Chap 7 Interpreting Terrorisms Geographic Perspectives

George Bush on 9/11 Bush on 9/ :04 to 20:00

Underlying Theme Terrorist attacks concentrate geographically where the results look most promising

Key Historical Events in the background Israeli independence 1948 Islamic Revolution and Republic 1979 Post WWII growth of Middle Eastern Oil wealth End of Cold War 1989 Money, ideology coalesce and fill the vacuum

Geogarphy: recent history of terrorism PHASE ONE – post WWII to 1970s Focus – autonomy, nationalism, local ideology Geography – local within a country usually LOCAL – close to where demand for territorial autonomy or freedom was greatest or ideological change would have the most impact Mixed success – many nationalistic or ideological movements fail (Bader- Meinhoff Gang) Some successes – Israeli terrorist organization Ending of colonial empires

PHASE TWO – Munich Olympics to 1990’s Focus – still autonomy Geography – where ever it was “easiest” to hit opponent – becomes global Attacks expanded to distant “soft targets” Also attacks that would garner greater international impact and notoriety

PHASE THREE – “Clash of Civilizations” Ubiquitous westernization and globalization – challenge to tradition Rural to urban migration – more conservative views arrive in old power centers Emergence of well –funded and radicalized Islam Focus now becomes religiosity & conservative radicalism Geography moves to Western world – although most activities remain in developing world

One Geographic Hot spot Islamic Front in Africa Difficult to determine how much of this instability if local and how much international How closely are El Quaida affiliates tied to any central organization or ideology Africa History 7 th century Islam starts expansion to south, sub-saharan area 15 th century – Western Colonial powers appear and slow/halt Islamic spread, encourage Xtianity instead Post-colonial states untenable mix of religious and ethnic groups, entirely artificial “nation” states Corruption and Power guiding lights to kleptocrates (kleptocracy not democracy)

WHERE ARE We Going today?