks upon the United States. Air & Space Power Journal, 18(4), 117. Retrieved from https://govinfo.library.unt.edu/911/report/911Report_Exec.htm.

The FBI. (2008, February 26).First Strike: Global Terror in America. Retrieved from https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/stories/2008/february/tradebom_022608