| Cases and Resources
Chapter
17: Law and Terrorism
The Law in
Times of War
Surveillance and Searches
Detention and Interrogation
The
Law in Times of War
September
11, 2001, News
The day that horrified the United States and the rest of the
world is also a significant news event that will be remembered
throughout our lives. This site has catalogued the events
and news of that day, the national and international aftermath,
and world issues associated with the attacks.
CIA:
War on Terrorism
Explore the Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) Web
site on the Bush administration’s war on terrorism.
War
Against Terrorism Document Center
The University of Michigan has an index of extensive information
on the war on terrorism, information on numerous countries
and international factions that influence the war, opinion
articles, background information, and resources for further
research.
USA
Patriot Act of 2001
In response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks,
Congress passed the USA Patriot Act of 2001. Read
the text of this act. Now read a summary
of the act to help you understand what it means.
Department
of Justice on the USA Patriot Act
Read a discussion of the advantages of the USA Patriot
Act. How has this act helped the Department of Justice
prevent terrorism?
Discussion
of the USA Patriot Act
There is concern by some that the USA Patriot Act
may interfere with personal liberties and freedoms guaranteed
by the Bill of Rights to citizens of the United States. Read
this article discussing the potential loss of freedom and
presenting opinions by both sides.
Slate.com:
Guide to the Patriot Act
Explore this online guide published by Slate.com, a daily web magazine.
Department
of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security, created by President
Bush in response to the September 11 attacks, is meant to
enhance security within the United States. Visit this site
to take a closer look at some ways the department is coordinating
efforts to make the country safer.
FindLaw
Terrorism Forum
Browse an index of articles on terrorism and the law. The
articles cover what laws should be passed, how terrorists
should be prosecuted, definitions of terms, and a discussion
of related issues.
Jurist:
Hot Topics
From this site, scroll down to “International”
topics and click on Patriot Act or Terrorism.
You will automatically be linked to a series of up-to-date
articles that explore the current issues of security, terrorism,
and the law.
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Surveillance
and Searches
Sneak
and Peek Searches
The ACLU explains the “sneak and peek” search
tactic in an article opposing such a practice. What are the
arguments against this law enforcement practice?
Searches
Should Be Allowed
Read an article from The Atlantic arguing that people
concerned with losing freedoms and rights are misguided and
hindering the war on terrorism.
Foreign
Intelligence Surveillance Act
Read an explanation of the act and Foreign Intelligence Surveillance
Court of Review.
Foreign
Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review and the Fourth Amendment
Read a FindLaw article arguing that the Foreign Intelligence
Surveillance Court of Review’s opinion increases the
government’s potential to bypass people’s Fourth
Amendment rights.
Inside
America’s Secret Court
Read an in-depth description of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance
Court of Review. This article contains background information
on the court, why the court was created, and uses of the court
today.
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Detention
and Interrogation
Prisoners
at Guantánamo Bay
A journalist traveled to the site where many suspected terrorists
are being held by the United States in Cuba. Read this description
of the way the prisoners are treated and the legal criticism
about the due process offered to these prisoners. How is a
military court different from a court for civilians?
The
Case for Military Tribunals
This opinion article discusses why military courts are the
best legal method of investigating and prosecuting potential
terrorists.
Searching
for a Balance
Learn more about the debate centered over the strengthening
of security measures to make it easier to investigate possible
threats versus the desire to protect personal privacy and
liberties.
What
Is an “Unlawful Combatant”?
This FindLaw article describes the concept of unlawful combatants
in relation to al-Qaeda prisoners at Guantánamo Bay.
Here, the author states that al-Qaeda prisoners are not unlawful
combatants.
Unlawful
Combatants, Not Prisoners of War
On the other side of the debate, the National Review argues
that al-Qaida prisoners in Guantánamo Bay are unlawful
combatants. With which side do you agree?
The
Geneva Convention: Prisoners of War
The Geneva Convention, at the close of the fighting with Germany
during World War II, set forth international law on the treatment
of prisoners of war during war time. The debate concerning
detained prisoners during the war on terrorism centers on
whether this document applies to such prisoners.
UN
Convention Against Torture
Read a summary and the text of the document signed at the
Convention Against Torture.
International
Courts
There is a push by many in the international community to
try international terrorists in international courts. It is
believed that this practice will strengthen a coordinated
effort among foreign countries to fight terror.
Osama
bin Laden on Trial
Court TV discusses the aspects of a trial against Osama bin
Laden, if he is ever caught. Consider the analysis of the
case for the prosecution and the defense, as well as a discussion
about where he might be tried.
Military
Tribunals
This opinion article from FindLaw argues that military tribunal
courts are the best venue for trying terrorist criminals.
American
Taliban
Read an in-depth report and discussion on John Walker Lindh,
the American citizen found in Afghanistan fighting for the
Taliban.
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