INTERNATIONAL

TERRORISM
TERRORISM is an act composed of at least
4 crucial elements.
• It is an act of violence

• It has a political motive or goal

• It is played before an audience whose reaction of fear &

terror is the desired result.

• It is staged to be played before an audience whose reaction

of fear & terror is the desired result.
 5 types of terror-violence exist:
 MASS TERROR – TARGET the general population.

 DYNASTIC ASSASSINATION – TARGET - head of state or

ruling elite.

 RANDOM TERROR – TARGET – anyone in “the wrong place

at the wrong time”

 FOCUSED RANDOM TERROR – TARGET – members of the

“opposition”

 TACTICAL TERROR – TARGET – the government.

 Common Types of Terrorism
 Political Terrorism: This is the use of violence to achieve
political goals, such as overthrowing a government or bringing
about social change. Political terrorists may target government
officials, military personnel, or civilians

 Motivation: Aims to overthrow a government, influence policy, or

disrupt the political order.
Examples:
 IRA bombings in Northern Ireland to pressure for a united Ireland.
 Al-Qaeda attacks on September 11th, 2001, to challenge U.S. foreign
policy in the Middle East.
 Common Types of Terrorism
 Religious Terrorism: This is violence motivated by religious
extremism. Religious terrorists believe that they are carrying
out the will of God or another higher power.

 Motivation: Driven by an extremist interpretation of religion to establish

a religious state or purge "unbelievers."
Examples:
 ISIS beheadings to intimidate and spread fear.
 The Tokyo subway sarin gas attack by Aum Shinrikyo, a doomsday cult.
 Common Types of Terrorism
 Nationalist Terrorism: This is violence carried out by groups
seeking national independence or a separate homeland.
Nationalist terrorists may target government symbols, military
bases, or civilians from a particular ethnic group

 Motivation: Fights for an independent nation or ethnic homeland.

Examples:
 Tamil Tigers' suicide bombings in Sri Lanka during their civil war.
 Oklahoma City bombing by Timothy McVeigh, a right-wing extremist
protesting federal involvement in Ruby Ridge..
 Common Types of Terrorism
 Right-Wing Terrorism: This is violence carried out by groups with
extreme right-wing ideologies, such as white nationalism or
fascism. Right-wing terrorists may target minorities, immigrants,
or political opponents

 Motivation: Upholds extreme right-wing ideologies like white supremacy or

fascism, often targeting minorities or perceived enemies.
Examples:
 The Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand by a white supremacist.
 Timothy McVeigh's Oklahoma City bombing can be seen as both right-wing
and nationalist terrorism...
 Common Types of Terrorism
 Left-Wing Terrorism: This is violence carried out by groups with
extreme left-wing ideologies, such as communism or anarchism.
Left-wing terrorists may target government institutions,
corporations, or symbols of wealth and power.

 Motivation: Advances radical leftist goals like communism or anarchism,

often targeting symbols of capitalism or the state.
Examples:
 Weather Underground bombings protesting the Vietnam War in the US.
 Red Army Faction attacks in West Germany during the Cold War.
 Common Types of Terrorism
 State Terrorism: This is the use of violence by a government
against its own people or against the citizens of another country.
State terrorism can include things like torture, assassination, and
mass murder.
 Motivation: Governments using violence or intimidation against their own
citizens or another country's population.
Examples:
 The Syrian government's chemical weapons attacks on civilians during the
Syrian Civil War.
 Assassination attempts or disappearances orchestrated by authoritarian
regimes..
 Common Types of Terrorism
 Cyberterrorism: This is the use of computer networks to carry out
attacks that cause damage or disruption. Cyberterrorists may
target critical infrastructure, such as power grids or financial
systems, or they may steal sensitive information.

 Motivation: Disrupting critical infrastructure, stealing sensitive information,

or causing economic damage.
Examples:
 Hacking attacks on power grids or financial institutions.
 Leaking classified information to undermine governments or businesses
 FOUR QUADRANTS REPRESENTING DIFFERENT TYPES OF VIOLENCE:

 WARFARE: State actors target other state actors for political goals (e.g., military battles).

 STATE TERRORISM: State actors target civilians for political goals (e.g., government using violence
against its own people).

 CONVENTIONAL CRIME: Targeting anyone for personal gain (e.g., robbery, kidnapping for ransom).

 TERRORISM: Targeting civilians for political or ideological goals (e.g., bombings to spread fear).
 Important consideration
 These categories sometimes overlap.

