Terrorism

What is Terrorism?

No accepted definition. Dictionary: the use of force or threats

to demoralize, intimidate and subjugate, especially as a political weapon

Civilians as victims only? innocent civilians in Israel and US do not exist-Bin Laden)

Tactic Goals vary by group

Types of Terrorism

Domestic International Religious/Apocalyptic, Political, Social,

Environmental, leftist/fundamentalist

Types of Political Terrorism

National Separatist: cultural, ethnic, tribal, religious, racial separation from the larger group, often with demands for independence or autonomy

Religious/ Apocalyptic Terrorism

Killing in the Name of God; Often political undertones.

Al-Qaeda? Abortion Clinic Bombers Suicide Bombers? Aum Shinrikyo

Environmental Terrorism

Earth Liberation Front: acts of terrorism, violence or sabotage committed in support of ecological, environmental, or animal rights.

Common Tactic: Arson, Robbery, Tree Spiking, bombing Recent example: Discovery Channel Hostage taking More common in developed world

Leftist Terrorism

Maoists in Nepal, East India. Marxists (Shining Path) Techniques generally include:

kidnapping, bombing, guerilla warfare

Perpetrators of Terror

Lone Wolf vs. Sophisticated Group

Why? Varies substantially depending on group

and region Suggested Theories:

Poverty Regime Type

Inequality Revenge

Lack of Education Religiously Motivated

Anger

Poverty and lack of education?

In international terrorism perpetrators and leaders generally very educated and from a privileged background: 9/11 Hijackers, London Bombers, ‘Underwear bomber’.

Domestic Terrorism: Often poor and uneducated; no other path

Sex and Money? Lures young men with raging hormones Promise of Houri’s Palestinian/Pakistani groups recruit poor children,

offer money and heaven.

Revenge

In interviews with Palestinian ‘failed suicide bombers’, almost all reported being upset that family members had been killed or incarcerated by Israeli’s.

Regime Type

Positive correlation between democracy and terrorism

Why? Open media Opportunity

Civil Liberties Persecution/Rule by Iron Fist in

Authoritarian Regimes

Goals

Fear (most Groups i.e Greek Anarchists, ELF/ALF, )

Media Coverage (Almost all groups) Martyrdom (National Hero) As many deaths as possible (new

phenomena; Al Qaeda, Shining Path, Tamil Tigers)

Total number of Terrorist Attacks

87,710 Total Attacks 44,715(0 victims) 32,140 (1-10 victims) 3,613 (11-50 victims) 288 (51-100 victims) 112 (101+ victims)

Regions with Most Attacks

South America (17266) Middle East/North Africa (15346) Western Europe (14474) South Asia (13072) Central America (10539) Sub-Saharan Africa (5825) Southeast Asia (4938)

States with most attacks (1970-2007)

Colombia (7004) Peru (6082) El Salvador (5347) India (5178) Ireland (3975) Spain (3224) Pakistan (3209) Turkey (2776) Sri Lanka (2498)

States with Deadliest Attacks (Over 100 killed in a single attack)

Nicaragua (12) El Salvador (10) Burundi (7) Sri Lanka (6) Rwanda (6) Russia (4) Nepal (4) Angola (4) Ethiopia (3)

Pape: Strategic Logic of Terrorism

Main points: World leader in suicide terrorism is

LTTE 180 suicide terrorist attacks from 1980-

2001 Why? Because it works; no internment Most common goal: withdrawal of

military forces in land; independence