strategy for combating terrorism

7/29/2019 strategy for combating terrorism

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STRATEGY FOR COMBATING

TERRORISM

Joseph E. Goldberg

Industrial College of the Armed Forces

National Defense University

Presented to RCNS

July 20, 2009


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The Frustration of Defining

Terrorism

We have cause to regret that a legal

concept of terrorism was ever inflicted

upon us. The term is imprecise, it is

ambiguous; and above all, it serves no

operative legal purpose.Richard Baxter, A Skeptical Look at the Concept of Terrorism, 7

Akron Law Review380 (1974)


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The Importance of a Definition

The importance of the existing, and proposed,

terrorism conventions lies in the provision of a

framework for the obligations regarding

international cooperation, ensuring, for example,that states are obliged to extradite or prosecute

persons suspected of the offences covered by

them.

Helen Duffy, The War on Terror and theFramework of International Law, (2005)


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Department of Defense Definition

of Terrorism

The calculated use of unlawful 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.

US Department of Defense, office of Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joint

Publication 1-02: Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and

Associated Terms.


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U.S. Department of State

Definition of Terrorism

premeditated, politically motivated

violence perpetrated against

noncombatant* targets by subnational

groups or clandestine agents, usuallyintended to influence an audience

*noncombatant is interpreted to include, in addition to

civilians, military personnel who at the time of the

incident are unarmed and/or not on duty.


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Al-QaedaThe Organization and the

Movement


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Explanations For the Rise of

Terrorism in the Name of Islam Religious Explanations

Islam itself

Reactions to the West

Contention that foreign and economic

policies of Western countries

especially the West-have harmed Islam

Group Reactions

Terrorists are like youthful gang members

operating in an Islamic context.

Root Causes of Terrorism

Poverty and ignorancecoupled with globalization


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The Threat of Al-Qaida

al-Qaida has suffered serious setbacks, but itremains a determined, adaptive enemy, unlikeany our nation has ever faced.

al-Qaida today is both resilent and vulnerable. al-Qaida operating from its safe haven in

Pakistans tribal areas remains the most clearand present danger to the safety of the United

States. Former CIA Director Michael Hayden

Address at the Atlantic Council, November 13,2008


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Al-Qaidah in the Arabian Peninsula

(AQAP)

On January 20, 2009 a message was posted ona jihadist forum, Islamic Al-Fallujah,announcedthe formation of a new coalition under a newamir in Yemen, Abu-Basir al-Wahishi

The Abu-Abdullah Usama Bin Ladin Brigade issaid to be the sole Al-Qaida representative inthe Arabian Peninsula.

It is to be based in the Yemen highlandsgeographical conditions which are conducive tosuccessful recruitment and training of jihadists.


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AQAP2

The Al-Qaidah in the Arabian Peninsula issueda video showing the unity between the twomerged coalition members:from Yemen andSaudi Arabia.

The video was the first appearance of theYemeni leader of the group, Nasir al-Wuhayshi,with his Saudi deputy, Abu-Sufyan al-Azadi al-Shihri (aka Abu-Sayyaf al-Shiri).

Al-Shihri had been a former Guantanomo inmateas was another Saudi member of the leadership.


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Al-Qaida in Yemen

On January 24, 2009, Abu Osama, a

member of the military council of al-Qaeda

and the commander of the Yemen

Brigades claimed that over 300 youngYemeni men affiliated with al-Qaeda

traveled to Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia

for Jihad in 2008.


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Al-Qaeda the base

Al-Qaeda was formed in 1988

Among its founders were:

Osama bin Ladin

Abdullah Yusuf Azzam


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Osama Bin Laden

Born in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia in 1957


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Bin Ladens Background

Son of Muhammad Awad bin Laden, whofounded Saudi Construction andcontracting companies

One of 53 children Mother, Muhammads fourth wife, was a

Syrian.

Educated in Jedda schools before enteringKing Abdul Aziz University where hestudied management and economics.


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Bin Laden

In 1979, Bin Laden left Saudi Arabia forAfghanistan where he participated in the Jihadagainst the Soviets.

He primarily raised funds In 1984, Bin Laden moved to Peshawar,Pakistan.

