When Will We Stop Counting? The Making of an Endless Crisis: A Study Into Terrorism as a Construct, the Politicization of Fear, and the Dynamics of Counterterrorism

Abstract

BACKGROUND U.S. counter-terrorism strategies have significantly shaped global politics and military interventions in the 21st century. While these strategies are often framed as essential to national security, their implementation and ethical ramifications are far from straightforward. The intention behind the use of military force is often framed as a necessity to protect national security and dismantle terrorist organizations. However, the effectiveness of these interventions in achieving long-term peace and stability remains highly questionable. The U.S.-led wars after 9/11, for instance, have spread across more than 78 countries, employing airstrikes, military operations, training programs, and counterterrorism support, all of which contribute to the continuation of repression, corruption, and cycles of violence. OBJECTIVE This thesis examines the evolution of U.S. counter-terrorism policies post-9/11, arguing that what began as a defensive strategy has transformed into a tool for advancing U.S. global influence, with limited success in military interventions. Framed as a fight against an existential and persistent threat, U.S. military interventions have increased and so have their consequences. The core argument will explore whether the fear of another mass-casualty terrorist attack is legitimate or largely a construct driven by propaganda and political agendas to help promote U.S geopolitical interests. METHODS This study will employ a qualitative case study methodology to analyze U.S. counter-terrorism strategies post-9/11, focusing on military interventions, political maneuvering, and their ethical implications. It will examine U.S. rhetoric, military actions, and geopolitical objectives, particularly in how terrorism is framed and the human cost of these strategies. The research will focus on four key case studies: U.S. involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Iraq War , the war in Afghanistan, and rising tensions with the Houthis. Data will be collected from primary sources such as government documents and speeches, alongside secondary sources including academic literature. Thematic analysis will explore military intervention justifications, the framing of civilian casualties, and the prioritization of geopolitical goals, while existing surveys will provide further insights into public perception and policy impact. RESULTS Over time, military interventions have been framed as essential for national security, though the threats they aim to address are often vague and manipulated. The narrative of a persistent and existential threat, bolstered by propaganda, has maintained public support for interventions, despite their questionable effectiveness and the resulting civilian casualties. By expanding the definition of national security to include foreign policy goals, the U.S. has used counter-terrorism as a means to pursue its broader political agenda, contributing to global instability and a cycle of violence, while failing to address the long-term human and political costs of military interventions. CONCLUSIONS This thesis concludes that the United States must abandon its reliance on military force as the primary mechanism for addressing terrorism. To address the shortcomings of U.S. counterterrorism strategies, I recommend: 1) prioritizing diplomacy over military intervention, 2) adopting a stricter evaluation of intervention consequences from both humanitarian and geopolitical perspectives, 3) launching a media awareness campaign, and 4) implementing more accurate threat assessment protocols.