Perspectives of Terrorism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Perspectives of Terrorism - Essay Example Immediately following and as a reactionary response to September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the U.S., President George W. Bush stated the county’s intent to initiate a ‘War on Terrorism’ which he characterized as a prolonged battle against those that would employ terrorist actions along with the nations that enabled them. In addition, the U.S. Congress gave formal authorization to the President on September 18, 2001 to â€Å"use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons† (U.S. Code 2002). Following this proclamation, Bush made his infamous ‘dead or alive’ speech on October 10, 2001, and offered a list of Americaâ₠¬â„¢s 22 most-wanted terrorists.During his State of the Union Address on September 20, 2001, Bush presented his position to the American people and the assembled body of Congress. â€Å"Our war on terror begins with al-Qaida, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated†. On November 13, 2001, in the first such occasion since World War II, Bush signed into law an executive order that allows military tribunals to use any actions they deem necessary.... "Our war on terror begins with al-Qaida, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated" (White House, 2001). On November 13, 2001, in the first such occasion since World War II, Bush signed into law an executive order that allows military tribunals to use any actions they deem necessary. The U.S. military could now imprison for an indefinite period of time and without representation, any person of foreign nationality who are simply alleged to have associations with terrorist activities. For example, when the U.S. invaded Afghanistan, legal advisors tied closely to the ideology of the Bush administration within the Justice Department's Office advised Bush that the U.S. was not legally bound by the U.N. Charter or international laws with regard to rules of engaging a perceived enemy. These views were echoed by Alberto Gonzales, then White House legal advisor for the President and now Attorney General of the U .S. He also advised President Bush that he did not have to comply with the Geneva Conventions in the handling of prisoners, or 'detainees' in this war on terror (Calame, 2006). This opinion, shared by legal counsels to the President, applied to not only those directly affiliated with al Qa'ida but to the entire ruling party in Afghanistan, the Taliban, because, as they argued, Afghanistan was a 'failed state' (Mayer, 2005, p. 32). The Bush administration chose to follow the advice of this jaded, self serving legal opinion in spite of strong disagreement by the U.S. State Department which cautioned against disregarding U.N. and international laws as well as covenants of the