Spencer Hogue. February 27, 2017. Instructor: Mrs. Nutter.

September 11th catalyzed a major revival in the American public’s concern for domestic national security, which had dropped off following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The attacks, which were the first on American soil since Pearl Harbor, prompted American leaders to respond with swift and ambitious military action. At this time, the public perceived security of American territory against “terrorism”–an intentionally broad and emotionally charged term– as its chief national interest. Following the attack, President Bush announced the launch of a “global war on terror”, an international effort to combat terrorist groups and the nations that harbor them–prompting him to establish the Department of Homeland Security later that year.

On September 11, 2001, the world as Americans where familiar with changed forever. As one of the world’s great super power nations Americans were sure that no one would ever raise a hand against them. Even before that day attacks made on American were small, or thwarted, or the culprits were quickly named and brought to justice. The terrorists who attacked American that day changed the game book, changed the way Americans felt about their safety and began a war that has no real face, no easily identifiable agenda, and no quick ending in sight. To protect the country President George W. Bush signed into law the Patriot Act and help create the office of Homeland Security. Guantanamo Bay was deemed the place to hold those arrested for

In the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, former President George W. Bush gave a speech that resonated with millions of people. “America was targeted for attack because we 're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world,” said Bush. This rhetoric became a popular opinion which still lasts today. However, it is misleading. The true events that produced the 9/11 attacks are not realized by most Americans. In reality, the September 11th terrorist attacks were a product of the history of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, particularly regarding the covert operations enacted during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.

A Writ of Habeas Corpus is an authoritative order forcing governments to provide the “body” of the detainee in which the legality of their detention and individual liberties will be challenged. Historically associated with civil liberty violation and the injustice of illegally detaining potentially enemies of the state, jurisdictional issues regarding their detaining location have made justice difficult to administer and deliver. Detaining enemies for their participation, involvement, and/or ties to threats of terror towards the United States will result the confinement of combatants, as solidified by the US Constitution, however, to what extent will they be forced to stay?. Residents of Guantanamo Bay are just; enemies of the

The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the downing of an airplane by passengers on September 11, 2001 left many Americans reeling with fear and feeling vulnerable. The American people no longer felt safe and protected on their homeland soil. It was a violation of security that united not only the American people, but countries around the world. Shortly after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, then President, George W. Bush, proposed the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. Prior to this proposal, the responsibility to protect the nation’s security fell to over 100 different government agencies. Not one of these agencies saw homeland security as their primary goal. The newly created

In 2002, the Bush administration adopted the already established Guantanamo Bay Naval Base to detain suspected terrorist from Al-Qaeda, the Taliban and members of other terrorist organizations during the Global War on Terrorism. In 2002, the first 20 detainees arrived at Guantanamo Bay and they were considered “Unlawful Enemy Combatants” and not “Prisoners of War” because they did not fall under the Geneva Conventions. An estimated 779 detainees have been held at Guantanamo Bay and an around 140 remain.

It was the terrorist attack that occurred on September 11, 2001 that shook America and the rest of the world and contributed to the rise of Islamic militancy and terrorism. On that day, members from al-Quaeda, an Islamic militant group, had hijacked four planes and caused destruction on American soil. As a result, President George W. Bush was able to gain public support on his “tough talk about bringing terrorists to justice.” (826) President Bush ultimately declared and upheld “a global war on terror” that ignited the passions of many Americans and received much support from other nations. Pushing on with the support of many people on his international objectives, President Bush unsucessfully dispatched “American forces to Afghanistan to hunt down bin Laden, destroy al-Quaeda training camps, and topple the Taliban government that had provided a haven for the terrorists.” (826)

Terrorism has been in existence for many decades. Most recently, the events of September 11th, 2001 have sparked discussions and controversies on the issue of the war on terror. Many nation’s and organization’s have different definitions of terrorism, what laws should be used when dealing with terrorism, and whether or not it is time to rethink the rules of the war on terror. Twelve years after the attacks of 9/11 I believe it is time to reconsider, especially the United State’s rules, on terrorism and the war on terror.

