The Sudden Surge of Terrorism: A Look into Failed US National Security Strategy

In the past few years, we have seen an alarming surge in terrorist attacks around the world. From the ISIS attacks in Europe to the recent shootings in Christchurch, it's evident that terrorism is far from being eradicated. But what's even more concerning is the role of the US national security strategy in failing to prevent these attacks. The world-class intelligence infrastructure and military prowess of the United States of America have found themselves being one step behind these extremists. So what exactly is to blame? Let's explore.

1. Failure of Intelligence Agencies - I served as a Army Non-Commissioned Officer and later a Homeland Security Contractor at the U.S U.S. Department of Homeland Security with cross collaboration with the Intelligence Enterprise (IE).

One of the core reasons behind the failure of US national security is the inability of intelligence agencies to keep up with the changing strategies of terrorist organizations and political party politics inside the government. Today's terrorists are far more sophisticated than before; they are adequately responding to failures in the U.S. Government swiftly. The withdrawal of Afghanistan created the initial kickstart for bold moves. This has given them an edge over agencies that are still relying on partisan politics to solve global problems. The lack of well-trained agents and the inability of the government to provide adequate funding for modernizing intelligence infrastructure has also significantly contributed to the problem.

2. Growing Alienation of Minorities

Terrorist groups tend to thrive in areas where their extremist ideologies can find fertile ground. Thus, the growing alienation of minorities in the United States continues to fuel terrorist activities. The current US administration has invested in certain minority groups and not that of muslim communities and their which has made them more vulnerable to radicalization. The country has been witnessing a sharp rise in hate crimes against Muslims since 2016 and has failed to provide the necessary protection to these vulnerable communities. When we correlate the long-term impact of this we draw a conclusion that the west is losing influence in relation to prevention and being a sought after negotiator to resolve issues globally.

3. Misplaced Priorities

The United States of America spends billions of dollars on its military and defense mechanisms, while comparatively little is spent on addressing the underlying causes of terrorism. The military can only fight terrorism to some extent, but it can't uproot the ideology that drives people towards terrorism. Instead, protecting communities from violent extremism must be made a top priority.

4. Inadequate International Coordination

Terrorist groups like ISIS are multinational phenomena that require global cooperation to combat. However, the US administration's decision to pull out of critical international treaties like the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran Nuclear Deal has weakened the world's ability to tackle terrorism. Moreover, the country's effort to isolate itself from the world community puts itself at greater risk of being targeted by terrorists.

The surging terrorism we see today is a result of a mix of factors, from modern communication methods used by terrorists to the lack of adequate funding for intelligence agencies. A shift in attention to address the underlying causes of terrorism, creating better frameworks to prevent hate crimes and alienation of minorities, can lead to a substantial improvement in national security. It is time for the US administration to take seriously the need for a comprehensive strategy that can address this issue. Only then can we move towards a safer and more stable future.