Terrorism Understanding the Threat Course Text: Martin, Gus (2006). Understanding Terrorism . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Chapter #1 Terrorism: First Impressions Al Qaeda has symbolized terrorism in this century, but there are many more groups.

Terrorism: First Impressions

Al Qaeda has symbolized terrorism in this century, but there are many more groups.

Historical Terrorism Biblical times (Antiquity) Joshua 11:1, 4-8 Roman Age Regicide, including Caesar in 44 B.C. Ancient-Medieval Middle East Sicarii vs Romans and Jews French Revolution Reign of terror Revolutionary Tribunal

Biblical times (Antiquity)

Joshua 11:1, 4-8

Roman Age

Regicide, including Caesar in 44 B.C.

Ancient-Medieval Middle East

Sicarii vs Romans and Jews

French Revolution

Reign of terror

Revolutionary Tribunal

Definitions Extremism A quality that is radical in opinion, especially in political matters Characterized by intolerance toward opposing interests and divergent opinions Presents noble arguments to rationalize and justify acts of violence Terrorism Politically motivated violence Directed against soft targets With no intention to affect a target audience

Extremism

A quality that is radical in opinion, especially in political matters

Characterized by intolerance toward opposing interests and divergent opinions

Presents noble arguments to rationalize and justify acts of violence

Terrorism

Politically motivated violence

Directed against soft targets

With no intention to affect a target audience

Ideologies Systems of belief Derived from sociological and political theories

Systems of belief

Derived from sociological and political theories

Ideological Analysis Fringe Left Far Left Liberalism Moderate Center Conservatism Far Right Fringe Right

Fringe Left

Far Left

Liberalism

Moderate Center

Conservatism

Far Right

Fringe Right

Morality of Terrorist Violence Mala prohibita Crimes made illegal by legislation E.g. gambling & prostitution Mala in se Crimes immoral/wrong in themselves E.g. premeditated murder & forcible rape

Mala prohibita

Crimes made illegal by legislation

E.g. gambling & prostitution

Mala in se

Crimes immoral/wrong in themselves

E.g. premeditated murder & forcible rape

Quote 1 One person’s terrorist is another person’s freedom fighter Unknown

One person’s terrorist is another person’s freedom fighter

Unknown

Quote 2 One man willing to throw away his life is enough to terrorize a thousand Wu Ch’I (400 BC)

One man willing to throw away his life is enough to terrorize a thousand

Wu Ch’I (400 BC)

Quote 3 Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice Senator Barry Goldwater, 1964

Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice

Senator Barry Goldwater, 1964

Quote 4 It became necessary to destroy the town to save it Author unknown. An unnamed major in the U.S. Army said this about the decision to bomb and shell the town of Bentre, according to an Associated Press dispatch.— The New York Times, February 8, 1968, p. 14. Arnett refused to identify the source of the quote, but later revealingly referred to his source as "the perpetrator."

It became necessary to destroy the town to save it

Author unknown. An unnamed major in the U.S. Army said this about the decision to bomb and shell the town of Bentre, according to an Associated Press dispatch.— The New York Times, February 8, 1968, p. 14.

Arnett refused to identify the source of the quote, but later revealingly referred to his source as "the perpetrator."

The New Terrorists

1993 World Trade Center Attack: Islamic terrorists detonated a truck bomb under the towers killing six and damaging the building.

1993 World Trade Center Attack: Islamic terrorists detonated a truck bomb under the towers killing six and damaging the building.

Sarin gas attack on March 20, 1995 in the Tokyo subway: Aum Shinri Kyo (Supreme Truth) cult deposited two containers containing Sarin poison gas in the Tokyo subway system. 12 killed and up to 5000 hospitalized Could have been much worse…air circulation evacuated most of the gas Tokyo

Sarin gas attack on March 20, 1995 in the Tokyo subway: Aum Shinri Kyo (Supreme Truth) cult deposited two containers containing Sarin poison gas in the Tokyo subway system.

12 killed and up to 5000 hospitalized

Could have been much worse…air circulation evacuated most of the gas

Terrorism and Criminal Skill Richard Baumhammers Ted Kaczynski Ramzi Yousef

Richard Baumhammers

Ted Kaczynski

Ramzi Yousef

Terrorist Symbolism Oklahoma City September 11, 2001 Symbolism can create abstract bridges between Terrorists and their victims

Oklahoma City

September 11, 2001

Symbolism can create abstract bridges between Terrorists and their victims

Murrah Building 168 identified fatalities 19 were children One victim was a nurse (injuries suffered during rescue effort) Metro hospitals treated over 400 people injured by blast APRIL 19, 1995

168 identified fatalities

19 were children

One victim was a nurse (injuries suffered during rescue effort)

Metro hospitals treated over 400 people injured by blast

Murrah Building Sentenced to DEATH on August 14, 1997 Sentenced to prison for "the duration of his life" TIMOTHY JOHN McVEIGH TERRY LYNN NICHOLS

Michael Fortier's Statement “ In the fall of 1994, I was first asked by Tim McVeigh to help him and Terry Nichols blow up a building. I considered it an outlandish request and gave an equally outlandish and negative response.” “ In December of 1994, I conspired to transport and then I did transport stolen weapons. I had to travel from Arizona to Kansas to get them. I was motivated by greed and did not care that they were stolen.”

