Free Al Qaeda Essay Example

Since the beginning of time, every society has had to address enduring issues with different results. The enduring issue, namely conflict, has had a significant impact on humanity. Conflict can be defined as a “serious disagreement or argument. There can be a conflict between individuals, groups of people, and even nations.” (Enduring, 2022) Al Qaeda, also known as “The Base '' is connected with many disputes amongst many regions across the world. Al Qaeda is a broad-based militant Islamist organization founded by Osman Bin Laden in the 1980s. The organization established many camps throughout the world for Muslim militants, training them in paramilitary skills. The agents of these organizations are engaged in numerous terrorist attacks, including the destruction of U.S embassies. (Al Qaeda, 2022) Al Qaeda was established as a war effort against the Soviet Union. “Sometime in 1989, Al Qaeda dedicated itself to further opposing non-Islamic governments in this region with force and violence.” (Caruso, 2001)

Primarily, The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan is a dominant cause for the rise of conflict associated with Al Qaeda. “The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan on December 24, 1979. Under the pretext of upholding the Soviet-Afghan Friendship Treaty of 1978.” (Soviet, 2022) It is also believed that the Soviets invaded Afghanistan due to their geopolitical interests in the region. (Morini, 2010) Although, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan using airlift military techniques they encountered “fierce but brief resistance” from the Afghan Army. Nonetheless, as the Soviets progressed to the countryside they confronted the Afghan mujahideen (resistance fighters). The mujahideen saw the Christian/atheist Soviets as a defilement of Islam as well as their traditional culture.”(Soviet, 2022) The mujahideen employed guerrilla tactics against the Soviet Union. These tactics severely damaged the Soviet Union and led to their withdrawal in 1988. “Fifteen thousand Soviet soldiers were killed.” (Soviet, 2022). This invasion caused two major events, the Fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 and it led to the rise of Osama bin Laden which was fueled by a fertile atmosphere for terrorism.

Secondly, Iraq's invasion of Kuwait is a result of the rise in conflict associated with Al Qaeda. On August 2, 1990, Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait. Iraq invaded Kuwait in hopes to gain more control of the oil supply in the Middle East. (Iraq, 2021) The surprise attack repressed Kuwait’s defense forces. This increased Iraq's capabilities of controlling “20 percent of the world’s oil reserves.” (Iraq, 2021). On the same day, the UN ordered Iraq’s withdrawal from Kuwait. Iraq disregarded the UN’s order and continued to build up its army in Kuwait. The UN posed another proposal which Iraq refused. “On April 3rd the UN security council passed Resolution 687, specifying conditions for a formal end to the conflict.” Iraq accepted the resolution 3 days later and the UN Security Council declared the issue to be in effect on April 11. (Iraq, 2021). The US sent a coalition of nations to defend Kuwait. The goal of the US was to remove the foreigners (the Iraqi army) and stabilize the region. This attempt led by the US was a success and removed Iraq's force straightforwardly. As the conflicts in this region ceased the US implanted military bases in the Middle East. The intent was to help avoid conflicts such as invasions. The Middle East, populated by many Muslims were enraged. They believed that they were superior and did not need assistance from America (a superpower) as Afganistan had just defeated the Soviet Union.

Conflicts brought on by Al Qaeda, such as 9/11, have a wide range of implications. 9/11 was an act of terror conducted by the Islamic Extremist group, namely Al Qaeda. This group “hijacked four airplanes and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States.” This extremist group was, “allegedly, helped financially by the Al Qaeda terrorist organization of Saudi fugitive Osman Bin Laden.” Al Qaeda's acts of violence have prompted the United States to deploy counter-terrorism measures. The Department of Homeland Security was created after the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in NY, the strike on the Pentagon in Virginia, and the last plane crash in Pennsylvania. The Department of Homeland Security was issued with responsibility for border security, immigration customs, as well as disaster relief and prevention. Additionally, this assault was greatly responsible for the deterioration of the US economy. Many individuals lost their jobs and the damage done to the World Trade Center was estimated to be worth $60 billion. Unfortunately, those who were exposed to the carcinogenic fumes released by the structural damage were diagnosed with cancer linked to 9/11. “Almost 300 people were killed due to the terrorist attack.” (September, 2021)

Another incident took place on February 26, 1993 “in the parking garage of the World Trade Center in NYC.” (1993 World, 2019). This tragic event took place 8 years before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Coincidentally, the targets of both attacks are similar, The World Trade Center. Although the US is one of Al Qaeda’s objectives, this conflict can be seen throughout many regions. ”The group has been involved in numerous terrorist attacks around the world, prior to that point it had not attacked America or its citizens directly.”. On August 7th, 1998, Al Qaeda bombed an American embassy in Tanzania which sadly, killed “224 people and injured thousands more.” Many people included in this extremist group are brainwashed by the headmaster, Osman Bin Laden. He published a “Fatwa (religious edict) the previous February which declared, “The ruling to kill the Americans and their allies—civilian and military—is an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in any country in which it is possible to do it.” (Lewis, 2018). Osman Bin Laden uses his power and influence to brainwash and control the people.

Many attempts at solving the Al Qaeda crisis have been made throughout the years. One solution is permeable borders, immigration control, and permeable aviation. After the September 11th attack on the United States. This solution has gained popularity and is seen as effective for the most part. These measures could only be taken due to the advancements in technology. Some technology advancements include CAT machines (Credential Authentication Technology), CT machines (Computed Tomography), and AIT (Advanced Imaging Technology). The CAT machines “verify identification documents presented by passengers during the security screening and confirm a passengers flight information and vetting status without the need for our officers to see a boarding pass.” Similarly, the CT machine, “produces high-quality 3-D images that can be rotated up to 360 degrees on three axes for a more thorough visual analysis of a carry-on bag’s contents.” Similarly the AIT, “safely screens passengers for both metallic and non-metallic threats such as weapons and explosives without physical contact.” (Pekoske, 2021) All of these developments have resulted in increased security within the United States which has shown to be beneficial in preventing hostilities with Al Qaeda.

Furthermore, the attacks of Al Qaeda have led to a period known as the War on Terror. After the attack on the World Trade Center, NY in 2001, President George W. Bush declared his intent “to seek out and stop terrorists.” “GWOT” or Global War on terror can be associated with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Global, 2022) (This term is used to represent steps made to prevent terrorists from receiving funding or finding a haven.) Within the first 100 days of this war, American President George W. Bush expanded homeland security and managed to build a worldwide coalition. The War on Terror has had many positive effects. Primarily, many Al Qaeda terrorist camps were demolished. The Taliban’s presence in countries like Afghanistan was weakened. Ultimately, this War aided the innocent people of Afghanistan in their recovery from the “Taliban’s reign of Terror.” (Bush, 2001)

Although Al Qaeda’s strategies and tactics continue to strengthen and grow, the violence and intensity of their attacks have been maintained and have fortunately decreased as the years progressed. These solutions of permeable borders, immigration control, permeable Aviation, and the War on Terror have all been effective ways to maintain and decrease the conflicts associated with Al Qaeda. On a larger scale, this issue can be connected to the larger enduring issue, the impact of conflict. Al Qaeda attacks nations like the US which cause both internal and external conflicts. In conclusion, Al Qaeda will continue to target nations that oppose their ideologies (non-Islamic governments).