Terrorism
“On September the 11th, enemies of freedom committed an act of war against our country… Either
you are with us or you are with the terrorists. ~ President George W. Bush, 20 Sep 2001
“…the American people should remain vigilant…. Those plotting against us seek not only to undermine our security, but also the open society and the values
that we cherish as Americans. ~ President Barack Obama, 28 Dec 2009
History Definitions Characteristics, Objectives, & Tactics US National Policy and Military Policy Future of Terrorism
Overview
Terrorism to achieve political agendas isn’t new Jewish dissidents opposed Roman rule (48 C.E.) Islamic sect called Hashshashin pursued
“righteous causes” Crusaders employed rape as terror tactic
Hassan-i Sabbah, Iranian missionary who founded
the Hashshashin
History
Since 1990s, religious fundamentalism emerged as primary force for terror
Weapons proliferation narrowed the gap between the firepower of the state and dissidents
History
Radical Shiite Muqtada al-Sadr
Walter Laqueur: “Terrorism constitutes the illegitimate use of force to achieve a
political objective when innocent people are targeted.”
Department of Defense: “The unlawful 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.”
Definitions
Joint Pub. 3-07.2
The unlawful use of violence or threat of violence to instill fear and coerce governments or societies. Terrorism is often motivated by religious, political, or other ideological beliefs and committed in the pursuit of goals that are usually political.
- Joint Publication 3-07.2, Antiterrorism
Violence Political goal Psychological impact and fear Targeting of noncombatants
Key Criteria
Guerilla vs. TerrorismGuerilla vs. Terrorism
Targets Mostly military, police, or political opponents
State symbols, political opponents, and the public
at largeIntended Impact
Mainly physical attrition of the enemy
Psychological coercion
Tactics Commando-type operations
Specialized tactics: kidnapping, car bombs,
hijacking, etc.
International Legality
Yes, if follow rules of armed conduct
No
Guerilla Terrorism
Typologies of Terrorism
Political Force governments to change structure or
policies, or to achieve radical societal change
Religious Objectives/actions divinely guided; often
tied to ethnic and nationalist identities
Social “Special interest” (e.g., animal rights)
2004: Train bombings in Spain Group responsible for attack has
link to Al Qaeda
Domestic Terrorism Terrorism perpetrated by the citizens of a country against their
fellow citizens
International terrorism Terrorism in which planning and execution of the terrorist act
transcends national boundaries
Categories of Terrorism
Characteristics
Status: Most from middle class backgrounds, with some from extreme
wealth
Education: Intelligent and literate, with varying levels of formal education
Age: Operational members aged between 20-35, while suicide bombers
tend to be younger
Gender: Most are male but not exclusively
“There’s nothing wrong with being a terrorist, as long as you win.” (Paul Watson, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society)
Attract attention for cause Demonstrate group’s power Show government’s lack of power Exact revenge Obtain logistical support Cause a government to overreact
Objectives of Terrorism
1. Broad target selection: Collection of data on large number of potential targets
2. Intelligence and surveillance: Information gathering on the targets with greatest possibility of success (e.g., schedules, security, layout, etc.)
3. Specific target selection: Decision point!
Terrorist Planning Cycle
4. Pre-attack surveillance and planning: Quantity and quality of data gathering increases, and usually is gathered over days to weeks
5. Attack rehearsal: Often includes relocation to target site, testing of security responsiveness and escape routes, and checking equipment performance
Terrorist Planning Cycle
6. Action: Generally, goal is to get in, get the job done, and get out before security forces can react
7. Escape and exploitation: Escape plans well rehearsed and exploitation of successful attack vital to achieve desired effect
Terrorist Planning Cycle
AssassinationArsonBombingHostage takingKidnappingHijacking
SeizuresRaidsSabotageThreat or HoaxUse of WMD
Tactics
“Between now and 2015 terrorist tactics will become increasingly sophisticated and designed to achieve mass casualties.” (National Intelligence Council)
Assassination Murder of prominent persons,
symbolic enemies, or traitors who defect from the group
Arson Requires little technical knowledge,
poses low risk to terrorist, and can cause significant destruction
Tactics
Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat (top right) and Israeli Prime Minister
Yitzhak Rabin (below)
Bombing—Explosive devices commonly employed in warfare are now an integral part of the terrorist’s arsenal Oct 1983: Marine barracks in Beirut; 245
were killed and 146 wounded Oct 2000: Navy destroyer USS Cole
attacked, resulting in the death of 17 sailors and 39 injured
Tactics
Improvised explosive device (IED) is the terrorist’s weapon of choice: Inexpensive to produce Detonation techniques Low risk to the perpetrator Placement/concealment High attention-getting capacity
Tactics
Sep 2004: Chechen terrorists took hundreds of school children and adults
hostage in Beslan, Russia
Oct 2002: Ingrid Betancourt kidnapped by the FARC; still missing
Hostage taking Overt seizure of individuals with the
intent of gaining publicity or concessions in return for release of the hostage
Kidnapping Covert seizure of one or more specific
person(s) in order to extract specific demands
Tactics
Rescued
1976: Highjacked Flight 139 out of Tel Aviv was diverted to Entebbe, Uganda. Israeli forces, led by Col Yoni Netanyahu, rescued the hostages in Operation Thunderbolt. Netanyahu was the only military casualty.