Centennial Olympic Park bombing on 26 July 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia during the 1996 Summer Olympics . One killed, 100+ injured

Centennial Olympic Park bombing on 26 July 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia during the 1996 Summer Olympics . One killed, 100+ injured

Do They Fit Stereotypes? In “Understanding Terror Networks,” Marc Sageman reported: the terrorist stereotype - of poor, young, single men from the dusty backstreets of the Muslim world brainwashed into committing fanatical acts - doesn't stick when it comes to al-Qaeda. Most of them are well-educated , well-off, cosmopolitan and professional, with good jobs, wives and no history of mental illness.

In “Understanding Terror Networks,” Marc Sageman reported:

the terrorist stereotype - of poor, young, single men from the dusty backstreets of the Muslim world brainwashed into committing fanatical acts - doesn't stick when it comes to al-Qaeda.

Most of them are well-educated , well-off, cosmopolitan and professional, with good jobs, wives and no history of mental illness.

Marc Sageman reported Of his sample of 382, he had information on the social status of 306 and level of education for 264: 17.6 per cent were upper class 54.9 per cent middle class 27.5 per cent lower class 16.7 per cent were educated less than high school 12.1 per cent had at least a high school education 28.8 per cent had some college education 33.3 per cent had a college degree 9 per cent had a postgraduate degree

Of his sample of 382, he had information on the social status of 306 and level of education for 264:

17.6 per cent were upper class

54.9 per cent middle class

27.5 per cent lower class

16.7 per cent were educated less than high school

12.1 per cent had at least a high school education

28.8 per cent had some college education

33.3 per cent had a college degree

9 per cent had a postgraduate degree

Contrast Traditional Terrorism Clearly identifiable Conventional weapons Explicit grievances Specific target selection New Terrorism Loose, cell-based networks Potential WMD usage Politically vague, religious, mystical Asymmetrical

Traditional Terrorism

Clearly identifiable

Conventional weapons

Explicit grievances

Specific target selection

New Terrorism

Loose, cell-based networks

Potential WMD usage

Politically vague, religious, mystical

Asymmetrical

Chapter #2 The Nature of the Beast: Defining Terrorism

The Nature of the Beast: Defining Terrorism

Reactionaries and Radicals Right-wing extremism "is a reaction against a perceived threat to a group's value system, its presumption of superiority, or its sense of specialness." Left-wing extremism is future oriented, seeking to reform or destroy an existing system prior to building a new and just society."

Right-wing extremism "is a reaction against a perceived threat to a group's value system, its presumption of superiority, or its sense of specialness."

Left-wing extremism is future oriented, seeking to reform or destroy an existing system prior to building a new and just society."

Understanding Extremism Common Characteristics Intolerance Moral Absolutes Broad Conclusions New Language & Conspiratorial Beliefs

Common Characteristics

Intolerance

Moral Absolutes

Broad Conclusions

New Language & Conspiratorial Beliefs

UNDERSTANDING EXTREMISM: THE FOUNDATIONS OF TERRORISM Why is understanding extremism important? the 19 people of the 9/11 events were from at least five different countries: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, and Syria. The key is that each held a similar if not identical belief system. Martin Scruton: "taking a political idea to its limits, regardless of unfortunate repercussions, impracticalities, arguments, and feelings to the contrary, and with the intention not only to confront but to eliminate opposition" is political extremism, along with an "Intolerance toward all views other than one's own."

Why is understanding extremism important?

the 19 people of the 9/11 events were from at least five different countries: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, and Syria.

The key is that each held a similar if not identical belief system.

Martin Scruton:

"taking a political idea to its limits, regardless of unfortunate repercussions, impracticalities, arguments, and feelings to the contrary, and with the intention not only to confront but to eliminate opposition" is political extremism, along with an "Intolerance toward all views other than one's own."

Defining Terrorism Dictionary of Criminal Justice there are four elements in a criminal justice definition of terrorism: 1. The calculated use of violence to obtain political goals through instilling fear, intimidation, or coercion. 2. A climate of fear or intimidation created by means of threats or violent actions, causing sustained fear for personal safety, in order to achieve social or political goals. 3. An organized pattern of violent behavior designed to influence government policy or intimidate the population. Violent criminal behavior designed primarily to generate fear in the community…for political purposes.“ (Crank and Gregor, p. 24)

Dictionary of Criminal Justice

there are four elements in a criminal justice definition of terrorism:

1. The calculated use of violence to obtain political goals through instilling fear, intimidation, or coercion.

2. A climate of fear or intimidation created by means of threats or violent actions, causing sustained fear for personal safety, in order to achieve social or political goals.

