...What is Terrorism? – Defining Terrorism Defining terrorism is not an easy task. As the lesson explains, there are many individual definitions to the term terrorist or terrorism. Phillip Cryan (2001) determined in his research that the word terrorism has increased in popularity since the World Trade Center attacks. He also states that other foreign countries are depending on the United States to fight their battles by labelling their attackers as “terrorist”. This is something that I felt to be very interesting. Upon using the class reference and several articles and journals found online, I have found various complexities in defining the act and very word of “terrorism”. I initially researched the purpose of terrorism. In order to understand what terrorism is, you must also look at why it is done. The legal definition used in the “Defining Terrorism” article by Phillip Cryan says that goals of the act of terrorism is simply “seeking international consensus” (Cryan, 2001). This means that in order to be considered a terrorist or to commit a terrorist act, you have to have a global audience. The terrorist group has to have some kind of global appeal in order to commit an act in the first place. There has to be an issue at hand or a cause that a mass of people can be sympathetic to or enraged by. Either way it accomplishes the goal of attention for the act of terrorism. The Department of Defense’s definition is “the calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence...
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...the Sicarii and the Zealots. Sympathizers of the Romans slowly disappear and their voices vanish from Jerusalem. The fear of terrorism grows and Roman repression grows along with it, this in turn leads to the people of Jerusalem to revolt in 70 AD (Miller V). If this attack had been made in some dark alley with no spectators would the people react the way they did? The marketplace of old Jerusalem, can be compared to the media of today. What better place to get the public informed about your reasons and purpose for attacks than the news. Albert gave a good definition of terrorist's objectives when he stated: "Terrorists try to exercise influence over targeted officials on nations through intimidation of the public and arousal of sympathy for the social and political causes they espouse. Without widespread publicity, terrorist acts can achieve neither of these effects" (Bandura, Albert qtd. In Nacos 1). Terrorists need the news media to get the publicity, and the media is a willing accomplice. The news media is an accessory to terrorism, and as such they should develop a set of standards that will limit the terrorist ability to get their message out to a large audience during terrorist situations; Also the media should also point out police mistakes without over emphasizing them, giving equal coverage to both sides of the issue. Terrorism is the use of violence against...
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...Explain what is meant by 'counterterrorism'. What policy objectives are usually pursued within a counterterrorism grand strategy? Provide suitable examples to illustrate your answer. Counterterrorism involves the “detection and prevention of violent dissident activities by governments, police, security agencies, and military forces to more involved efforts to eliminate support within society for the dissident groups” (Lutz, J & Lutz, B. 2008). Thus, counterterrorism is a combination of multiple façades of government and law enforcement which interact to form a counterterror grand strategy. It is important to draw attention to the differences between a “strategy” and a “grand strategy”. A strategy requires a precisely specified political objective – strategy is a scheme for making the means produce the desired ends (Betts, 2000). A grand strategy on the other hand is far more complex. A grand strategy explains how a state’s full range of resources will be utilised to achieve security (identifying threats and how to minimise or eliminate them) - essentially a grand strategy is “complex, multifaceted, and directed toward a distant time horizon” (Crenshaw, 2004). This essay will explore and discuss the key issues considered while designing a counterterrorism grand strategy, and will provide relevant examples of these issues that have been applied in grand strategies. The major component of an effective counterterrorism grand strategy is the ability of law enforcement and the...
