2. What is Terrorism?
Terrorism actually comes from the Latin Word “Fear”
“The Unlawful Use of Force Against Persons or Property to Intimidate
or Coerce a Government, the Civilian Population, or Segment Thereof,
in the Furtherance of Political or Social Objectives.”(Source FBI)
Is an unlawful act of violence
Intimidates governments or societies
Goal is to achieve political
religious or ideological objectives
4. Terrorist Motives
• Ethnic Cleansing
• Damage Infrastructure “Terrorism seeks to hurt a few
people and to scare a lot of
• Disrupt Normal Life people in order to make a point”
• Direct Kill of an Enemy NYTimes, 1/6/2000
• Undermine Confidence In Government
- Requires Media Coverage
- Should effect as many people as possible
- Must last long enough to overwhelm (NYC)
5. Acts of Terrorism in the World
September 11th was NOT the first act of terrorism
Using the FBI’s definition of terrorism, can
you think of an event that occurred in history
that could be called terrorism?
6. Acts of Terrorism in the World
September 11th was NOT the first act of terrorism
Terrorism occurs in many parts of the world
Some revolutionary groups in Europe have engaged in terrorist
acts before (French Revolution, although different from today)
Assassination of Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria and his
wife (lead to WW1).
Palestinians use it against Jews in Israel.
White southerns used terrorism against African Americans as
part of their defense of white supremacy.
7. Terrorism Against the United States
February 1993: World Trade Center in New York, bomb exploded in parking
garage killing six people by Ramzi Yousef and co-conspirators
April 19, 1995: Federal Building in Oklahoma City –bombing by Timothy
McVeigh and Terry Nichols – killed 168 (19 of which were children);
injured 100s more
June 25, 1996: Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabi – bombing by Al Qaeda – killed
19 US servicemen
July 27, 1996: Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA bombing – killed 1, injured 111
October 12, 2000: USS Cole in Yemen - bombing by Al-Qaeda, killed 17
sailors; injured 39
8. Terrorism Against the United States
September 11, 2001
2 planes crash into the World Trade Center Twin Towers
Plane crashes into the Pentagon
Plane headed to Capital Hill – Congress – brave American citizens tried to fight the terrorist
on board; plane crashes in Somerset county in Shanksville PA
Nearly 3,000 victims
Al Qaeda members hijacked the planes – leader Osama Bin Laden – claimed responsible for
attacks in 2004.
Why would they target the World Trade Center, the Pentagon,
and attempt to attack the Capital building?
9. Islamic Extremism
Acts of terrorism committed by extremists who call themselves Muslims for
the purpose of achieving varying political and/or religious ends.
It is said that only 5% of Muslims globally are terrorists
Al Qaeda global militant Islamist group founded by Osama (Usama) bin
Laden. It operates as a network comprising both a multinational, stateless
army and a radical Sunni Muslim movement calling for global Jihad.
Jihad: In western societies the term jihad is often translated as "holy war".
Sacrificing one's life for the sake of Islam/God/a just cause" or "fighting
against the opponents of Islam”.
Where are terrorist and Al Queda members from?
( FBI Most Wanted Terrorists)
10. Al Qaeda
• Well funded group – wealthy
• Global
• Elaborate
• Smart
• Some Al Qaeda members work in business offices and are upper
class members of society
• Possible Nuclear Weapons?
Not to be confused with the Taliban:
Taliban -- > group of varying tribes mostly in Afghanistan, Iraq, and
Pakistan – they make their people dependent on them purposely–
attack US if we are on their land - tolerates/supports Al Qaeda (lets
Al Qaeda stay and live on their land)
11. War on Terrorism
The United States Responds to 9/11!
The phrase War on Terror was first used by US President George W. Bush
United States Homeland Security Implemented
War on Terror “...is an international military campaign led by the
United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as well as non-NATO
countries. Campaign was waged against Al Qaeda and other
militant organizations with the purpose of eliminating them.”
12. “We do not create terrorism by fighting the
terrorists. We invite terrorism by ignoring
them.”
-GEORGE W. BUSH, speech, Dec. 18, 2005
13. War on Terrorism
The War in Afghanistan (October 7, 2001 – present) Armed Forces
launched Operation Enduring Freedom along with the British Armed
Forces and Afghan United Front (Northern Alliance) in response to the
September 11 attacks with the stated goal of dismantling Al-Qaeda
and ending its use of Afghanistan as a base for terrorist operations
Still ongoing
Homeland Security Created (2002) security efforts to protect the
United States against terrorist activity
Iraq War: ‘Operation Iraqi Freedom’ (March 20, 2003 –
August 31, 2010)
• Talibans let Al Qaeda on their land
• Thought Iraqis had Weapons of Mass Destruction
•Wanted to liberate the people from Saddam Hussein
•Democratic Elections held
14. United States Special Operation
Forces
United States Army (Rangers, Green Berets)
United States Marine Corps
United States Navy (SEALS)
United States Air Force
United States Coast Guard
Intelligence Community Special Units (CIA)
15. “Nuclear Football”
Also called Nuclear Lunchbox, President’s Emergency Satchel, The Button,
and the Black Box
Nuclear black leather briefcase used to authorize the use of nuclear
weapons
Used by the President of the United States
Guarded by the President’s assistant 24/7: Attached to their wrist. Five such assistants
are recruited from Us Army and Coast Guard. Have to go through intense background
checks – highest is “White Yankee”
Functions as a mobile hub in the strategic defense system of the United
States
16. Guantánamo Bay “Gitmo”
(In Cuba)
‘The facility was established in 2002 by the Bush Administration to hold
detainees from the war in Afghanistan and later Iraq’
Controversial- UN and other global groups protested the legal status and
physical condition of prisoners at Guantánamo.
Obama wanted to close Guantanamo because of the controversial human
rights and possible torture occurring there to prisoners that may not even
be terrorists. – Wants to have the prisoners have fair trail, that a US citizen
would get -
17. Fighting Terrorism Today
Death of Al Qaeda Leader
Osama Bin Laden May 1st, 2011
Special Operations under President Barrack Obama – Navy SEALS
How will Osama Bin Laden's death affect the war on terror?
"One man does not make this war on terrorism," said U.S. Major General John Campbell,
commander of the international forces in eastern Afghanistan. "They'll find somebody to replace
him.“
However, Campbell said the loss of bin Laden could hurt al Qaeda's ability to raise money
What do you think?
