Ultimate Terrorists Term Paper

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 1074 words ( 4 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 0

Page 1 of 4

Ultimate Terrorists by Jessica Stern

Since September 11, 2001, Stern's book The Ultimate Terrorists has taken on a deeper meaning. Written in 1999, when America held onto the idea that terrorist activity was something that took place on foreign shores, Stern's book details in advance many of the factors in play which created the 9-11 tragedy. Terrorists have shifted their perspective from activity which gains power for their political or religious party to choosing targets just for the purpose of 'making a statement.' Again, 9-11 was a vivid example of the meaninglessness of their fanatical approach. While buildings, lives, and economic power were lost, the resulting "War on Terror" has all but destroyed their ability to further their plans.

Nonetheless, The Ultimate Terrorists is a timely book on a vitally important subject. Jessica Stern, former National Security Council staffer, explains with chilling lucidity why it is becoming more likely that those threats will materialize into a major terrorist incident featuring a weapon of mass destruction (WMD). She has done a thorough job of research and presents her arguments with clarity and force. This book, combined with the new reality of a post 9-11 world, should be a wake up call for Americans.

The Ultimate Terrorists lays out three main points. First, the threat of chemical, biological and nuclear terrorism is indeed significant, and the emergence of nontraditional terrorist groups -- religious fanatics, death cults and disturbed activists -- adds a shiver of uncertainty to the mix. These groups do not have the social conscience which their predecessors possessed. They think nothing of destroying as many lives as possible for no other purpose than spreading terror and chaos.

Stuck Writing Your "Ultimate Terrorists" Term Paper?

View All Our Example Ultimate Terrorists Term Paper

Have A Custom Example Essay Written



Second, Stern discusses those more fitting defense efforts, such as assisting in the disposal of the Russian nuclear arsenal, and identifying the whereabouts of any "loose nukes." Stern was one of the first to call for beefing up weapons detection efforts at airports, and preparing emergency services health responses for the possibility of a WMD attack. She insisted that working on these areas by which the country is most vulnerable to attack, the country would bolster both U.S. And international security efforts. Since the end of the cold war, Stern writes that "ballistic missiles are the least likely method of delivery," Stern writes, "and yet Congress regularly allocates more money to ballistic-missile defense than the Pentagon says it can use -- roughly ten times what is spent to prevent WMD terrorism."

Finally, Stern discusses how the threat of WMD terrorism, real as it is, has been exaggerated to the point of needless panic. In her examination of non-traditional terrorism, Stern points to a practical divide between will and ability. State-sponsored terrorists can do the most damage, but they're constrained by fear of retribution and of bad publicity. Fringe groups, on the other hand, may have the will to destroy, but they lack the money or the sponsorship to cause much damage. Therefore, one of the most important tasks for improving the security of our country is identifying any connections between the fringe groups, with the will, and the state sponsor who possess the money.

For example, how do we classify, or identify religious fanatics who are also state-sponsored political groups?….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Ultimate Terrorists" (2003, October 12) Retrieved May 20, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/ultimate-terrorists-154713
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example