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...What is the Connection Between Religion and Terrorism? Recalling the last twenty years, what is observed is the resurfacing of the drive for terrorism all due to one’s religious belief. One can accept that there is a logical link between religion and terrorism. The link being complicated in nature, aims attention to the role religion plays in violence being legitimized. Religious terrorism is considered to be a type of political violence that is driven by the outright faith that a deity has authorized the act of terrorism for a much greater triumph in that faith. Gus Martin defines religious terrorism as a religion legalizing violence as long as such violence is the desire of an individual’s deity. In today’s society, religion has become the dominant cause of political violence. However, nationalism and ideology aren’t the only great stimulants for extremist behavior. For the first time, dominating the international community are religious extremists. There is acceleration in the repetitiveness, magnitude and the far-reaching spectrum of religious terrorist acts which is encouraged by globalization. One's religious belief can be used as the main reason behind terrorism, whether it may be a primary or a secondary motive. The fine points of the political and the cultural environment are the main factors which these motives can be relied upon, significant to a particular terrorist act. Religion can be seen as the main motive behind a terrorist behavior; on the other hand, it can...
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...Years of Terror (Setton, Mudd, & Carroll, 2000), the last three decades of terrorism is reviewed. However, the most important decade that is viewed in the movie (Setton et al., 2000) is the 1970’s. During the 1970’s, terrorist activities rose dramatically around the world almost crumbling capitalism. However, the most valuable part of the first freight decade, was the cooperation and shared funding between terrorist groups. During the first freight decade, terrorism struck throughout the eastern hemisphere. Specifically, Italy, Germany, and Ireland were prime geographical areas for terrorist activities. For example, on the morning of March 16, 1978, the former Prime Minister of Italy,...
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...In what ways, if any, has globalization transformed the phenomenon of terrorism? Introduction The idea of terrorism has not always been as it is today. The word “terror” originated after the French Revolution and the word “terrorism” was subsequently recorded by the Académie Française in 1798 (Roberts 2002). The regime of “la Terreur” was one of force and bloody repression against opponents to the newly born French Republic, but since the 19th century, terrorism has come to designate a method of opposition used by small groups (Tilly 2004, 8-9) “against the legitimacy of the prevailing sovereign power” (Scruton 2002, 126). As Barkawi (2006, 129) aptly puts across “‘terror’ is often used as a weapon by those who lack sufficient weapons to fight a military war, who believe their voices are not being heard and their desires bear no fruit”. Contrary to the French “terror”, “terrorism” is then no longer a practice of the State; it is that of radical groups opposing the State, and it is mainly the State that gives them this name (Townshend 2002, 3); the names these groups give themselves are in relation to a cause they see as legitimate. Such causes have arisen in numerous places, prompting some to take extreme but in their minds justified action, and Europe has faced terrorist threats long before the 9/11 attacks, incarnated by the Irish Republican Army (IRA), the Basque Fatherland and Liberty group (ETA) in Spain or the Red Brigades in Italy, to name only a few (Barkawi...
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...How has terrorism affected your view of the world? What actions could be taken to combat terrorism? I feel that terrorism has only agitated the public and has had little emotional effect of me. It has however affected people around me, therefore indirectly affecting me. As for combating terrorism, I apparently mean what actions other than the ones currently in effect. There are two actions that may be taken, though both have grim consequences. One could be to have the government to terrorize the countries that harbor terrorists, i.e. bomb churches, airports, etc.( replicate the actions taken against nations by the country in question as to make terrorism and or harboring terrorists a "bad" thing by all nations, putting the terrorists in the open). Apparently the terrorists would be effected by such things seeing as most terrorists still maintain an emotional capacity. They would hopefully feel guilt, or just be in fear such things would happen to their loved ones. This would hopefully persuade them to stop. The second is to do what we are doing. Both cost lives, but one costs fewer. Additional DetailsWhen I say the government, I mean the government highering civilized crime agencies ( a mafia of sorts) to carry out these crimes. Apparently, what we are doing now is less effective, and in the long run will cost more lives. For those that take offense to this, think about it before you make a pejorative remark. Evaluate the scenarios and there positive/negative consequences...