The government can put an end to the controversy and spectacle surrounding what Guantanamo Bay is and does; yet it is still unable to officially close down the prison. There are many positive impacts that closing the prison will have on the United States and the global community collectively. Setting the precedent for being on the forefront of human rights for other countries to follow is one major plus. Human rights violations occur across the globe, in the United States and elsewhere, and establishing a standard for everyone to follow will be a huge step for improving the quality of life for all of Earth’s inhabitants. The Guantanamo Bay Detention Center desperately needs to be closed in an effort to prevent other countries from aiding and abetting horrific violations to society’s civil

This newfound paranoia within the US is best epitomised by the fact that exactly a week after “September the 11th my class was sent home from school because a child said “im going to kill you” as the school ‘ in light of recent events took the accusation very seriously’. Yet what was the most significant aspect of the 9-11 attacks for American foreign policy can be seen to be the birth of the National security state. the introduction of the “patriot act” which focus was “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001” (USA PATRIOT ACT) ACT OF 2001) and the creation of Homeland security has arguably added a sinister edge to US foreign policy. The US now can be described as an international “Police state” ( bamford 2009). This creation of Homeland security and the NSA can be seen directly resultant of reports that as Bamford points to information that he believes that the NSA knew prior to the attack and points out the lack of cooperation between the NSA and the FBI that, perhaps, led to the failure of our government to stop the plot” ( Christiansen

The 9/11 attacks in Washington, Pennsylvania and New York brought to attention the threat of international terrorism and the devastation that it could cause for the major powers. These attacks provided the motivation that the Bush administration needed to authorise the invasion of Iraq. With the attacks brought the realisation that non-state groups had the capacity and willingness to strike against the USA and that the US no longer had a monopoly over war therefore validating the use of force against terrorist organizations (Amin, 2006). In light of 9/11 and other attacks aimed at the USA, the US embarked on a highly militarised anti-terrorist campaign (Bassil, 2012). In his 2002 State of the Union address, President George W. Bush confirmed

As Nelson Mandela once said, “To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.” Guantánamo bay, Cuba is the home of the oldest U.S naval station base out of the continental U.S. The United States invaded Guantánamo bay and established a base during the Spanish-American war (“Guantanamo...” 2008, par. 2). After the attack on the twin towers on September 11, 2001, the base’s mission expanded to include the Detainee Mission of the War of Terror (“Guantanamo…” 2008, par. 5). Many issues have risen because of this detention facility. The detainees held at the facility have to and had to face many challenges. The government took away their human rights and treats these detainees very harshly. Currently, there are still detainees held at Guantánamo bay. However, some actions have occurred to stop these inhumane actions, but there have not been enough to close the facility down.

British politician and writer, George Galloway, has excellently stated, “Anyone will talk under torture.” Guantanamo Bay, an assortment of detention camps to capture and detain foreign threats, is the 21st century manifestation of torture, societal waste, and degradation. Located near Cuba, Guantanamo’s reputation of “making anyone talk” has lead to it becoming unparalleled in the political benefits it provides. However, “making anyone talk”, is not a job that comes without repercussions. Guantanamo, built upon standards that are antiparallel to American ideals, has lead to significant violations of fundamental human rights, exorbitant economic burdens, consistent abuse of prisoners, and disobedience of US and international laws.

The creation of Guantanamo Bay served the multiple purposes to detain suspected terrorist, to collect probable Intelligence, and to protect citizens from possible further terrorist attacks perpetrated by the detained individuals. The creation of the GTMO detention facilities were born out a perceived necessity to strengthen the United States’ national security after the tragic events of September 11, 2001. However, throughout Guantanamo Bay’s duration as a strategic level detention facility GTMO has fallen under vast amounts of criticism levied from all corners of the world. With the imminent closure of the detention centers at Guantanamo Bay, the closure underlines the bigger issue that a legal alternative

After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Bush administration declared a worldwide "war on terror,” consisting of open and covert military operations and security legislations in an effort to block the financing of terrorism. The U.S. called for states across world to join their fight against terrorism (Globalpolicy.org, 2015). This essay will be arguing if the U.S. was justified in their advances or if they have used the attacks against them in order to launch a war against those it suspected, using the attacks as a justification for torture and mistreatment of people across the world.