 A group might have religious and nationalist motivations, for

instance.

 Terrorism is constantly evolving. New ideologies and technologies

can lead to the emergence of new forms of terrorism.

 Understanding the motivations and goals of terrorists is crucial for

developing effective counterterrorism strategies.
EXTREMISM & TERRORISM.
EXTREMISM is a set of beliefs that are far outside the mainstream. These beliefs can be
political, religious, or social. Someone who holds extremist views may be very passionate
about their cause, but they don't necessarily resort to violence

Terrorism is the use of violence or threats of violence to achieve political or social goals.
Terrorists target civilians to spread fear and intimidation. Extremism can be a breeding
ground for terrorism, but not all extremists become terrorists
 NOTABLE TERRORIST GROUPS ACROSS THE IDEOLOGICAL
SPECTRUM, HIGHLIGHTING THEIR CORE BELIEFS AND ACTIVITIES
 NOTABLE TERRORIST GROUPS ACROSS THE IDEOLOGICAL
SPECTRUM, HIGHLIGHTING THEIR CORE BELIEFS AND ACTIVITIES
 NOTABLE TERRORIST GROUPS ACROSS THE IDEOLOGICAL
SPECTRUM, HIGHLIGHTING THEIR CORE BELIEFS AND ACTIVITIES
 NOTABLE TERRORIST GROUPS ACROSS THE IDEOLOGICAL
SPECTRUM, HIGHLIGHTING THEIR CORE BELIEFS AND ACTIVITIES
Anders Behring Breivik is a Norwegian far-right extremist and mass murderer. He's best known for committing the 2011
vocabulary
Norway attacks on July 22nd. Here's a summary of his actions and some ongoing issues:

The Attacks:

Breivik detonated a van bomb in Oslo's government district, killing eight people.
He then traveled by ferry to Utøya island, where he carried out a mass shooting at a Workers' Youth League summer camp.
Sixty-nine people, mostly teenagers, were killed.
Motivations and Ideology:

Breivik adheres to a racist and Islamophobic ideology. He claims he was on a mission to stop "multiculturalism" and the
"Islamization of Europe."
He wrote a lengthy manifesto outlining his extremist views.
Legal Proceedings and Current Situation:

Breivik was found guilty of terrorism and murder and sentenced to 21 years' imprisonment, the maximum penalty in Norway
at the time. The sentence can be extended if he's deemed a continued threat.
He has repeatedly sought parole but has been denied.
In 2022, he argued in court that his prison isolation violated his human rights. The court ruled against him.
Breivik's case is significant for several reasons:

It raises questions about balancing security and human rights in the treatment of terrorists.
It highlights the dangers of far-right extremism and online radicalization.
It serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of terrorism on individuals, families, and communities.
Theodore "Ted" Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber, was an American mathematician and domestic terrorist. Here's a closer look at his life and crimes:

Brilliant Mind, Troubled Path:

vocabulary
Kaczynski was a child prodigy in mathematics, attending Harvard University at a young age.
He became a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, but resigned in 1969 to pursue a simple life off the grid.
He retreated to a remote cabin in Montana with strong anti-technology views.
The Unabomber Manifesto and Mail Bomb Campaign:

Kaczynski believed that technology was destroying nature and human freedom.
Between 1978 and 1995, he mailed or delivered 16 bombs targeting universities, airlines, and individuals he associated with technology advancement.
Three people were killed and 23 were injured in his attacks.
He wrote a 35,000-word manifesto, "Industrial Society and Its Future," outlining his anti-technology ideology.
Capture and Aftermath:

Kaczynski's brother, David, recognized the ideas in the manifesto published by the FBI and turned him in.
Kaczynski was arrested in 1996 and pleaded guilty to the bombings in exchange for a life sentence without parole.
He died in prison in 2023.
Lasting Impact:

The Unabomber case remains a chilling example of domestic terrorism fueled by ideology.
Kaczynski's manifesto continues to be debated by extremists and social critics.
The case raises questions about the balance between technological progress and its potential downsides.
Important to Note:

Kaczynski's violence cannot be justified by his ideology.

