Terrorism Essay Research Paper Terrorism vs TerrorismOn

Terrorism Essay, Research Paper Terrorism vs. Terrorism On an early Tuesday morning, many families arose for another typical day. Unaware of a nearing attack, they carried out their daily routine. Tragically, instead of taking their children to school and going to work, they would be cowering for their lives. Attacks carried out by terrorists destroyed their homes and places of work. These terrorists came from a foreign nation, and attacked from the sky. They did not attack in hopes of pleasing a god, or to have family members released from prison. Instead, they came with F-16 fighter jets representing the United States of America, in hopes for keeping a steady cash and oil flow to their nation. To many citizens across the Arab nations, the people of the United States are the

terrorists. Their families have been killed, and their lives destroyed. In turn, they retaliate with suicide bombers and other fighters claiming revenge and praise from their god Allah. Who then, is the terrorist? The United States and its allies have seemingly been attacked repeatedly and unprovoked. From the 1980’s to present, the United States has dealt with the wrath of terrorism. From hijacked aircraft, to bombing of sovereign US buildings, terrorists have tried to get their message across to their “enemies” by wreaking havoc. One must look at why the United States is perceived as the “bad guy” and what motives the terrorists have for destroying it, and its allies. In October and April of 1983, Americans were greeted by what would be a start of numerous terrorist

acts against the United States. In Beirut, a car bomb exploded in front of the U.S. embassy killing seventeen Americans. Then, in a separate attack in Beirut, over 250 American soldiers were killed, and more than one hundred others were wounded. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for both, calling the bombing “part of the Islamic revolution” (Goodson, 52). A Jihad, as defined by the Koran, is a holy war. According to terrorists, the holy war must be waged against the infidel, the United States of America. To some Arabs, the holy war is a farce, and is a travesty to all Arabs. To terrorists and people like Bin Laden, it is a justified war that will continue until their “mission is complete.” Their only motives are to kill their enemy. They do not need a justified reason,

just an excuse for ridding their land of evil people. Although the United States imposed some financial and social power in the Arab nations, is this carnage necessary? The Arabs, however, did not care. In June of 1985, Trans World Airlines (TWA) Flight 847 from Athens to Rome was hijacked by a group of men. Their mission, although failed, was once again in the name of an Islamic Jihad, or Holy War. This war would be an ever-lasting mission to rid the world of evil (the allies and citizens of the US). Why the United States, many people ask? Leaders such as Moammar Gadhafi of Libya, and Usama Bin Laden of Saudi Arabia despise western influence in the Arab world. They feel and have stated that the United States tries to impose its culture, and its financial power in their land.

With US oil, clothing, and food companies in the Arab nations, the Arab leaders believe that the US is soiling their great land (Beres, 15). They feel that their only way to expunge them is by killing. Just the presence of the United States was not enough to anger the Arab extremists. The multiple attacks that have been targeted at the United States were in retaliation for the United States’ actions. In the hopes of keeping oil prices low, and maintaining diplomacy abroad, the United States has sent troops and planes abroad to keep control. These actions led to destruction of cities, and the loss of thousands of lives; both civilian and military. In 1986 Libyan terrorists blew up a German discoth?que killing an American soldier. The United States could not stand idly by. Days