merica were largely based on a cold - war scenario, where the threat to the country was seen as being largely external. (Mowbray J. ) However, the events of September 11, 2001 were to change this view of the nature of the terrorist threat. Simply stated, this meant that the terror act of 9/11 in fact showed conclusively that attacks planned and executed from within the country could have devastating effects. This has led many terrorism experts to state that the greatest challenge facing terrorist counter - insurgency is from within the United States and especially from terrorist groups or individuals who are American citizens, and who are the least likely to be suspected. Due to their cultural and religious connections this has tended to turn the security spotlight on Arab Americans and all Muslim Americans.
             The demographics of Arab Americans show that they are an integral part of American culture and should not be seen as a separate and isolated entity. They also have diverse origins and affiliations. As John Zogby, the director of the Arab-American Institute reminded the country shortly after there events of 2001;
             More than three-quarters of Arab Americans are born here. More than three-quarters of Arab Americans are Christian. Almost 60 percent of Arab Americans are of Lebanese descent. The numbers that we actually get are more like in the high 50s are Lebanese and then about 14 percent Syrian...The next largest groups are Egyptian and Palestinian. There is a large Iraqi and Yemeni community. And, increasingly, North African communities are coming to the country."
             The counter - terrorism measures that were subsequently taken after the events of 9/11 have tended to impact dramatically on the lives of Arab Americans. There have been numerous assertions and reports that this particular minority group is being unfairly targeted by surveillance and other measures which are intrusive and an invasion of privacy and wh...