...the events of 9/11, Putin called terrorism "plague of the 21st century"1 - a disease that strikes innocent victims unexpectedly and in a undifferentiated way. The act of terrorism seemed irrational and unforeseen in the eyes of modern democracies due to the failure of the collective memory of the international community. The states of the Western world were reinforced in what might be called a regulated 'Westphalian order' - a type of conventional relations between balanced and identifiable powers in which sovereignty is essential. But this outlook on the international system seems now and even then somehow biased: indeed, nation-states have already been challenged by non-state actors for a long time. As Alan G. Stolberg...
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...TERRORISM AND GLOBALIZATION “Terrorism has rarely been absent from history, and over centuries has appeared in many guises”1. Referring to Walter Laqueur, no state or international system has been exempted from this form of non-state violence. However, the major shifts carried by globalization, that is to say the transformation from a state-centric world to a global system, seem to have perturbed the way violent non-state actors act, claim, interfere, and wage war in the new international system. If we follow the vision of Carpenter, we can talk about a “new world disorder”2 because of the multiplicity of new actors supported by international markets and transnational links. But, should we use the adjective “new” to describe nowadays’ terrorist organizations and attacks? Since 9/11 attacks, world seem to have toggled in major insecurity and fear of those modern organization that can act wherever and whenever they want at any place in the world. Undeniably, terrorists’ forms of violence have evolved by taking advantage of criminal organizations’ and illegal trades’ favourable trends. But this method, more than a political doctrine, represents a non-state use of violence or threat of violence to spread fear and bring political reform or revolution. Therefore, it should be reconsidered with the former violent actors and the disintegration of states. Moreover, the subject comprehension have to be reinforced in order - for great power or American superpower - to prevent those...
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...outside of state control.” Political violence is one of the prevalent forms of violence throughout the world today. In many cases, it is used to exhibit some type of political stance or supposed to oppose another political stance. There are different types of political violence and each type has its own purpose and outcome. There are many explanations that are given as to why political violence has been used over the years. One explanation is because of the institutions or organizations and the impact that they have on the country and/or region that the political violence occurs. There are many different types of institutions including political, economic, and social institutions. These institutions can also have a lot of impact on how political violence unfolds. The institutions can either create or abolish...
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...women’s involvement in terrorism is more likely to be driven by emotional factors; women’s roles are more likely to be insignificant inside terrorist organizations and women are more likely to be successful. The thesis seeks to provide a comprehensive framework of terrorism and women’s involvement in terrorism. While terrorism is intrinsically grounded in historical context of societies, the phenomenon is not monolithic and it has emerged has a new modus operandi for numerous and diverse actors. The ambivalence about women and political violence have undermined their credibility and capacity as terrorists’ supporters and perpetrators....
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...Hiroshima: The Bombing that Blasted Away the Truth For the United States, World War II was a very costly war that seemed as if it would not end. For the United States to end their assault on Japan during World War II, a nuclear bomb was dropped in Japan to force them to surrender. On August 6th, 1945, the U.S. military dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima killing over 150,000 people and (along with the later bombing of Nagasaki) effectively caused the Japanese to surrender. This tactic is highly polarized in the international community; on one side, it is considered to be justified and the only action for the United States to take, and on the other side, it is considered to be a barbaric act of terrorism perpetrated by the U.S. military. In the essay, Hiroshima by John Berger, the author correctly argues that the bombings were terroristic acts that are fundamentally evil; however, he is incorrect that they are unjustifiable. To diagnose whether the bombings were acts of terrorism, one must be able to understand the definition and criteria of one such act. A commonly accepted definition of terrorism is an act that includes the premeditated use of violence by an organized group against non-combatants to achieve political ends. Berger’s argument includes all the criteria in that definition so the bombing must be terrorist acts. Berger begins his argument by describing all the violence caused by the bombs. Throughout the essay, he quotes passages from Unforgettable...
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...2-13-13 The multitude of differentiating definitions of terrorism through out the world’s governments, agencies, and international community has led to a confusing and bleak understanding of the true nature of terrorism. Now I do not believe that my definition of terrorism will be any better in helping understand this matter but it does help define my personal view of terrorism, terrorists, and their tactics. My definition of terrorism is any deliberate, planed use of force or violence, or the threat of such actions, against innocent people, with the aim of inducing fear or intimidating some other group of people into a specific course of action for political, religious, philosophical, or ideological aims. In my paper I want to examine the implications of my definition with regard to my assertion that terrorism is only carried out against innocent people. In my definition I define terrorism as actions or threats of actions against innocent people. To me this is a very important idea. I feel that terrorism works because it induces fear in the general public and people become afraid because they are faced with the fact that even though they have done nothing wrong they could be attacked. I feel that violence is never legitimate when used on innocent people and thus a terrorist is never legitimate because they are attacking innocent people and that can never be seen as a justified act. The idea that the victim of terrorism has to be innocent has many implications. I think the...