His crimes caused immense suffering to victims and their families.
Ramzi Yousef was a convicted terrorist responsible for some of the most dangerous plots of the 1990s. Here's a breakdown of his key actions
and ideological influences: vocabulary
A Ruthless Extremist:

Yousef, born in Kuwait to Pakistani and Palestinian parents, was a key figure in several major terrorist attacks.
He's believed to be behind the 1993 World Trade Center bombing that killed six people and injured over 1,000.
Yousef was also involved in the Bojinka plot, a plan to bomb multiple passenger airliners over the Pacific Ocean in 1995, which was
fortunately thwarted.
Motivations and Ideology:

Yousef is believed to have been motivated by a radical Islamist ideology. He aimed to strike at the US and other symbols of Western power.
Some sources claim he may have had ties to Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, his nephew and another notorious terrorist.
The exact details of his ideology are not fully public, but it likely involved a combination of anti-Western sentiment, religious extremism, and
a desire to inflict mass casualties.
Capture and Repercussions:

Yousef was apprehended in Pakistan in 1995 while attempting to make a bomb.

He was extradited to the US, convicted on multiple terrorism charges, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Legacy of Terror:

Yousef's actions serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of Islamist extremism and the devastating impact of terrorism.
His plots, especially the Bojinka plan, foreshadowed the tactics used in the September 11th attacks in 2001.
Understanding Yousef's motivations and the broader context of Islamist terrorism is crucial for preventing future attacks.
 COMMONLY STATED ACTIVITIES OF TERRORISM, KEEPING IN MIND THAT TERRORISM IS A
vocabulary
COMPLEX PHENOMENON AND THESE ACTIVITIES CAN SOMETIMES OVERLAP :

 Violent attacks: This encompasses a large range of actions including bombings,

shootings, assassinations, kidnappings, hostage takings, and hijackings. These attacks
are designed to cause fear and panic within a population.

 Targeted killings: Terrorists may target specific individuals like government officials,
religious leaders, journalists, or civilians they perceive as enemies of their cause.

 Infrastructure attacks: Power grids, transportation systems, communication networks,

and other critical infrastructure can be targeted to cripple a nation's economy or
disrupt daily life.
 COMMONLY STATED ACTIVITIES OF TERRORISM, KEEPING IN MIND THAT TERRORISM IS A COMPLEX
vocabulary
PHENOMENON AND THESE ACTIVITIES CAN SOMETIMES OVERLAP:

Chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) attacks: These are the most horrific forms of terrorism,
aiming to cause mass casualties and widespread fear through the use of chemical, biological, radiological, or
nuclear weapons. Thankfully, such large-scale attacks are rare.

Cyberterrorism: Disrupting critical infrastructure, stealing sensitive data, or causing economic damage through
cyberattacks are all potential methods used by terrorists.

Threats and intimidation: Spreading fear through threats of violence, hate speech, or online propaganda can be a
tactic to manipulate a population or coerce a government.

It's important to remember that not all violence is terrorism. Here are some key distinctions:

Warfare: Targets legitimate military objectives and follows the rules of armed conflict.

Criminal activity: Motivated by personal gain or criminal enterprise, not a political or ideological agenda.

Self-defense: Using violence in response to an immediate threat.

 The Political Violence Matrix.
The Political Violence Matrix is a helpful tool to understand the differences between terrorism and other
forms of violence. It emphasizes the targeting of civilians and the underlying motivations behind the
violence.

Targets: On one axis, you have "State Actors" (governments, military) and "Civilians" (regular people).
Motivations: The other axis has "Political Goals" (changing government, influencing policy) and "Personal
Gain" (money, revenge).
Combatants, Noncombatants, and
the Use of Force

 Combatants:

 Authorized to use force in an armed conflict.

 Can be targeted by the enemy.
 Examples: Soldiers in uniform, military fighters
carrying arms
Combatants, Noncombatants, and the Use
of Force
 Noncombatants:

o Civilians who are not directly participating in hostilities.

o Generally protected from deliberate attacks.

o Examples: Ordinary citizens, medical personnel, and journalists

not embedded with military forces.
Combatants, Noncombatants, and the Use
of Force
 The Use of Force:

 International law, specifically the Geneva Conventions and their

Additional Protocols, governs the use of force in armed conflict.
 The principle of distinction is crucial: Force can only be used against
legitimate military targets, which are combatants and military objectives.
 Proportionality is another key principle: The force used must be
proportional to the military advantage anticipated.
 Combatants, Noncombatants, and
the Use of Force

 Additional Considerations:

 There are situations where the line between combatant and

noncombatant can be blurred.
 Civilians who directly participate in hostilities (e.g., taking up arms
against an enemy) lose their protected status.
 Espionage or sabotage by civilians can also complicate their
classification.
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