Frontline Season 21 Episode 2 Campaign Against Terror

During the 21st season of the groundbreaking investigative journalism series Frontline, viewers are privy to a revealing inside look at the United States' ongoing "Campaign Against Terror" in episode 2.

Through first-hand accounts and expert analysis, this episode sets out to answer the question: has the United States' post-9/11 approach to combating terrorism been effective, or has it only served to escalate the problem?

The episode takes a deep dive into the country's decade-long war in Afghanistan, which served as the U.S.'s primary frontline against the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Journalists examine how the U.S. military's focus on kinetic operations in the region rather than peaceful alternatives has perpetuated cycles of violence and instability, making Afghanistan - and indeed much of the rest of the Middle East - a breeding ground for extremist ideology.

Frontline also examines the Bush Administration's use of CIA-operated overseas detention facilities, known as "black sites," to hold and interrogate terrorism suspects without due process, a tactic widely condemned for its use of torture. The Obama Administration's decision to close these secret prisons is also explored as is the concept of indefinite detention and the constitutional questions it raises.

The episode delves into the complexities of the U.S.'s drone strike program, in which unmanned aircraft are used to launch precision attacks on suspected terrorists and militants. While supporters of the program argue it is an efficient way to limit civilian casualties, critics argue it is an abdication of American values and has done little to curb terrorist activities in the region.

Looking at the wider implications of the "Campaign Against Terror," Frontline also investigates the effects of U.S. domestic policy on civil liberties. The Patriot Act, passed in the aftermath of 9/11, granted federal officials broad new powers to detain, surveil, and prosecute suspected terrorists but may have also opened the door to widespread violations of privacy and civil liberties.

Throughout the episode, Frontline features interviews with top government officials, members of the military, lawyers, and terrorism experts to give viewers a nuanced insight into America's evolving relationship not only with terrorism and its perpetrators but also with its own values, both domestically and internationally. The episode represents another installment in the Frontline series' commitment to exceptional, immersive, in-depth coverage of some of the most complex and pressing issues of the day.

Overall, "Campaign Against Terror" is a necessary and fascinating exploration of one of the most significant events in recent history. It seeks to provide audiences with a balanced, nuanced, and respectful examination of the United States' response to terrorism and how those policies continue to impact not only those living in the Middle East but Americans as well.