3. An organized pattern of violent behavior designed to influence government policy or intimidate the population.

Violent criminal behavior designed primarily to generate fear in the community…for political purposes.“

(Crank and Gregor, p. 24)

Definitional Challenges Click on the object to run the slideshow

Click on the object to run the slideshow

An Essay on Terrorism Marc Nicholson, American Diplomacy , August 19, 2003 Former diplomat Nicholson describes terrorism as a "tool of the weak, used by disaffected groups or minorities to oppose the rule and (as they see it) the oppression of an established and militarily superior power."

Marc Nicholson, American Diplomacy , August 19, 2003

Former diplomat Nicholson describes terrorism as a "tool of the weak, used by disaffected groups or minorities to oppose the rule and (as they see it) the oppression of an established and militarily superior power."

Terrorism Defined The deliberate killing of non-military personnel in order to pursue a claimed political goal through exertion of pressure on a society; the core of other definitions is that terrorism is murderous attacks on civilians for political purposes

The deliberate killing of non-military personnel in order to pursue a claimed political goal through exertion of pressure on a society; the core of other definitions is that terrorism is murderous attacks on civilians for political purposes

Official Definitions of Terrorism State Department definition, Title 22 of the U.S. Code, Chapter 38, Section 2656f(d): premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience. FBI definition: 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. Defense Department definition: the calculated use, or threatened use, of force or violence against individuals or property to coerce or intimidate governments or societies, often to achieve political, religious, or ideological objectives. United Nations definition: any act intended to cause death or serious bodily injury to a civilian, or to any other person not taking an active part in the hostilities in a situation of armed conflict, when the purpose of such act, by its nature or context, is to intimidate a population, or to compel a government or an international organization to do or to abstain from doing any act. Article 2(b) of International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism , May 5, 2004)

Defining Terrorism Common features between the definitions include: * The use of illegal force. * Sub-national actions. * Unconventional methods. * Political motivations. * Attacks against "soft" civilian and passive military targets. * Acts aimed at purposefully affecting an audience.

Common features between the definitions include:

* The use of illegal force.

* Sub-national actions.

* Unconventional methods.

* Political motivations.

* Attacks against "soft" civilian and passive military targets.

* Acts aimed at purposefully affecting an audience.

Defining Terrorism – U.S. DOD US Code FBI State Department Composite Definition: Terrorism is a premeditated and unlawful act in which groups or agents of some principal engage in a threatened or actual use of force or violence against human or property targets. These groups or agents engage in this behavior intending the purposeful intimidation of governments or people to affect policy or behavior with an underlying political objective.

DOD

US Code

FBI

State Department

Composite Definition:

Terrorism is a premeditated and unlawful act in which groups or agents of some principal engage in a threatened or actual use of force or violence against human or property targets. These groups or agents engage in this behavior intending the purposeful intimidation of governments or people to affect policy or behavior with an underlying political objective.

Types of Terrorism State terrorism Terrorism from above - committed by or sponsored by governments Dissident terrorism Terrorism from below - committed by individuals, groups, or movements not associated with governments Religious terrorism Terrorism motivated by an absolute belief that an otherworldly power has sanctioned - and commanded - the application of terrorist violence for the greater glory of the faith Criminal terrorism Terrorism motivated by sheer profit International terrorism Terrorism that spills over onto the world's stage

State terrorism

Terrorism from above - committed by or sponsored by governments

Dissident terrorism

Terrorism from below - committed by individuals, groups, or movements not associated with governments

Religious terrorism

Terrorism motivated by an absolute belief that an otherworldly power has sanctioned - and commanded - the application of terrorist violence for the greater glory of the faith

Criminal terrorism

Terrorism motivated by sheer profit

International terrorism

Terrorism that spills over onto the world's stage

Perspectives PARTICIPANTS IN A TERRORIST ENVIRONMENT TERRORISM OR FREEDOM FIGHTING EXTREMISM OR MAINSTREAMISM IDEOLOGIES AND IDEALS

PARTICIPANTS IN A TERRORIST ENVIRONMENT

TERRORISM OR FREEDOM FIGHTING

EXTREMISM OR MAINSTREAMISM

IDEOLOGIES AND IDEALS

Political Violence Combatant Non-combatant Indiscriminate force Discriminate force

Combatant

Non-combatant

Indiscriminate force

Discriminate force

Ideologies Systems of beliefs Derived form theories that explain human conditions Can constitute political, social, or economic programs Can constitute religious, racial, or ethnic belief systems. Guide the worldview and manner of living for individuals.

Systems of beliefs

Derived form theories that explain human conditions

Can constitute political, social, or economic programs

Can constitute religious, racial, or ethnic belief systems.

Guide the worldview and manner of living for individuals.

Ideologies We’ll cover these throughout the course Anarchism Marxism Fascism

We’ll cover these throughout the course

Anarchism

Marxism

Fascism

Political Violence Matrix

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Terrorism Understanding the Threat