New York City has many unique qualities and places to visit such as Times Square, Broadway, and the Empire State Building. People come from all over to visit this famous city that is adored by many people. The large amounts of citizens who reside in or visit the city make it high risk for terrorist attacks. Terrorist attacks against the United Sates has been a major problem throughout history. Especially after September 11, 2001. New York City was targeted for that attack and was majorly affected by it. The events on 9/11 changed the how the country defended itself and the United States’ view of the world. Airport security has been altered tremendously by having metal detectors, luggage checks, and body scans just to make sure each person in each flight is as safe as possible. To help protect the United States, President Bush created the Department of Homeland Security. The department focuses on things such as preventing terrorism, immigration, and increasing cyber safety. Even after all of the changes that the country underwent, terrorist attacks still occur. On October 31st, 2017, Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov ran a rental truck into many cyclists as an attack of terror and was said to be associated with ISIS. Overall, I argue that the Department of Homeland Security can be more proactive to help protect and prevent the citizens of New York City, and the U.S. as a whole, from experiencing future terrorist attacks. Throughout this paper I will explain the history of terrorism in New York City and what changes were made following those attacks, and show what measures the U.S. resist future terrorist attacks.
Many scholars have written about terrorism. Using their research, you learn that there are two main types of terrorism; single occurring and ongoing terrorism (Siman, Bodas, Peleg 76). The United States suffers from single occurring terrorism, which is shown in major terrorist attacks, in contrast to countries such as Israel and Afghanistan who suffer from ongoing terrorism which results in constant catastrophic incidents (Siman, Bodas, Peleg 76-79). Countries that are victims of ongoing terrorism have adapted in different ways for defense and protection for their citizens; countries like Israel and Afghanistan. This is an example of how the United States can learn from different governments to strengthen its own. A way we can start preparing ourselves for terrorism is learning more about it. Lotto brings up how rage and narcissism drive acts of terrorism and how the responses to those attacks create a cycle that needs to be broken (Lotto 19). Secondly, our country needs to look back on the past to learn for the future. Although, Bakker makes a good point on how most are concerned about the present acts of terrorism rather than researching for the future (Bakker 77). I argue, that the present acts of terrorism do not give you as much information as past attacks that have occurred. When reviewing previous terrorist attacks, you can notice patterns and repeating aspects of those attacks which can help you when studying for future attacks (Bakker 79). When looking back at history, research shows that terrorist attacks peak every two years (Zahedzadeh 50). This is valuable information that is gained from researching past events. The United States learned a lot from the terrorist attack on 9/11. For example, how many people can be affected, and the different means which terrorist can attack. More than 500 deaths were recorded that day and the weapon was not one to be considered to cause all of that damage (Enders 260). Overall, the Department of Homeland Security has focused on ways to prevent terrorist attacks by cracking down on immigration laws, but the department can also do a better job of reducing vulnerability to terrorist attacks.
The timeline of terrorism in New York City is very complex. There are multiple motives for the attacks as well as the different methods that they are performed. Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries New York City has been targeted for about twenty two incidents of terrorism. The methods of attacks include stabbings, bombings, shootings, and now even vehicular attacks. By learning about these different attacks that have occurred in the most populous city in the United States, you gain valuable information and are able to see patterns. Bombings and shootings are the main methods of attack