Founded the Services Office )Maktab al-

Khidamat) with Dr. Abdullah Yusuf Azzam tofunnel money to the resistance, to recruitfighters, and to train them.


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Bin Laden

In the late 1980s, Bin Laden broke off from

Azzam and formed Al-Qaeda in 1988.

Dispute with Azzam was over Bin Ladens

desire to export jihad to other areas while

Azzam believed they should concentrate

on supporting Muslims in Afghanistan.

Azzam was murdered in late 1989 by a car

bomb.


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Spiritual Mentor of Bin Laden

Born in the province of Jenin in the WestBank in 1941

Graduated from Khadorri College, an

agricultural School, and later enrolled inSharia College at Damascus Universitywhere he obtained a B.A. in Islamic Law in1966.

In 1967 he immigrated to Jordan where hefought against Israel


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In 1971 Azzam entered Al-Azhar

University in Cairo where he received his

Ph.D. in Principles of Islamic

Jurisprudence in 1973.

Accepted a university position in Saudi

Arabia.


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Leaves Saudi Arabia for Islamabad,

Pakistan where he is appointed a lecturer

at the International Islamic University.

Resigns to devote himself to jihad and

moves to Peshawar where he founds the

Bait-ul-Ansar(Mujahideen Services

Bureau)


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Azzams Theoretical Legacy

Only by means of organized military force would

the Ummah(Islamic Nation) emerge victorious.

Jihad and the rifle alone: no negotiations, no

conferences and no dialogues. Creation of a kind of Islamic internationale

through the recruitment of volunteers throughout

the Muslim world to export the Islamic revolution

to the world at large.


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Intellectual Fathers of al-Qaeda

Sayyid Qutb

Sayyid Qutb born in Mush, Egypt in 1906

Hanged on August 29, 1966

Major Works: Fi Zalal al-Koran(In theShadow of the Koran); Milestones.


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Philosophic Roots of Al Qaeda

Sayyid Qutb Early Christianity imported from Greek philosophy

the belief in a spiritual existence completelyseparate from physical life, a zone of pure spirit.

Christianity lost touch with the physical worldits

division of the world into Caesars and Gods put thephysical world in one corner and the spiritual worldin another.

Through revelation, the Prophet Muhammadestablished the correct, nondistorted relation to

human nature. He dictated a new strict legal code which put religion

at ease with the physical world.


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Sayyid Qutb

The Koran instructed man to take charge of thephysical world.

Through science Islam seized the leadership ofmankind.

The Muslims, however, came under attack fromCrusaders, Mongols, and other enemies. Andbecause the Muslims proved unfaithful toMuhammads revelations, they could not fend offthese attacks.

The Muslim discoveries of science were imported toEurope where modern science emerged in the 16thCentury and Europe dominated the world.


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Sayyid Qutb

The European way of life brought a sense of drift,purposelessness, and a craving for false pleasures.

Treacherous Muslims inflicted Christianitysschizophrenia on the world of Islam.

The recognition of more than one authorityGodsin the spiritual realm and mans in the physical realmwas a step back into paganism.

European imperialism was a continuation of theMedieval Crusades against Islam.

The conflict between the Western liberal countriesand the world of Islam remains in essence of theideologyreligion was the issue.


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Sayyid Qutb

The first step is to open peoples eyesMuslims hadto recognize the nature of the danger.

ISLAM HAD COME UNDER ASSAULT FROMOUTSIDE THE MUSLIM WORLD AND ALSO FROM

INSIDE THE MUSLIM WORLD.

THE ASSAULT FROMTHE OUTSIDE WAS LED BYCRUSADERS AND WORLD ZIONISM.

THE ASSAULT FROM THE INSIDE WAS FROMMUSLIMS WHO POLLUTED THE MUSLIM WORLDWITH INCOMPATIBLE IDEAS DERIVED FROMELSEWHERE.


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Sayyid Qutb

THE VANGUARD OF TRUE MUSLIMS WAS GOINGTO UNDERTAKE THE RENNOVATION OF ISLAMAND OF CIVILIZATION ALL OVER THE WORLD.

SHARIAHWOULD BE REINSTATED AS THE LEGALCODE FOR ALL OF SOCIETY.

IT IS THE ABOLITION OF MAN MADE LAWS.