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...Stephen Asher Although many groups, both state and non-state actors, have used terrorism as a tactic for hundreds of years, scholars differ in their opinions about the nature and consequences of terrorist attacks in recent years. Among other questions they ask: Did the terrorist attacks of 9/11 change the international system? Have non-state actors increased in relevance since the attacks. The terrorist attacks of 9/11 were an eye opening experience for many Americans. The amount of television coverage and visual trauma shown to the nation increased the brutality of the events. Religious and militant groups have used terrorism as a tactic for hundreds of years. The events on 9/11 were not an isolated event and instead a continuation of a long series of attempted attacks. The difference is that on this day the terrorist group achieved some amount of success relative to their ultimate goals. The attacks of 9/11 caused nearly 3000 people to lose their life. These deaths were directly caused by the attacks and an unknown amount of deaths have occurred indirectly as a result of the attacks. The attacks represented the deadliest terrorist attacks on record since 1970. The attacks were the first of its king, a successful hijacking of an airplane to destroy a building. One of the most horrific elements of terrorism is the use of children as combatants for the use of terrorist attacks. Estimates indicate that up to several hundred thousand children as young as 7 years old are...
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...Explain why the term ‘terrorism’ is controversial and contested. (15) Terrorism refers to political violence that targets civilians deliberately and indiscriminately to inspire dear, for purposes such as drawing attention to a grievance, provoking a severe response or wearing down of their opponents moral resolve. Examples of such high priority methods of terrorism include plane hijacking (e.g. 9/11) and hostage taking. With the use of the media, there is now greater global awareness of extremist, terrorist groups; it is the high priority means of creating terror that cause a group to receive attention. Non-state actors, furthermore, generally carry out terrorism. The term itself carries a heavy weight by the way it can be used; to accuse a group as being terrorists immediately delegitimize their motives, thereby upholding the existing system of power at a national or global level. ‘Terrorism’ is a controversial term simply by how one determines whether one is a terrorist or not. Terrorism is used politically in order to highlight a group’s actions as being immoral and illegitimate. The controversy lies within how we differentiate between one man’s freedom fighter and another’s terrorism. Similarly the term ‘terrorism’ has become to commonly used which creates uncertainty of what really is terrorism, for example the Boston marathon bombings. Many argued that the marathon bombings were an act of terrorism, whereas Obama refused to describe it as an act of terror. Thus one...
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...Lauren Speranza The Imminent Threat While nuclear terrorism has been a significant concern of government officials over the last decade, the threat is continually burgeoning, more alarmingly now than ever before. Amidst tumultuous global conditions—with the situations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, and Syria, among others—the US has begun losing some of its prestige, stamina, and amicable relations with other international actors. Though the US is still arguably the most powerful nation in the world, its recent actions and reputation have made it more vulnerable to an outside attack. Several policy makers and scholars, including Graham Allison, Charles Ferguson, and William Potter, have asserted the imminent threat of nuclear terrorism, highlighting the availability of nuclear weapons and materials to non-state actors (2004; 2004). These scholars also point out the feasibility of orchestrating an attack, due to the US government’s failure to pursue effective prevention strategies. Since the conditions seem to be so favorable, some have questioned why no such incident has occurred yet. However, considering the risks, the results of a nuclear attack would not most efficiently accomplish the goals of many terrorist organizations, which often strive for a large number of witnesses as opposed to deaths (Hoffman, 2006; Jenkins, 2006). Additionally, many terrorists fear that conducting a nuclear attack on the US would create backlash and warrant a nuclear response that...
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...Given the growing global threats of terrorism, it is significant that an understanding of the history, nature and mechanism-premises under which terror operates is obtained. This is significant as it would shape the perspective of policy makers when addressing issues of this nature. Terrorism, as it is understood is the action of none-state weak actors, individual or groups, who for some reasons feels suppressed, marginalized and, or denied what they may view as the basic human right. All terrorism has political objectives, even though the perpetrators may use religious relics to appeal to a wider existing audience, and invoke a response through violent act to prove or propagate their point. Yoram Schweitzer in "Suicide Terrorism Development & Characteristics," Mark Sedgwick in "Al-Qaeda and the "Nature of Religious Terrorism," and Dr. James Armstrong, all demonstrates that suicide terror attacks are politically motivated even though the perpetrator may use religious symbolism to justifies their acts. Observing areas in the world where terrorism is frequent, especially in the Middle East, it can be argued that groups that engaged in terrorists' activities are those that feel suppressed and taken advantage of by a much greater power. Thus, terrorism, particularly suicide terror is prevalent in areas where systems of gross injustice seem to exist. Therefore, the actual use of terrorism by non-state actors is a tactic aimed at polarizing the population in their favor. By killing...
