journal writing

Name

Professor Kelley

GOVT 2305

2 Oct. 2013

A Losing Battle

In this week’s reading over Chapter 18: Foreign & Defense Policy, I was particularly interested in the section about terrorism. I was only a child when 9/11 occurred, and I think that the U.S. has changed drastically after this event happened. However, I always thought of terrorism as a singular event between Al Qaeda and the United States. Maybe I think this way since it is all I have ever really known in my life, but in fact, “terrorism is not a new phenomenon and may last for generations” (O’Connor et. al 535). Consequently, terrorism has persisted throughout history, over time, and across cultures.

I have always been frustrated over the difficulty the U.S. faces in its counterterrorism policies. However, realizing that counterterrorism is a complex pursuit, I learned that the four policy instruments in combating terrorism include diplomacy, military power, economic power, and action (O’Connor et al. 536-537). Difficulty not only arises with the broad bases of support but also with the formidability of defining victory against terrorist groups (O’Connor et. al 536). To me, this complexity reflects in what I perceive as the U.S.’s mostly-failed efforts so far. As the supplementary video, “Failed War Efforts” explains, billions of dollars have been spent and American soldiers’ lives have been lost without truly “winning” the war on terrorism (Thomas). Frankly, I’m not sure if we will ever “win,” and I certainly do not have the solutions, but I am thankful that I live in a country that always strives for safety and peace.

Works Cited

O’Connor, Karen et al. “Ch. 18: Foreign and Defense Policy.” American Government: Roots and Reform. 12th ed. Pearson: Boston, 2016.

Thomas, George. “Failed War Efforts.” Youtube. Youtube, LLC. 15 Feb. 2014. 8 Sept.

2016.