War on Terror
Attempting to prevent another 9/11 and secure our safety for future generations by eliminating terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda.
However to maintain the utmost security, all actions are covert.
Attempting to prevent another 9/11 and secure our safety for future generations by eliminating terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda.
However to maintain the utmost security, all actions are covert.
Realizing the potential danger America faced post 9/11, intelligence agencies became even more secretive and cautious. They not only took a greater role at home by beginning to phone tap and track emails, but also abroad early on through Operation Greystone. Operation Greystone was enacted by George W Bush, and it sent CIA in front of the military for the first time, in order to go after Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. This was the start of a new covert war style. Whereas most wars are a show of power, this was about infiltration for information.
Quote George W Bush "I want the CIA in there first"
Quote George W Bush "I want the CIA in there first"
While in Afghanistan, the CIA joined up with the Northern Alliance, a resistance force made up of rebels, and from the shadows effectively began dismantling the Taliban. This led to many victories, and was also when it was dubbed as the “War on Terror”
During this time, however, actions in war rose concerns at home.
One event that raised concerns of the scope of government power was a drone missile that blew up a vehicle with an Al Qaeda leader. Although the government called it a success and celebrated, many were unaware of the power of government weapons and the ability of the government to kill easily.
The major problem is that because everything is now done in secret, no one truly knows the extent to which the government is performing.
A second occurrence was the enhanced interrogation techniques that ensured, such as water boarding which is considered torture but was labeled as an “enhanced technique” and approved by the Justice Department.
In addition, the CIA has created a series of “black sites” throughout the world, which are prison camps for people to be tortured in. Again, in complete secrecy.
During this time, however, actions in war rose concerns at home.
One event that raised concerns of the scope of government power was a drone missile that blew up a vehicle with an Al Qaeda leader. Although the government called it a success and celebrated, many were unaware of the power of government weapons and the ability of the government to kill easily.
The major problem is that because everything is now done in secret, no one truly knows the extent to which the government is performing.
A second occurrence was the enhanced interrogation techniques that ensured, such as water boarding which is considered torture but was labeled as an “enhanced technique” and approved by the Justice Department.
In addition, the CIA has created a series of “black sites” throughout the world, which are prison camps for people to be tortured in. Again, in complete secrecy.
Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld began a program called Joint Special Operations Command, which singles out terrorist leaders and kills them one by one. They don’t call themselves a covert operation but instead military operation to avoid needing approval of president and effectively doing as they please. JSOC operates with CIA special activities division.
Donald Rumsfeld also created the Office of Special Plans, which created links that the CIA would not release. It was used to create the link between Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda. It has "all source clearance,” the ability to access all information.
The OSP uses unapproved troops, acting independently and with mainly political intent in Iraq.
2004 July 18 CIA leads troops to Pakistan, and attacks to defeat Al Qaeda and terrorists
They then attacked Iraq to prevent damage from weapons of mass destruction and Saddam Hussien, and eventually led to the creation of the NSA at home. It intercepts phone calls and emails without warrant, all in effort of preventing another 9/11.
This was allowed by the Terrorist Surveillance Program, enacted by Bush.
At this time, these new anti-terrorist groups have far more power than they should, being not regulated and also closed off to public knowledge.
Donald Rumsfeld also created the Office of Special Plans, which created links that the CIA would not release. It was used to create the link between Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda. It has "all source clearance,” the ability to access all information.
The OSP uses unapproved troops, acting independently and with mainly political intent in Iraq.
2004 July 18 CIA leads troops to Pakistan, and attacks to defeat Al Qaeda and terrorists
They then attacked Iraq to prevent damage from weapons of mass destruction and Saddam Hussien, and eventually led to the creation of the NSA at home. It intercepts phone calls and emails without warrant, all in effort of preventing another 9/11.
This was allowed by the Terrorist Surveillance Program, enacted by Bush.
At this time, these new anti-terrorist groups have far more power than they should, being not regulated and also closed off to public knowledge.
In fact, after 8 months, it turned out there wasn't any “weapons of mass destruction” at all in Iraq, and the CIA took blame for an intelligence failure. It begs the question of just how much they know, and the lack of reason behind their activity.
A few years later, Obama was sworn in and swore to end invading privacy. Yet it turns out he reauthorized many programs including Greystone to find Osama Bin Laden. JSOC raids, drone strikes, and essentially every program was kept or increased in order to continue fighting a "War on Terror."
About 1.448 trillion dollars has been spent so far, and yet the only notable achievement is the death of Osama Bin Laden. Perhaps instead of all this need to keep all actions secret, the government updates the public so it can realize if a search such as for WMD's is hopeless and stop activity on it, and then try to refocus on other good leads on terrorist groups.
A few years later, Obama was sworn in and swore to end invading privacy. Yet it turns out he reauthorized many programs including Greystone to find Osama Bin Laden. JSOC raids, drone strikes, and essentially every program was kept or increased in order to continue fighting a "War on Terror."
About 1.448 trillion dollars has been spent so far, and yet the only notable achievement is the death of Osama Bin Laden. Perhaps instead of all this need to keep all actions secret, the government updates the public so it can realize if a search such as for WMD's is hopeless and stop activity on it, and then try to refocus on other good leads on terrorist groups.