The War Against Terrorism: As the U.S. prepares to strike at terrorists, Americans face big changes in their way of life. (USA).

"Our war on terror...will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped, and defeated."

--President George W. Bush

Within two weeks of last month's devastating terrorist attacks, U.S. troops were on the move. The aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt steamed east for points unknown. F-15 fighter jets and B-1 bombers flew off to secret destinations. Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division--the legendary "Screaming Eagles"--packed their gear and prepared to ship out at a moment's notice. But when or to where no one knew.

"I have a message for our military," President George W. Bush told the nation nine days after terrorists destroyed New York City's World Trade Center and damaged the Pentagon: "Be ready!"

But ready for what? That's a question many Americans are asking. This promises to be a conflict unlike anything the U.S. has ever faced. The military hopes to punish the terrorist groups responsible for the September 11 attacks. But it is clear that the campaign against terrorism will affect the lives of all Americans, not just the soldiers on distant battlefields.

"There will be some military actions," predicts Professor William Boettcher, a terrorism expert from North Carolina State University. But he points out that stopping terrorists involves much more than defeating enemies on the battlefield. It means better security at U.S. airports, schools, and sports stadiums, increased cooperation with other countries, and probably, less privacy for U.S. citizens. "In some ways, this war won't have an end," Boettcher told JS. "It will be an ongoing struggle."

How Terrorists Work

What makes terrorist organizations so difficult to fight is their secrecy. Members try to blend in wherever they live. Some of the terrorists behind last month's attacks, for example, rented homes in quiet-Florida neighborhoods and joined the local gym. They seemed to live fairly normal lives, even as they planned their deadly assaults.

In addition, most of these organizations are broken into small groups, called "cells." Each cell knows very little about other cells, even though they are part of the same organization. That way, if one group is exposed or caught, its members cannot endanger other terrorist cells.

Al Qaeda (al-KAY-dub), the terrorist group suspected in last month's attacks, is thought to have cells in more than 60 countries, including the U.S. Osama bin Laden is the figurehead of Al Qaeda. But it's a mistake to think of him as "president of the terrorists," says Boettcher. It's not as though bin Laden gives specific orders on who, what, where, when, or how to attack. Cells usually decide that for themselves. So even if U.S. forces capture or kill bin Laden and other terrorist leaders, Boettcher thinks, such efforts will have little impact on terrorist threats overall.

Attack From Every Angle

That's why President Bush believes the U.S. must attack terrorism from every angle. Because terrorists operate in so many different countries, international cooperation is crucial to blunting their activities. These countries can also share information to block attacks before they happen. President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell are building an anti-terrorist coalition (alliance) of countries to do just that. They have also asked Russia and Pakistan to allow U.S. aircraft and soldiers to use their countries as bases for possible attacks on terrorist camps in Afghanistan. (See pp. 12-15.)

Money is another way to put pressure on terrorist organizations. President Bush has asked international banks and businesses for assistance in this effort. He wants to freeze the bank accounts of suspected terrorists to keep them from using that money for destructive purposes.

Closer to home, Americans will witness much tougher security measures in the weeks and months to come, says Professor Stephen Gale, an expert on national security at the University of Pennsylvania. "Our children will grow up in a very different world than the one we've known," Gale told JS. He predicts increased security at schools, shopping malls, and other public places. Families, Gale adds, should be ready for long lines at the airport, as passengers' bags, kids' backpacks, and even stuffed animals are searched. He warns that Americans must become more vigilant (watchful) of their surroundings to spot trouble before it starts. "If people don't take security more seriously, they're going to make us all more vulnerable to terrorist attacks," he says.

Improving Safety

Because last month's hijackers were able to sneak knives and box cutters onboard the aircraft, airport security is receiving special attention. Most airports and airlines now hire private firms to handle security. But many members of Congress want the federal government to take over that job.

Some suggestions for improving air safety are simple, such as giving security workers more training and better pay. Others are high-tech, such as using futuristic security cones. An air traveler would stand inside this structure and be scanned from head to toe, as the machine searches for weapons or dangerous chemicals. It would also measure a person's facial features and compare them with those of suspected terrorists.

Safety measures are important. But experts say the most valuable weapon in the fight against terrorism is getting better information about terrorists and their plans. Attorney General John Ashcroft, who heads the U.S. Justice Department, has asked for more power to tap the telephones of suspected terrorists. He also wants more power to detain (hold) immigrants who might have information about terrorism. Such power may prove effective in spying on terrorist groups. But critics worry that the changes may harm the civil rights of U.S. citizens. (See pp. 10-11.)

