Introduction
Terrorism has existed since the existence of nation states. It is therefore not a new phenomenon as there are terrorists all over the world. Countries, political and religious groups use terrorism in order to undermine groups affiliated with particular groups or countries considered as enemies. Terrorist activities involve gathering intelligence, deploying weapons of mass destruction, cyber terrorism and in order for this terrorist activities to run smoothly, these terrorist group need finances. The US has been vulnerable to terrorism since several terrorist groups operate in the US. One of the attacks that will be remembered forever is the 9/11 after which DHS was created. Critical infrastructure assets of Homeland Security include human assets, physical infrastructure and cyber infrastructure. Cyber threats and acts of terrorism among others are a threat to critical infrastructure which include Water and Waste Water Systems, Chemical Sector, Commercial Facilities Sector, Communication, Critical Manufacturing, Dams Sector, Defence Industrial Base, Emergency Service, Government Facilities, and the Sectors of Food and Agriculture and Information among others. Terrorist groups use variety of mechanisms to raise, move and bank money.
How the US has attempted to shut off money to terrorist groups.
Terrorists use weapons of mass destruction. The deployment of such weapons lead to massive casualties and impacts negatively on affected economies which makes these weapons the most significant threat to the US. These weapons could be chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear. These terrorists extensively use the internet to facilitate their activities by promoting propaganda, recruiting new members and generating support for their activities. They also use the internet to solicit donations. The enactment of Collection of communications under the USA Patriotic act, passed by congress one of the federal antiterrorism statutes, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 under the U.S. Court of Intelligence Surveillance Court and the passing of the act to review Electronic Surveillance Warrants has aided in shutting off money supply as websites can be monitored for intelligence on different terrorist groups.
There are criminal syndicates that carry out their operations across international borders. These syndicates are a representation of large organizations of crime that are a part of many criminal activities. These terrorist groups not only depend on violence to achieve their goals but also corruption. Enactment of the USA patriotic act which also covers Money Laundering under the Federal Antiterrorism Statute passed by congress provides regulatory requirements geared towards ensuring that financial institutions formulate and implement anti-money laundering programs. Homeland Security also examines border control and immigration. The executive order of President Bill Clinton controlling of financial institutions that support terrorism has helped in shutting off money to terrorist groups. Other strategies that have helped cut money supply to terrorist groups include Infrastructural Protection State Responsibilities like sharing information with the private sector and other government agencies and coordinating activities with agencies involved with Homeland security which helps in providing greater intelligence and feedback on vetting decisions to Homeland Security and others who vet individuals before they access or migrate to the USA.
While terrorism is not the main sphere of the Middle East, many Americans focus on those terrorists who are present in the Middle East. This can be attributed to the fact that several attacks on the Americans have originated from the Middle East. One of the major concerns of the 9/11 commission was how terrorists finance their activities. Terrorist groups have financial needs and for this reason, Saudi Arabia has been identified as a major support of terrorist financing. Also, the 9/11 attacks were linked to Afghanistan and this is what led to the foundation of the Department of Homeland Security. The executive order of President Donald Trump to restrict travel from seven Muslim countries has been a major step in counterterrorism specifically in shutting off funding for terrorists. The executive order of President George W. bush on interrogating terrorist is a good strategy towards shutting off money to terrorist groups .
By disrupting illegal activity that funds terrorism, Homeland security has helped lock money to terrorist groups. Terrorist groups have been linked to selling fake goods and illegal material in e-commerce. Homeland Security is working towards improving visibility into chains of supply and putting in place technological solutions that will help identify risks associated with these unlawful financial practices.
The US has implemented a plan to protect its national infrastructure which entails accountability measurement, guiding of future expenditures and provision of an estimate of success.
Conclusion
Towards ending terrorism, the department of Homeland Security continues to improve sector assistant procedures in security, coordination of efforts geared towards counterterrorism and international standards for counterterrorism among other measures.
References
Larry K. Gaines; Victor E.; Kappeller; Janine Kremling (2019).Homeland Security and Terrorism. Pearson publishers. 2nd Edition.