A ‘Paradigm of Prevention:’ United States Counterterrorism Strategies in a Transnational World

Abstract

Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States commenced a global offensive against terrorism. From the Middle East, to South Asia, and on the home front, American power was brought to bear on terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda and its affiliates dedicated to attacking U.S. interests. Ultimately, since the 9/11 attacks, the foundation for U.S. counter-terrorism has followed, what a former national security official labeled, a “paradigm of prevention.” This chapter seeks to build on the works by terrorism experts and scholars of the past decade by comprehensively examining U.S. counterterrorism strategy in a post-9/11 world. Since the attack on the American homeland, U.S. policymakers have been in a search for consensus on how to best confront terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda, the Islamic State, and other transnational groups. Several important questions confronted American leaders as the country prepared to combat terrorism. These included determining just exactly what constituted a threat to the American homeland. Should Washington chart a strictly offensive strategy? How much should nation-building and the spread of democracy play a factor into the U.S. approach? What personal freedoms, enjoyed by American citizens, were needed to be curtailed in order to achieve security? Perhaps the most important question facing U.S. national security included whether or not global terrorism could be defeated.