Definition of terrorism.
Terrorism can be described as unlawful use of violence or force against property or people to provoke any group of people, government or any audience due to differences in politics of the parties involved. The major causes of terrorism includes poverty, high unemployment rate of the youths and failure to resolve national and ethnic aspirations,(Tilly 2006, 166). It can also be linked with ignorance and despair of the people involved in causing the terror attacks. Other people argue that terrorism is usually as a result of bad governance systems whereby the “failed states violate human rights and creates conditions for terrorism,”(Buolden, 2004). Terrorism is nowadays a major threat to many countries and their citizens. In his campaigns, the U.S presidential candidate John McCain has come up with various strategies he will employ to ensure that terrorism is minimized globally if he is elected the next president of America.
Homeland security.
Homeland security act refers to a bill that was enacted in a congress by “the senates and the house of representatives of the united states of America” and was given a short title of “homeland security act of 2002.” This act established a department which aims at the protection of the wellbeing of the American citizens. This department is headed by a secretary of homeland security who is appointed by the president. The secretary has full control and authority over this department and all the activities under this department. The president also appoints the other key officials that ensure smooth and effective running of this department. Its main responsibility is to minimize terrorism cases and their effects to the American citizens. It aims at preventing terrorist attacks to the Americans and any losses that may occur as a result of the attacks. This department also ensures that the American borders are secure hence cannot be attacked from the borders. It also collects any information associated with terrorism or their operations and intentions and make thorough analysis to protect the general infrastructure of America. It is also prepared on the measures it can take and apply in response to any emergency that may arise. This department also coordinates with the rest of departments in government and non-governmental organizations that are concerned with ensuring that the Americans are safe from any terrorist attacks. It is also prepared to deal with any other function that comes it way and handle it in a good manner for the benefit of Americans.
The presidential candidate John McCain is said to be the one who fought for the establishment of this department in the aftermath of 9/11. Due to his long service in the American government and the navy as an officer with a unique record of military service, he has adequate knowledge on the threats facing the Americans when terrorism is concerned. He has seen many terrorist attacks on the Americans in their country and in other foreign countries. He promises to ensure that quality intelligence has been employed in his governance that will deal with terrorists from their ‘grass roots’ by uncovering them and their practices. This will be achieved by having better spies in his government. He will ensure that the important infrastructure and the boarders are well protected against attack. He promises to look in to it that his government has the capability of responding and recovering from any terrorist attack as soon as possible.
Defense spending.
For there to be successful defense and fight on terrorism, America requires a strong military background that will be enhanced by the government. On top of giving the forces the best training in the world, military leadership and technology requires to be enhanced for the forces to ensure protection of Americans. This means that the government has to spend a lot on the military budget to meet these fundamentals. John McCain has an effective plan regarding the spending of the funds meant for defense. He plans to reform the defense procurement to enhance its good and faithful spending. He plans to have a wise budgeting for the defense and a close scrutiny of its expenditure to avoid misuse of the funds and ensuring the availability of the resources for the defense’s efficiency. He feels that through ensuring the defense’s funds are spent in the right manner, it will ensure they have enough resources to deal with cases of terrorism for the benefit of Americans, national defense and the military personell. Having served the military, he also understands the risks facing the military and has promised to ensure that they and their families, get full support of the country.
Increasing military forces in terrorist countries.
In the fight against terrorism, a large number of highly trained military personell is essential to the country of America. This is to ensure that they are enjoying protection in their country or even outside the country. Since America has deployed some of its military forces to the terrorist countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan, it means that troops defending the country are few. According to McCain, for the challenges of security to be appropriately achieved, the size of the armed forces must be enlarged. He says that by increasing the forces, it will be a step forward to the global war on terrorism. He also adds that the army and the marines are the most important ones to increase in numbers to ensure protection from any attacks. He adds that since the American armies face dangerous operations in various parts of the world, they require to be highly modernized in terms of weapons and and the training they get. This is to ensure that they succeed in the global fight against terrorism.
References
Charles, T. (2006) “HYPERLINK “http://books.google.co.ke/books?id=iHKXSvKXs3oC&pg=PA166&dq=causes+of+terrorism” Why?: [what happens when people give reasons… and why]” Publisher: Princeton University Press,(166)
