International Terrorism: Defined Book definition of terrorism: Politically motivated violence directed against noncombatants designed to instill fear in a target audience. Main components: Violence: Breaking things and/or killing people Purpose: Political objective achieved thru fear, get changes in population’s or government’s behavior Targets: Non-combatant or civilian people or things Terrorism is international if terrorists or targets of more than one country are involved

International Terrorism Possible examples (not always so clear)? Attack on USS Cole in 2000 Palestinian attack on a Jewish settler in Hebron Palestinian attack on a Tel Aviv night club Bombings of US embassies in 1998 9/11 plane crash into Pentagon 9/11 planes into World Trade Center Iraq Car bomb in a market place Car bomb at police station Car bomb at a US military base

Terrorism: Possible Reasons Why Means of the weak: No other feasible means to conduct conflict Psychological Mentally unbalanced Emotional needs: Self esteem, group ID Ideology “True Believer” Environment Grievances (economic, political) Culture of violence

Terrorism: Possible Reasons Why (II) Continuation of the Organization Religion or Culture Islam and Arabs Revenge (can this be a political purpose?)

Terrorism Methods Conventional WMD – Relatively new Bombings Assassinations Kidnappings WMD – Relatively new Big effects get big fear Cyber attacks on computers though phones or internet

Al Queda Terror: Possible Motives? Anger Felt under attack by West, specifically US Abandoned by US after Afghanistan US intrusion into Arab world for Desert Storm and after, including military presence in Saudi holy land Arab-Israeli conflict and mistreatment of Palestinians Political Felt politically dispossessed in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia & other Persian Gulf states Felt these states not Islamic enough

Al Queda Terror: Possible Objectives? US withdrawal from middle east, especially Saudia Arabia US reaction in middle east that causes long term antagonism towards muslims and gains Al Queda more support Revenge so Arabs and/or muslims will be taken seriously Will of God?

How Respond to Terror Eliminate causes? Defense & Security Difficult even to agree on causes Probably Northern Ireland Maybe Palestine Probably not Al Queda Defense & Security What is it: Crime, act of war, political or other? Who is in charge and which laws apply? War ? Crime

How Respond to Terror (II) Counter Attack/Preemptive Attack Military Operations Covert Operations Law & International Cooperation Law enforcement & civil liberties Financial State sponsorship of terror group or acts?

Does Terrorism Work? Does get attention - Palestinian history Can economically hurt target and cause fear If targets primarily far away military, government or others, MAYBE If hurts main populace, probably not They get angry MAY over react