Outlook: Terrorism and Election 2004

Rothkopf, David

Article

Outlook: Terrorism and Election 2004

The terrorist bombings in Istanbul over the past week make it all the more easy to imagine this scenario the United States. And since terrorists often want to send messages during elections, it is worth asking: how would Americans, and how should Americans, respond if terrorists strike during the presidential campaign.

By David Rothkopf

Published on Nov 21, 2003

Source: Carnegie

Imagine it is Election Day 2004. As you walk toward your local polling place, you can't help but notice how different this day is from past first Tuesdays in November. A Humvee bearing the markings of your local National Guard unit is stationed outside, as are half a dozen guardsmen carrying assault rifles. Would-be voters glance at parked cars and passersby with palpable unease and suspicion. A string of suicide bombings, which began on the day of the first presidential debate, has transformed the country, both on the streets and in the campaign. Terrorism is the only issue that seems to matter.

In an article in this Sunday's Outlook section, "Bombs and Ballots," David Rothkopf says that the terrorist bombings in Istanbul over the past week, which have taken 50 lives, make it all the more easy to imagine this scenario here. And since terrorists often want to send messages during elections, he says it's worth asking: how would Americans, and how should Americans, respond if terrorists strike during the presidential campaign.

David Rothkopf discussed the article in an online chat at washingtonpost.com on November 21, 2003. Read the discussion.

About the Author

David Rothkopf

Former Visiting Scholar

David Rothkopf was a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment as well as the former CEO and editor in chief of the FP Group.

Recent Work

In The Media
How Bush, Obama, and Trump Ended Pax Americana
- David Rothkopf
In The Media
A Bigger Clubhouse
- David Rothkopf

North America United States Security Foreign Policy

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary
Emissary
The Drone Attack on Egypt and the Widening Middle East War
The targeting of Damietta Port appears to be more than a mere security message.
Amr Hamzawy
Commentary
"I Don’t Think Trump Wants to Pull America Out of NATO"
Does Donald Trump want to redraw the map of the world? Historian and geopolitical thinker Stephen Wertheim tries to parse the logic behind current American foreign policy
Stephen Wertheim
Article
Generative AI and Atrocity Denial in War
In the fog of modern war, generative AI offers every side a simple transaction: Trade documented reality for permanent doubt.
Mahsa Alimardani, Afsaneh Rigot
Commentary
Strategic Europe
Letter from the Editor: Europe Takes Two Steps Forward But One Step Back
As we close out another season of Strategic Europe, it is worth taking stock of the deep shifts underway.
Rym Momtaz
Article
The Board of Peace Plan for Gaza
The Trump-led board has laid out blueprints for “voluntary emigration” and land confiscation.
Zaha Hassan

Outlook: Terrorism and Election 2004

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary

Emissary

The Drone Attack on Egypt and the Widening Middle East War

The targeting of Damietta Port appears to be more than a mere security message.

Amr Hamzawy

Commentary

"I Don’t Think Trump Wants to Pull America Out of NATO"

Does Donald Trump want to redraw the map of the world? Historian and geopolitical thinker Stephen Wertheim tries to parse the logic behind current American foreign policy