Paul Berman, The Philosopher of Islamic Terror,The New York Times Magazine( March 23, 2003 )


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Bin Ladens May 1998 Fatwa(Published in Al-Quds al-Arabi)

February 23, 1998

The primary reason for the declaration of Jihadagainst Americans is that for over seven years theUnited States has been occupying the lands of Islamin the holiest of places, the Arabian Peninsula,

plundering its riches, dictating to its rulers,humiliating its people, terrorizing its neighbors, andturning its bases in the Peninsula into a spearheadthrough which to fight the neighboring Muslimpeoples.

The devastation inflicted on the Iraqi people. The American role in serving the Jews petty state

and its occupation of Jeruslaem.


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Islams Challenge

Source: U.S. Military Academy, Combatting Terrorism Center


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Muslims-Islamists-Salafis-Jihadis

Muslimsthe 1.4 billion members of the Islamic faith throughout theworld irrespective of their observance of Islam.

Islamiststhose adherents of Islam who are committed to living theirlives in accordance with sharia, islamic law

.Salafis-derived from as-salaf as-saliheen, the pious predecessors ofthe early Muslim community. They believe that observance of Islamrequires direct access to the Koran and Hadith and the inspirationprovided by the actions and experiences of the Prophet and hisfollowers (salaf al-salih, the righteous ancestors). Most salafists arepietistic who wish to reform society through the reform of individualmores and patterns of behavior. Their emphasis is on teachingondawa, the call to Islam. They preach the strict and literal imitation of

the Prophet and his companions as the model of Islamic society. Jihads-believe that Islam must be defended through armed struggle

and are a minority of Salafists.


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Jihadists

The links between salafism and jihadism lie in salafi sectarian

hostility to Christians, Jews and Shia and a literalist reading of

the Quran, which contains a scattering of verses that valorizewarfare against unbelievers.

Steven Simon, Haib J. Sabbagh Senior Fellow at CFR

Salafi jihad: Those who identify present day Muslim societiesas Jahilyya(the barbaric state of ignorance existing before theProphets revelations) because their leaders refuse to impose

Sharia and true Islamic way of life. Such leaders are viewed as

apostates, deserving death. These salafis advocate the violentoverthrow of these regimes (THE NEAR ENEMY) and to restoreIslam at home before venturing to defeat Israel and the West(THE FAR ENEMY). As advocated by Qutb.


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Jihadists(Continued)

Global Salafi Jihad: Those salafists who place theirpriority on fighting the far enemy, the West and

specifically the U.S. and Israel, before turningagainst the near enemy. This view is expressed in

bin Ladens 1996 fatwa.

[The distinction between the Salafi jihadists and the GlobalSalafi Jihadists is that of Marc Sageman in his Statement to

the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the UnitedStates, July 9,2003.


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Marc Sagemans Profile of Global Salafi Jihadists(Based on Data from more than 130 members)

Country of Origin

60% come from core Arab countries

Mostly Saudi Arabia and Egypt

30% come from the Maghreb Arab countries

10% come from Indonesia

Socio-Economic Status

Two-thirds from solid upper or middle class backgrounds.

Most of the rest came from the excluded Maghreb immigrants

or second generation in France, as well as Western Christianconverts.

They came from caring intact families.


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Profile of Global Salafi Jihadists(2)

Religious Background

Indonesians were uniformly religious as children

60% of the Core Arab children were religious

None of the Maghreb Arab children were religious.

Education Backgound

As a group, the terrorists were relatively well educatedwith 60%having some college education.

Only the Indonesian group was almost exclusively educated inreligious schools.

Most had occupational training and only a quarter wereconsidered unskilled with few prospects.


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Marital Status

Three quarters were married and the majority had children.

Mental Status

No mental illness was detected in this group or any common

psychological predisposition to terror.

Age of Jihadists

Average age for joining the jihad was 26 years.

The Indonesians joined at a later age (30)

Core Arabs at a younger age (23)


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Context of Joining the Jihad The prospective terrorists joined the jihad through pre-existing social bonds

with people who were already terrorists or had decided to join the group.

Affiliation with the jihad was through FRIENDSHIP, KINSHIP,DISCIPLESHIP AND WORSHIP.

