Retaliatory Terrorism on United States Foreign Policy in the Middle East

Abstract

Terrorism has become a global issue over the years and in the recent years the international system has marshalled efforts to deal with this menace in what is commonly denoted to as ‘Global War on Terror’. Since the rise of terrorist activities in the 80’s, there has been an upward trend and new forms of terror which culminated in the September 11, 2001 attacks on USA soil and subsequent rise of factions such as ISIS and Al Shabaab. The then President of USA George W. Bush declared ‘War on Terror’ which saw a drastic reaction to terror networks and their ‘sympathizers’ a group he referred to as ‘the Axis of Evil.’ Afghanistan and Iraq were the immediate casualties of this. But then terrorism against the United States had its roots back in the 1980’s when the USA became an active player in Middle East affairs. A section of the natives of the Middle East region, key among them being Osama Bin Laden, became infuriated by the presence of USA military and soon afterwards declared that they were opposed to the presence and demanded that the USA leaves. However, this did not happen as the USA was and is still pursuing its interest in the region. Then came the attacks targeting the USA and her Allies which have now spread across the globe. To this end, different USA governments have instituted foreign policies that cater for their needs in the region while at the same time guarding Westerners against the attacks. There has been a protracted battle between the USA and her Allies on one side and the terrorists and their supporters on the other. It has been argued over the years that the USA and her Allies are to blame for the continued attacks on them because of their foreign policies on the Middle East region which have put them on collision mode. This research seeks to find out if indeed the USA foreign policy on the region has an effect on the retaliatory terrorism experienced against the USA and her Western Allies.