1. Understanding Terrorism
IWOF Lecture 2
Dr. Frank O’Donnell

2. Structure of Presentation
1. Definitions of Terrorism
2. History of Terrorism
3. Terrorism in the 20th Century
4. Different Forms of Terrorism Today

3. Learning Outcomes
1. Deconstruct and analyse common definitions of terrorism
2. Understand historical evolution of terrorism
3. Understand different forms of terrorism today

5. Defining Terrorism US DoD definition: NATO definition:
"The unlawful use of violence or threat of violence, often motivated by religious, political, or other ideological beliefs, to instill fear and coerce governments or societies in pursuit of goals that are usually political.”
NATO definition:
“The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence against individuals or property in an attempt to coerce or intimidate governments or societies to achieve political, religious or ideological objectives.”

6. No UN definition
pp :
Problem: States' use of armed forces against civilians
Problem: Right of resistance to foreign occupation

7. History of Terrorism: Ancient Terrorism
Assassination of Julius Caesar, 44BC
Sicarri Jewish Zealots, 70AD

8. History of Terrorism: Toward Modernity

9. Transition from Ancient to Modern Terrorism
“As the civilian, the voter and opinion former in democracies, holds much more influence in politics than in the past, the targeting of civilians – or ‘noncombatants’ – becomes more prominent in the twentieth century”
G. Chailand and A. Blin (eds.) The History of Terrorism: From Antiquity to al-Qaeda (University of California Press, 2007) p. 8.

10. Terrorism in the 20th Century

11. Categorising Terrorist Groups
By motivating ideology
Religious
Political (secular)
Right-wing
Left-wing
Ethnic-nationalist
Social
2. By aegis of operation
Domestic
International
3. By relationship to government
Independent
State-sponsored

12. Learning Outcomes
1. Deconstruct and analyse common definitions of terrorism
2. Understand historical evolution of terrorism
3. Understand different forms of terrorism today

13. Exercise for Tomorrow Split into groups of 4 people each
Pick a terrorist group to give a 5-minute presentation about
Presentation should focus on the group:
Origins
Structure
Strengths
Vulnerabilities