To Prevent, Prepare For, and Pursue Terror

Terrorism is an act of violence committed by a person or persons intended to inflict fear and harm to another being in hopes that they submit into their demands. Britain has had a clear history of refusing to fall victim to these stipulations. Combating terrorism has become a way of life for the British. Through the Middle Ages, American Revolution, and many current events Britain has had an outstanding resume suppressing terror.

Although many feel that counter-terrorism legislation stifles one's ability to exercise democracy, their very well-being and commonwealth depends on it. Preventing and preparing for a terrorist attack has molded and transformed the British government and society since the inception of British sovereignty. In a post 9/11 society, the United Kingdom has sanctioned legislation to pursue terrorists domestically and overseas.

Preventing terrorism through social and physical means has transpired to be an underlying motif in British society. British philosophers and intellects have tackled the modus opperandi behind the facilitation of terrorism recruitment and its importance via British society.

Although many believe Socioeconomic grievances are to blame for extremist Islamic terrorism, many fail to realize it is a matter of one trying to instill change in the world and acquire symbolic power above all else. In concurrence, a senior annalist at the Foreign Policy Research Institute states, "Islamic terrorism, just as its Marxist or secessionist version in the West and Latin America was, is a matter of power- who has it and how to get it- not of poverty" (Radu). After all, a staggering percentage of terrorists have graduate degrees and are born with silver spoons in their mouths; Osama Bin Laden himself came from a background of royalty and unparalleled amounts of wealth. Yet, Osama Bin Laden would be willing to sacrifice his comfortable lifestyle and leave his family in an effort to inflict change in the world (Pipes).

The British public took the initiative to verbally challenge the powerful philosophy and ideological motivation Al Qaeda and its adherents use to recruit "freedom fighters". The United Kingdom publicly rejected Al Qaeda's assertion that loyalty to Islam and modern democracy are intrinsically opposed to one another. In a press release condemning the 9/11 attacks, The Muslim Council of Britain said, "We utterly condemn these indiscriminate terrorist attacks against innocent lives. The perpetrators of these atrocities, regardless of their religious, ideological or political beliefs, stand outside the pale of civilized values" (Ray, Tang).

Through preemptive measures and technological augmentations, Britain has intrinsically diluted the possibility of a terrorist attack. The British government has taken every preventative measure to avert any chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attack; as well as, subdue any illegal immigrants and obtain perilous resources at the borders. Further, they have taken every necessary precaution to freeze terrorist's assets.

The Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Resilience Science and Technology Program produces and develops technological solutions to enhance the capability of the response; as well as, ensures the procedure be safe and effective. The integration with government agencies and departments ensure that research and development is undertaken in the most pressing areas where the threat is the greatest. In addition, the CBRN science and technology program also covers the development of possible scenarios so that planning countermeasures can be based on a realistic scientific representation that helps to focus resources on the most likely risks society may face. According to a London Underground spokeswoman, "[Britain] has regular drills and always has an annual live emergency with actors and actresses playing key parts in the incident" (Is Britain Ready For a Terrorist Attack?). Furthermore, extensive research projects are being put in place to cover areas where expertise and understanding is less advanced (Home Office/ The Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Science and Technology program).

The United Kingdom's strengthened border control has successfully detained and deterred countless amounts of terrorists. Britain has taken a wide range of measures to further strengthen airport and seaport security in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks in the United States. Evidence of this has become apparent through the intensive screening and searching of passengers and baggage at airports and seaports. Newly granted powers, given to authorities to check suspicious passengers, have made it increasingly difficult for a terrorist to smuggle harmful weapons into or out of the country. In addition to the new regulations and precautions, new equipment has been introduced at all United Kingdom seaports and airports so that proper British personnel can routinely screen for illicit importation of radioactive materials. Moreover, new detection technology has been installed at the Channel Tunnel entry points and the port of Calais to check for illegal aliens concealed in trains (Home Office/ Border Control/ Strengthened security). A crucial progression in preventative terror has been the significant increase of security at small airstrips. In concurrence, a spokeswoman for the British Airport Authority stated that, "Security has been stepped up at Britain's smaller airstrips and people can no longer turn up and ask to fly in a light aircraft" (Is Britain Ready For a Terrorist Attack?).

Through legislation, Examining Officers for Police, Immigration and Customs have the power to stop, question, search and detain any individual entering or leaving the United Kingdom to determine one's involvement in the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism. In addition, air and sea carriers are required to supply information to an Examining Officer regarding the passengers on board, the crew, and cargo traveling from and to Great Britain. However, this power is limited to exceptional circumstances, enabling British government to flex their executive power while maintaining everyone's civil liberties (Home Office/ Border Control).

The effort to disrupt the flow of money to terrorists, both at home and internationally, is an important element of counter-terrorism. Britain continues to track, freeze, and disrupt terrorist money flows, and they use the intelligence gained from terrorist finance investigations to develop valuable insight into the methodology of terrorist operations.

A nominal amount of money is needed to finance a terrorist attack. As a result, terrorists find numerous underground sources in which they can obtain funds, one being organized crime. According to the Proceeds