Hijacking or Skyjacking Normally executed to produce a spectacular
hostage situation; any passenger transport can be used
Seizure Usually involves a building or object that has
value in the eyes of the audience
Tactics
Raids/Attacks on Facilities Done to gain access to media, acquire
resources, and/or demonstrate government’s inability to secure critical facilities
Sabotage Destruction of equipment or
infrastructure to demonstrate vulnerability of society and to disrupt services
Tactics
April 2005: Insurgents led a coordinated attack on Abu Ghraib prison; intended to free detainees
and kill US forces… FAILED!
Threat or Hoaxes Threat that causes diversion of
resources; can dull effectiveness of preventive or countermeasures
Use of WMD Chemical weapons used in the
past… many groups have expressed desire to acquire WMD
Tactics
1995: Terror group Aum Shinrikyo released Sarin gas in the Tokyo subway, injuring thousands and killing 12 people
“Acquiring weapons (WMD) for the defense of Muslims is a religious duty.” (Osama Bin Laden)
Terrorist Attacks 1970-2007Terrorist Attacks 1970-2007
First articulated by the Reagan administration and reaffirmed by every president since
Four enduring policy principles Make no concessions to terrorists Bring terrorists to justice for their crimes Isolate and apply pressure on states that sponsor terrorism to force
them to change their behavior Bolster the counterterrorist capabilities of those countries that work
with the United States and require assistance
US Terror Policy
Advance effective democracies as the long-term antidote to the ideology of terrorism;
Prevent attacks by terrorist networks; Deny weapons of mass destruction to rogue states and
terrorist allies who seek to use them; Deny terrorists the support and sanctuary of rogue states; Deny terrorists control of any nation they would use as a
base and launching pad for terror; and Lay the foundations and build the institutions and
structures we need to carry the fight forward against terror and help ensure our ultimate success.
National Strategy for Combating Terrorism
Dept. of Homeland Security established: Third largest cabinet department after DOD and VA
Incorporates existing agencies, including US Coast Guard, Secret Service, and CIS
Coordinates capabilities of 22+ agencies to: Secure borders, transportation, critical infrastructure Synthesize/analyze homeland security intelligence Spearheads domestic counter-terrorism efforts
US Policy Post 9/11
Guiding principles: US forces will continue to engage Force protection will be a major consideration
DOD addresses terrorism from two distinct perspectives: Counterterrorism (offensive) Anti-terrorism (defensive)
Intelligence critical component for success
US Military Policy
Counterterrorism Offensive measures taken to prevent, deter, and respond to
terrorism include Operation El Dorado Canyon and the GWOT
Antiterrorism Defensive measures to reduce vulnerability include facility
hardening, setting buildings back from roads/parking lots, and limiting access to military posts
US Military Policy
Force Protection—An integrated application of offensive/defensive actions that deter, detect, preempt, mitigate, or negate threats against or hazards to Air Force air and space operations and assets, based on an acceptable level of risk (JP 1-02) Relocation of deployed forces out of
heavily populated areas to an isolated base Deployment of floating barriers around
warships in high-risk areas
Force Protection
“Asymmetric challenges can arise across the spectrum of conflict thatwill confront US forces in a theater of operations or on US soil.”
(National Intelligence Council)
Terrorists are a dynamic enemy…and are adapting to the challenges posed by developing societies
Groups like Al Qaeda and Hezbollah benefit from and are exploiting globalization, even as they fight against it
Terrorist groups are becoming more network based, encouraging loosely organized, self-financed organizational structure
Future of Terrorism
International or transnational cooperation among terrorist groups is becoming the norm
WMD proliferation amplifies the danger of broad, network-based terrorism.
Terrorists increasingly display a willingness to use catastrophic violence to cause mass casualties and destruction
Future of Terrorism
Other trends: Intense motivational extremism Flexible organization structure Aggressive training to improve operational capability Increasing exploitation of media Increasing mass casualties and chaos through use of more
advanced weapons
Future of Terrorism
“States with poor governance; ethnic, cultural, or religious tensions; weak economies; and porous borders will be prime breeding grounds for terrorism.”
(National Intelligence Council)
History Definitions Characteristics, Objectives, & Tactics US National Policy and Military Policy Future of Terrorism
Summary
Questions?
“We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail.” —President Bush, 20 Sep 2001
Homework
Prepare for Lesson 7 The Need for Cross-Cultural Competence