Examining the Religious Strands of Islamic Terrorists to Enhance U.S. Security.

摘要

The September 11, 2001 attack on the United States by 19 extremist Islamic terrorists was intricately planned, calculated with extreme detail, and executed with the sole intent of attacking the United States and the ideals for which it stands. The principle aim of these extremists was to mount a simultaneous effort of death and destruction. This attack changed not only the United States, but the global community at large. Since this terrible day in our history, our people, our government, and the world have continued to work to defeat terrorism and its consequences. Recent shortfalls in dealing with Islamic nations, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, have revealed a gap between acknowledging and examining the religious strands that link the Islamic faith. There has been an insufficient understanding of the role that religion plays in Iraqi and Afghan culture, politics, society, and diplomatic relations. In looking closely at the Islamic terrorists, one can see these religious strands and examine some reasons why these extremists have used religious justifications for violence, counterinsurgency, and acts of terrorism. This paper will explore the different religious strands of the radical Islamic terrorists and how their beliefs, culture, and societal connectivity are directly linked to their acts of death, destruction, and violence. Examining these religious strands can effectively enhance the United States' national security, both domestically and globally, and ultimately achieve conflict resolution and peace.