Homeland Security 

Until now, 46 different U.S. agencies have handled the job of finding terrorists. Now, President Bush has created a special agency, the Homeland Security Council, to coordinate these efforts. The council, headed by former Governor Tom Ridge of Pennsylvania, will gather and analyze information from intelligence (information) agencies like the FBI and CIA. (See box, p. 8.) "[Ridge] will lead, oversee, and coordinate a comprehensive national strategy [plan] to safeguard our country against terrorism and respond to any attacks that may come," President Bush said when announcing the new position.

Terrorism and security experts say that Americans can expect more terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. But Boettcher wants to make it clear that the risk remains low "It's more likely you'll get hurt crossing the street than from a terrorist attack," he points out.

But after seeing the devastation of September 11, Americans are determined to reduce those risks. They are learning as quickly as possible how to handle this new threat. Because it won't just be U.S. soldiers, sailors, and pilots who now safeguard our freedom.

RELATED ARTICLE: Main U.S. Intelligence Agencies

If you've seen the movie Spy Kids, then you have some idea of what it means to work in intelligence. But secret codes and spy cameras are only a small part of these agencies' jobs.

Forty-six different government offices and services help protect the U.S. and Americans by gathering information. These agencies have foiled many planned terrorist attacks in recent years. But one reason analysts think the September 11 attacks succeeded was that the agencies sometimes have trouble working together. That's why President Bush created the Homeland Security Council--to coordinate their efforts.

Here are three major agencies that try to stop trouble before it starts.

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) The CIA is an independent agency directed by George J. Tenet. Its main responsibility is to gather information overseas about threats to the U.S. and Americans.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) The FBI, headed by Director Robert Mueller, is part of the U.S. Justice Department. Its agents investigate crimes and gather intelligence information within the U.S.

National Security Agency (NSA) The NSA is part of the Department of Defense, which oversees all branches of the U.S. military. Its head is Cohdaleezza Rice, a top Bush adviser. The NSA uses high-tech equipment for: spying around the world.

"This Is Our Country, Too"

Zaki Barzinji, 12, was studying Arabic at his family's mosque (Muslim place of worship) when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. "My first reaction was pure shock," Zaki told JS. Then after the shock, I felt fear for Muslims around the country." Zaki worried that enraged people might target Muslims.

Zaki's fears were soon realized. Vandals spray-painted part of his Sterling, Virginia, mosque with anti-Muslim slurs and did other damage.

Across the U.S., Muslim- and Arab-Americans have been the targets of vandalism, insults, and violent assaults. The suspected terrorists were from Arab countries with connections to extremist Islamic groups. So some Americans took out their anger on fellow citizens who happened to be Arab or Muslim. In one incident in Arizona, a turbaned gas station attendant was murdered though he was neither Muslim or Arab.

This reaction greatly saddened Zaki's mom, Afeefa Syeed. "After the attacks, I wanted to give blood, as a way to help the victims," she says. "But my friends told me they didn't think it was safe to go out." Zaki's family later joined prayer services with other Muslims, Christians, and Jews.

"At first I was angry at whoever vandalized the mosque," Zaki says. "Then came a sense of understanding about why they did it, that they didn't understand Islam. Islam means peace. Even the way we Muslims greet one another--Salaam Aleikum--means peace be upon you. What these terrorists did, Islam condemns. These were the actions of individuals. You can't blame an entire religion for what they did."

Government officials and celebrities are trying to deliver that same message to all Americans. In one announcement, pop star Mandy Moore says, "Discrimination and violence against Arab- and Muslim-Americans is not what this country is all about and will not be tolerated."

Zaki's mom, whose family moved to the U.S. when she was 5, tells of friends being told to "Go back to your country!"

"But this is our country, too," says Syeed. "We're American citizens. We eat American food and are part of this culture. We need to move beyond all this talk of diversity and truly learn about each other."

Zaki agrees and believes some good can come out of these terrible events. "I hope we will all try to learn more about other religions and other people," he says. "If you have a question and you know someone who's Muslim, ask them." If you are not sure how to phrase the question, ask your teacher for help suggests Zaki's mom. "I'd really encourage kids I know to ask me about Islam," Zaki says.