65% of the cases, pre-existing friendship bonds played an important role;homesick young men drift to familiar settings, like mosques, to findcompanionship and alleviate their loneliness. There small clusters offriendship formed spontaneously and they often moved into apartmentstogether.

15% joined the jihad through relatives already in the jihad.

Indonesians were all disciples of Abu Bakar Baasyir and had studied in one ofhis two religious boarding schools.

10% gave religious beliefs as the only reason for joining the jihad.


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Bin Ladens May 1998 Fatwa(Continued)

All of these crimes and sins committed by the

Americans are a clear declaration of war on God, hismessenger, and Muslims. And ulema havethroughout Islamic history unanimously agreed that

the jihad is an individual duty if the enemy destroysthe Muslim countries.


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Issue of the 1998 Fatwato all Muslims:

The ruling to kill the Americans and their alliescivilians and militaryis an individual duty for everyMuslim who can do it in any country in which it ispossible to do it, in order to liberate the al-Aqsa

Mosque and the holy mosque from their grip, and inorder their armies to move out of all the lands ofIslam, defeated and unable to threaten any Muslim.


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Al-Qaedas Intentions

Who are the audiences that al-Qaeda

attempts to influence throught speech and

deed?

What are the messages that al-Qaeda

expects these audiences to receive?

What does al-Qaeda expect their

responses to be?


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The Audiences

The Islamic World

Muslims, Islamists, Salafists, Jihadists

The Near Enemy

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the Gulf States, Turkey,India, Pakistan

The Far Enemy

Israel The United States

Europe and the West


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Possible Intent of Al-Qaeda Action

Videos and interviews that are broadcast and publishedare intended: To change the policies of countries allied with the U.S. by

eroding popular support for assisting the U.S. in the war againstterrorism.

Strip allies away from the U.S. and keep it isolated. Bin Ladens November 12, 2002 Speech to American

Allies Claimed attack on the U.S. was due to the killing [of] our sons in

Iraq [through U.N. sanctions] and [because of] what Americasally Israel is doing.

Action would lead U.S. allies to distance themselves. The cost of supporting the U.S. would be al-Qaeda attacks.

Examples: attacks on German tourists in Tunisia and Australiansand Britons in Bali.

Intention of Al-Qaeda Acts


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Intentionof Al-Qaeda Acts

Michael Scheuer, Al-Qaeda Doctrine for International Warfare,Terrorism FocusVol. 3, Issue 42 (October 31, 2006)

European populations blamed their political leaders for

Stimulating the attacks by maintaining their policies.

Media blamed P.M. Blairs support for the U.S. following theJuly 2005 metro attacks in London.

Pro U.S. Spanish government defeated after the March 2003attack, and Spain withdrew its forces from Iraq.

Summer 2006 Italian election, P.M. Berlusconis government

was defeated.


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Possible Results of Al-Qaeda attacks on potential

opponents of the group attacked

Al-Qaeda attacks of September 11thled to the Westsdefeat of the Taliban.

Many al-Qaeda leaders were arrested and killed.

Osama bin-Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri are inhiding and do not appear to be in control ofoperations which have become franchised to local

groups.

In Europe, the jihadist cause was taken up by home-

grown extremists.


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Intelligence Analysis of al-Qaeda

On the March, Economist(January 18-24, 2007)

Outgoing DNI John Negroponte said in Congressionaltestimony in January 11, 2006:

Al-Qaedas core leadership was resilient. Itshiding places in Pakistan were secure and it was

cultivating stronger operational connections andrelationships with affiliated groups across theMiddle East, north Africa and Europe.

Testimony is consistent with British Intelligence Chiefs.

In November 2006, Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller, head of M15, said there were 200 terroristnetworks involving about 1,600 suspects, andinvestigating up to 30 high-priority plots.


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Revitalization of al-Qaeda

EconomistAnalysis Continued

Revitalization partly due to the fact that the pressureis off in North Waziristan and the truce has providedcross-border safe havens for the Taliban.

Concern about blowbacks from Iraq, and hardened

fighters who could wage campaigns elsewhere.

Al-Qaeda has taken a beating in Somalia but theyhave been growing stronger in north Africa.

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strategy for combating terrorism