International relations (terrorism in Iraq)

War Policies in Iraq and the USA

Name

Institutional Affiliation

War Policies in Iraq

According to Jones (2018) counterterrorism actions, policies, and strategies are among the top administrative concerns of any government or state department amid the contemporary rising scenarios of increased terror actions. However, it is quite difficult to establish clear tactics and course of preventive actions hence the need for establishing and implementing all-round and integrated policies. This paper explores anti-terrorism policies in both Iraq and the United States, focusing on how these strategies shape international relations with each other. Further, the text focuses on the role of Iraq’s money in controlling and curbing terror activities in Iraq.

The onset of the year 2007 was characterized by massive political turbulence in numerous Islamic states including the republic of Iran and Iraq (Diana.teixeira, n.d.).  For more than two decades, Iraq has been a target of numerous militias and terror groups, all who have undertaken many attacks on its soil (Jones, 2018). With the increased incidences of terrorism threats in the Islamic State country, the United Nations, the United States of America, and Iraq has strived to double its policies and resources in availing capacity building, legal help, and technical aid to the government. For instance, Iraq, in partnership with UNODC’s Terrorism Prevention category have established a program to respond to future challenges that are as a result of terror activities.  

As pointed out by Cordesman (2014) terrorism is still a huge threat that requires far serious tactics to counter.  Iraq and USA governments recognize such aspect and have therefore categorized the terror actions in a bid to lay strategies to deal with them. In Iraq, violence may be state-sponsored (terror activities from one branch of the government to another) or Dissent (terror groups rebel against the Iraqi government). Other terroristic activities are based on political ideologies, religious affiliations (such as the jihadists), and criminal groupings.

USA’s policy on terrorism aims at curbing scourge aftermaths that arise out of terrorism activities while protecting the citizens in tandem.

 Together with the American efforts and the unanimous vote at the United Nations forum to establish pressure on the two Islamic states, the USA managed to exert their influence and ultimately impacted the counterterrorism strategies in Iraq. The United States’ foreign policy has in the  past decade employed less focus on counterterrorism when compared to the years after the famous 9/11 attack (Diana.teixeira, n.d.).  Nonetheless, counterterrorism has remained an important aspect of USA’s international policy. This priority is accorded significance citing two major reasons that include the metastasizing of Salafi jihadist affiliations and the fact that Islamic states still attract prospective terroristic and insurgent threat in spite of the diminished caliphate. The US policy can also be viewed as a vital preventative tool as it inhibits terroristic affiliations from building or acquiring weapons of mass killings. Finally, the policy has in the recent past established gradual procedures of instilling historical standards that are imperative in promoting democracy among the gulf-based countries.

The change and modification of the United States anti-terrorism regulations has been characterized by turbulence and unavailability of a unanimously agreed vote of action (Jones, 2018). For instance, the state has frequently violated the “no ransom” declaration enunciated by President Nixon. Also, the lack of agreement on the nature of terror actions has been intensified by the bureaucratic and supremacy battles in various state departments. For example, President Bush’s administration on anti-terrorism policies was surrounded by heated criticism, whereby the critic themselves could not avail sustainable solutions.

U.S.A’s plan for fighting terror actions can be viewed to be both promising, but also vague and wanting. On the positive side, five aspects stand out. According to Cordesman (2014), america has in the past and will always be on the frontline in the quest for disrupting and destroying extremist groups such as the Isis, Boko haram, and the Alshabab. Mainly, such measures involves employing of intelligence and law enforcement services including the NIS and the army. The policy also shields the country’s reputation by prohibiting the USA to associate itself with countries that abet to mass killings, sponsor violent actions, or offer sanctuary to warlords (Cordesman, 2014). For example, the policy guidelines has in the past aided in destruction of uncooperative regimes such as the Taliban and toppling of the Al-Qaeda.

Internal peace and political balance in Iraq is imperative considering that it is one of the major mid-east based oil exporters. The U.S advisors and the airpower in Iraq have been useful in ensuring that Iraq is secure. The USA’s counterterrorism policy aspires to work with Iraq’s strategy in a bid to defeat ISIS and counter the terroristic activities of other affiliated extremist groups.  Additionally, USA’s administration perceives the collaboration between the two countries as beneficial since counter measures divert terrorists from attacking the states.  In the same perspective, initiation and continued counterterrorism in Iraq will not only ensure peace in the home country itself, but will ensure international harmony.

In conclusion, it is affirmative that both the United States and Iraq has strived to establish means of curbing terrorism in both countries. Though extremists are still at large in the Middle East based country, the amalgamation of both the USA and Iraq’s policies in the fight against terror have shown indications of future win.

References

Cordesman, A. (2014, April 4). Taking All the Wrong Steps in Syria, Iraq, and the Fight Against Terrorism. Retrieved from https://www.csis.org/analysis/taking-all-wrong-steps-syria-iraq-and-fight-against-terrorism

Diana.teixeira. (n.d.). UNODC launches new counter-terrorism programme in Iraq. Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2018/April/unodc-launches-new-counter-terrorism-programme-in-iraq.html

Jones, S. (2018, July 26). America's Counterterrorism Gamble. Retrieved from https://www.csis.org/analysis/americas-counterterrorism-gamble