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...Terrorism and Counter-terrorism: Similarities and differences in security and risk. Joshua Williams POL192 Perspectives on Security and Terrorism Murdoch University Semester 1, 2014 Utilizing the concepts of risk and security, critically explain the similarities and differences between terrorist strategies and tactics on one hand, and counter-terrorism measures, on the other, since 2001. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in the United States marked a turning point in the understanding of terrorism within the international society (Beck 2002, 39). Although the motives behind terrorism and counter-terrorism are opposite, their effects in terms of security and risk are similar. The similarities and differences between these two activities will be discussed in terms of risk and security within the international society. Central to the issues of security and risk, is the concept of an international society. An international society ‘exists when a group of states, conscious of certain common interests and common values, form a society in the sense that they conceive themselves to be bound by a common set of rules in their relations with one anther, and share in the working of common institutions’ (Bull and Watson 1984, 1). These rules, norms and institutions which make up international society is the central focus...
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...Essay Questions 1. How do the different actors in international system affect international relations? How do the different theories explain the role of these actors in the international system. The actors consist of state actors and non-state actors. Non-state actors and terrorism work outside the westphalian system and take power away from state sovereignty. They consist of terrorist groups, IGO’s like the European Union, NGO’s like multinational corporations. NGO’s increase interdependence and globalization. IGO’s bring about peace and spread democracy and war is not realistic. NGO’s even have the ability to remove state governments through public support and pressure placed on high ranking officials as shown in -----. They also have the power to hinder development of countries as shown in the Global South, but at the same time they provide many jobs for the economy. For state actors, the actions and decisions of states can effect profoundly the international because of polarity, hegemony, and economy. The Liberalist view would see non-state actors as a positive because they are bringing countries allowing them to work together through institutions increasing interdependence and globalization. Realists would say that these non-state actors are only out for self interest in profit and will use up resources taking advantage of wages whenever possible. Constructivist view would see terrorist groups specifically as falling under Samuel Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations...
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...Given the growing global threats of terrorism, it is significant that an understanding of the history, nature and mechanism-premises under which terror operates is obtained. This is significant as it would shape the perspective of policy makers when addressing issues of this nature. Terrorism, as it is understood is the action of none-state weak actors, individual or groups, who for some reasons feels suppressed, marginalized and, or denied what they may view as the basic human right. All terrorism has political objectives, even though the perpetrators may use religious relics to appeal to a wider existing audience, and invoke a response through violent act to prove or propagate their point. Yoram Schweitzer in "Suicide Terrorism Development &ump; Characteristics," Mark Sedgwick in "Al-Qaeda and the "Nature of Religious Terrorism," and Dr. James Armstrong, all demonstrates that suicide terror attacks are politically motivated even though the perpetrator may use religious symbolism to justifies their acts. Observing areas in the world where terrorism is frequent, especially in the Middle East, it can be argued that groups that engaged in terrorists' activities are those that feel suppressed and taken advantage of by a much greater power. Thus, terrorism, particularly suicide terror is prevalent in areas where systems of gross injustice seem to exist. Therefore, the actual use of terrorism by non-state actors is a tactic aimed at polarizing the population in their favor...
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...Given the growing global threats of terrorism, it is significant that an understanding of the history, nature and mechanism-premises under which terror operates is obtained. This is significant as it would shape the perspective of policy makers when addressing issues of this nature. Terrorism, as it is understood is the action of none-state weak actors, individual or groups, who for some reasons feels suppressed, marginalized and, or denied what they may view as the basic human right. All terrorism has political objectives, even though the perpetrators may use religious relics to appeal to a wider existing audience, and invoke a response through violent act to prove or propagate their point. Yoram Schweitzer in "Suicide Terrorism Development & Characteristics," Mark Sedgwick in "Al-Qaeda and the "Nature of Religious Terrorism," and Dr. James Armstrong, all demonstrates that suicide terror attacks are politically motivated even though the perpetrator may use religious symbolism to justifies their acts. Observing areas in the world where terrorism is frequent, especially in the Middle East, it can be argued that groups that engaged in terrorists' activities are those that feel suppressed and taken advantage of by a much greater power. Thus, terrorism, particularly suicide terror is prevalent in areas where systems of gross injustice seem to exist. Therefore, the actual use of terrorism by non-state actors is a tactic aimed at polarizing the population in their favor. By killing...
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...Cyber Terrorism: The American Response Mutale Chisanga School of Computer Science 03-60-305 Professor Kristina Verner March 6, 2016 Cyber terrorism: The American Response United States (U.S.) critical infrastructure faces a growing cyber terrorism threats due to advancements in the availability and sophistication of malicious software tools and the fact that new technologies raise new security issues that cannot always be addressed prior to adoption. The increasing automation of U.S. critical infrastructures provides more cyber access points for adversaries to exploit. Industrial control systems, which operate the physical processes of the U.S. pipelines, railroads, and other critical infrastructures, are at elevated risk of cyber exploitation. The growth of malicious techniques that could degrade, disrupt, or destroy critical infrastructure is a huge concern for the U.S. government. It is also likely the cyber threats will surpass the terrorism threat to U.S. in the years to come (MLI, 2012). Even though only advanced threat actors are currently capable of employing these high level malicious techniques, these capabilities will eventually be within reach of all threat actors. Discussion The potential economic consequences of cyber terrorism attacks are severe. The severity of cyber terrorism are not felt equally across the board. A small company may not be able to survive even one significant cyber-attack. On the other hand, large companies may take a long time...
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