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...Compare and contrast the pre and post 9/11 law enforcement response to terrorism. What strategies could be implemented to increase future law enforcement capability in countering terrorism? Andrew McAdam Student Number: Word Count: “Things will never be the same.” (Miller, Stone & Mitchell, 2002, p. 3) Law enforcement has undergone dramatic changes as a result of the devastating events in the United States on 11 September 2001 (9/11). This essay will examine how law enforcement, specifically within Australia, has shifted its policies and strategies to fight the post-9/11 terrorist threat. An analysis of police actions towards terrorist related incidents since 9/11, displays how law enforcement agencies have demonstrated their ability to respond to the various threats of terrorism as they arise. “Since 2001, numerous terrorist attacks have been thwarted in Australia. Thirty-eight people have been prosecuted as a result of counter-terrorism operations and 20 people have been convicted of terrorism offences under the Criminal Code.” (Counter-Terrorism White Paper, 2010, p. ii) Australia’s State and Federal policing agencies have ‘a long tradition of reactive patrol’ (White, 2012, p. 487) However, uniformed policing plays an important role in counter-terrorism operations. Due to their knowledge and close working relationships within the local community, police are in the best position to detect and prevent terrorist actions from occurring. “So far, terrorist attempts in...
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...New Terrorism? Predicting the Future of Terrorism Introduction/ Purpose Terrorism is an often controversial subject. “One man’s freedom fighter is another man’s terrorist.” This is a well known quote that is often used to allude to the complexity of terrorism. Terrorism, the word itself is a word that has possessed over a hundred definitions and a concept that has changed as the societies of the world have progressed. The use of the terms terrorism and terrorist are politically weighted, and are often used for a polarizing effect, where 'terrorism' becomes simply a relativist term for the violence committed by an enemy, from the point of view of the attacked. Because of the political nature of some struggles, 'terrorism' can become identified as simply any violence committed against established institutions. A terrorist is, strictly speaking, one who is personally involved in an act of terrorism. The term "terrorism" comes from the French 18th century word terrorisme (under their government's Reign of Terror), based on the Latin language verbs terrere (to tremble) and deterrere (to frighten from). The use of the term "terrorist" has had broader applications however, ranging in application from disgruntled citizens to common political dissidents. It is important to understand terrorism in our modern arena and under stand its effects on society. ‘Terrorism’, as a unified political and ideological motif did not arise spontaneously in response to particular instances...
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...There is no universal definition of terrorism but in what case does it really matters? Do we need a universal definition of terrorism? During the last two century, many definition of terrorism have been elaborated. As today there are several different kinds of terrorism and also different point of view on terrorism nobody can clearly understand what is terrorism. The description of terrorism varies between cultures. Moreover one of the current problems with the word terrorism is that it is easier to define this term by what it is not than define it by what it is. A Universal definition is needed, In order to clearly understand this notion. However, even scholars or governments are not agreeing on the fact that we need a universal definition of terrorism. According to Lutz, “what will be useful is to provide a working definition, as neutral as possible. What is also necessary is to read and evaluate with cares how others use the word. A clear and workable definition of terrorism should cover both groups that individuals agree with and group that they disagree with” . Sebastian Wojciechowski offers several...
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...A Historical View on Terrorism and Terrorist Ideologies A Historical View on Terrorism and Terrorist Ideologies Terrorism is a unique and frightening form of violence. Terrorism does not care if it is a time of peace, conflict, or war. One can never escape the threat of terrorism and it will most assuredly happen when one least expects it. A terrorist act is committed to bring down a great deal more than just a few buildings. Terrorists have what they believe with all their hearts to be a purpose behind their actions. Quite often there is such a deep rooted hatred imbedded into their souls that they feel they must act against the evils that haunt their lives (U.S. Army, 2000). The Department of Defense defines of terrorism as "the calculated use of violence or the threat of violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological" (U.S. Army, 2000). To put it into more simplistic and understandable terms, terrorism is committed for generally three main reasons: 1. Terrorist are against multi-party governments such as in the United States. 2. Terrorists are against specific religious groups. 3. Terrorists are against a person of a specific race. Terrorists come in every shape and size and terrorism is a tactic that may be used by any philosophy or by people with no philosophy at all, only objection. To assume there is a terrorist handbook that...
