HLSC730 Week 8 Discussion: The Future is Already Here
Based on your readings from the text and your own research how do
you see terrorism evolving if it will over the next several decades?
What role do you think cyber and WMD (CBRNE) will play in the
coming decades? Lastly, how are we doing in regard to
counterterrorism and counterintelligence? What is one thing you
would fix or change right now if you could in this respect?
Finally, please share your thoughts about the course. Did this course cause
you to change your mind or opinion about anything related to homeland
security? What was it? Why or why not - maybe something was reinforced - if
so explain. What was the most important thing you learned in this course
(Purity the course was "Counterterrorism and Counterintelligence
Strategies) and why?**
HLSC730 Week 8 Discussion: The Future is Already Here
In the next few decades, terrorist acts will become more prevalent and use more
sophisticated technology. The desire for power and expansion and religious and ethnic
fanaticism has not diminished over the years. Rather it has increased in intensity when it comes
to terrorism. The fundamentalists within the Islamic religion have been persistent in their efforts
to establish dominance in various regions of the globe, including some nations in Europe (Putra
& Sumaryani, 2021). The majority of the Gulf region's nations are already under their sway.
However, most terrorists in Arab countries are in jihad, claiming that god calls for violence. The
Bible clarifies the fundamental principle of terrorism when it says, "Man has dominated man to
his harm" (Ecclesiastes 8:9). The revolution that has taken place in the sphere of communication
has made it feasible for such brainwashing information to be easily transmitted. Even operations
associated with terrorism use the most recent advancements in science and technology to
continue operating (Putra & Sumaryani, 2021). The return of the Taliban to power in
Afghanistan poses a significant risk to all countries around the globe since the Taliban are once
again plotting strikes in countries all over the world. As a result, we might anticipate an increase
in terrorist acts in the years to come.
Cyber and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) will play a significant part in future
terrorism. If the terrorists could get their hands on WMD, I have no doubt they would put them
to use. Recent intelligence assessments have shown that terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda and
the Taliban have made many efforts to get access to nuclear weapons sites in Pakistan and
Afghanistan. Cyber threats are also proving to be vital weapons, especially in the attack on
critical infrastructures. There have been recent confrontations through cyberattacks involving
Iraq, Russia, and the US. And with technological advancements, cyberattacks are bound to
increase in the future.
Most counterintelligence techniques use domestic intelligence and ordinary police, while
most counterterrorism efforts employ classic methods such as intercepting terrorist
communications and tracking down dangerous individuals. The extension of military capability
and activities by law enforcement agencies is directly attributable to the development of various
technologies. The fact that domestic intelligence agencies often target certain groups based on
their country of origin or religion has been a major source of political concern (Tromblay, 2019).
Because it violates people's civil freedoms, widespread monitoring of a whole society has been
criticized. Homegrown terrorists, such as lone wolves, are notoriously hard to track down since
their legal standing or citizenship might make it difficult for authorities to identify them.
When considering the scope of the problem, we must consider the ongoing development
of conventional and nuclear weapons. If terrorists were to obtain these types of weapons, it is
highly likely that they would use them to carry out attacks that would cause widespread loss of
life and property.
In this class, my perspective on homeland security has evolved somewhat, but at the same
time, certain aspects of my ideas regarding homeland security have been strengthened. In that
course, I gained an understanding of the stages of counterintelligence and the significance of
those phases to how the country reacts to the occurrence of terrorism. After finishing this course,
I have a better understanding of how comprehensive homeland security is, and I realize that how
we react to a terrorist attack is just as vital as preventing it from happening in the first place. The
requirement of working together and getting along with others is what struck me as the single
most significant lesson that I picked up from this class. When a terrorist incident occurs, many
governmental and private organizations and the police, fire, and emergency medical service
professionals rush to the site to provide assistance. We are seeing a more effective reaction and
recovery, along with more comprehensive planning and training, due to the adoption of many
programs led by the intelligence community.
Respectfully,
Al
References
Putra, D. A., & Sumaryani, N. M. (2021). Terrorism and Jihad in Islamic Perspective.
International Journal of Islamic Khazanah, 11(2). 78-89
http://dx.doi.org/10.15575/ijik.v11i2.12483
Tromblay, D. E. (2019). Spying: Assessing US domestic intelligence since 9/11. Lynne Rienner
Publishers.