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...Terrorism – is there any working global frameworks to counter it? By Zuzanna Sadowska On the 22nd of September 2003 Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General, organized a conference “Fighting Terrorism for Humanity” in New York City. He opened the summit with words: “Terrorism will only be defeated if we act to solve the political disputes or long-standing conflicts that generate support for it. (…) If we do not, we should find ourselves acting as recruiting sergeants for the very terrorists. We have to win hearts and minds.” The causes of terrorism may be inter alia historical, economical, religious or ideological, and there is no way to entirely eliminate it from our world. Preventing terrorism needs complete understanding of the phenomenon and cooperation between states. There are different actions taken by various organisations and people but not all of them succeed. What exactly is terrorism, how do terrorist organisations work and how to counter terrorist activities? Terrorism by itself has numerous definitions as it is hard to define it precisely. It is said that this phenomenon has over 100 definitions and lack of one, widely recognized, hinders fighting with this danger. When we discuss about terrorism in colloquial conversation, we instinctually know what it is about and what the meaning of this word is. It is otherwise in case of professional and legal discussions where you have to agree on a definition of the term. The concept of terrorism derives from the Greek treo – “to...
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...Terrorism is a Political Term 'States like these, and their terrorist allies, constitute an axis of evil...' President G. W. Bush, 29th January 2002 State of the Union Address Abstract: As can be seen from the above quote, ‘terrorism’ is a political, derogatory term with no real, inherently meaningful definition and, with the war being waged against it in its tenth year, one that has divided the world. One reason for the division stems not from the nature of its ambiguity or any fundamental change in its manifestation, but in the West’s difficulty in conceptualizing the motivations behind its many faces. ‘Terrorism’ does not define the motives behind an act of terror. It characterizes them, and this is what has led to its increasing use as a political term, particularly since 9/11. The reasons go beyond mere semantics however and, in the context of the Global War on Terror, have fueled not just the conflict but the surge in recruitment and sympathy that has taken place for terrorist causes across the world. It needs to be recognized that the use of terrorism as a political term has actually had more of a negative impact on the world than any terrorist attack to date. Introduction: Since the coinage of the term ‘terrorism’, its characteristics have always been synonymous with organized violence and a political end-goal. Until recently, however, its employment had been more of a vernacular convenience than a political expression. Over the last...
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...The term terrorism invokes a wide range of concepts in that it also entails numerous definitions that are randomly applied given the type of terrorist attack, the intended target, and the overall goals of the terrorist group. This generalization also allows for the term terrorism to be associated with a number of political and civil rights movements that are inconsistent with the social norms or political goals of the government bodies. Such associations can frequently cause confusion between progression and terrorism. This is especially true in cases of domestic terrorism as these occurrences continue to rise and the media spins various connections between the actions and the message that the attacker is attempting to send or promote. This...
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...• The historical roots and chronology of terrorism. As discussed in the previous studies by Combs, apply the definitions and chronology of terrorism to the following assignment. Please respond to all of the following prompts: • What is terrorism; what has it been, and what will it be like in the twenty first century? Terrorism is a synthesis of war and theater, a dramatization of the most prescribed kind of violence, that which is deliberately perpetrated on civilian noncombatant victims, played before an audience in the hope of creating a mood of fear, for political purposes. Terrorism involves an act of violence, an audience in which a mood of fear is created, targeted civilian noncombatant victims, and political motives or goals. U.S. Department of Defense defines terrorism as the unlawful use, or threatened use, of force or violence against individuals or property to coerce and intimidate governments societies, often to achieve political, religious, or ideological objectives. U.S. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (F.B.I.), defines terrorism as the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives Terrorism is not a strictly modern phenomenon committed by a few individuals or groups. Terror...
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