4 responses

A good response to others is not something like "I agree." Please find something that you can analyze, add to, critique, explain, disagree with, or something. It should be a few cogent sentences. It should contain something that shows your knowledge of the subject, as well as additional materials you might bring from the web and elsewhere. Apply relevant professional, personal, or other real-world experiences. Supports position with applicable knowledge

You should create substantial responses to your peers. Think of this as your opportunity to teach. Create substantial responses which expand on a point and present information on the topic. Your responses should demonstrate your critical thinking on the topic.

Respond to the following discussions (4X). Write how you would respond to their discussions. (No word count.) Be thoughtful and insightful and it must demonstrate critical thinking and analysis.

Read the following and respond

1. There are several technologies that can be utilized to covertly monitor and combat terrorism.  Government organizations routinely use these devices in anti-terrorism measures.  In some instances government organizations use these technologies in ways that are considered unethical.  This is largely attributed to the fact that these technologies can be employed in a nearly undetectable manner. One historical example of this surveillance conducted by organizations is the FBI’s employment of a system titled Carnivore.  This surveillance measure allowed for government agencies to employ Carnivore without a warrant or prior court approval.  The information gathered was able to be extracted through Internet Service Providers (ISP) and their cooperation.

From a legal standpoint, it is certainly possible to regulate the employment of these technologies.  However, in a technical aspect it may be difficult to stop entities from utilizing the technology at their disposal.  Furthermore, this subject falls closely in-line with the PATRIOT and Freedom Act discussion from last week.  There are benefits that come from allowing law-enforcement agents unrestricted access to one’s data.  However, it is my personal belief that this is a violation of policy.  I believe that agencies should have to go through the appropriate due process in order to obtain information from an individual and/or their electronic devices or data.

2. One of the most influential military forms of technology used with modern counterterrorist operations involves the use of unmanned drones.  In 2013, it was reported that 95 percent of targeted strikes after September 11 were carried out by drones.  These strategic strikes have collectively resulted in over 11,000 deaths within the past 15 years ago (BIJ, 2018).  Although there is much controversy over the use of drones, there is a systemic process for approval of attacks that is protected under the Use of Military Force Act.  Use of military drones is managed by Joint Special Operations Command, and under this command drone attacks are planned through covert, advanced intelligence technology.  After a drone mission is prepared, attacks are approved by senior CIA and White House officials that have clearance to make these decisions. 

Contrary to belief, drone attacks are heavily regulated, and throughout growing controversy the federal government has become more open with the legal justification for individual attacks after they occur.  The Use of Military Force Act justifies U.S. action to use any necessary force against nations/organizations that harbor terrorists, but in most cases the United States has some sort of security agreement that keeps foreign governments somewhat informed of strikes.  However, countries commonly associated with drone attacks are often notorious for instability and corruption, which makes information exchange more difficult because the trust is not existent.  Countries like Pakistan have a relationship with the U.S. but are also notorious for harboring terrorist organizations and/or providing safe haven for leaders of terrorist groups.  The U.S. should at least attempt to share intelligence information with foreign governments, but if this relationship compromises mission success or places American lives at risk I personally think that secrecy is completely justified.

3. Successful government-based counterterrorism efforts are ones that seek to neutralize terrorism which, does not necessarily involve killing the terrorists. Governments must prevent/mitigate future attacks and build resilience to minimize the effects if an attack does take place. Further, weaken terrorist groups political power and financial strength are important. Policy is important to counterterrorism and should be used to affirm that government will support all lawful means to prevent terrorism and bring to justice any terrorists. However, policymakers can do little, if anything, to reduce the fear of terrorism-if people want to be afraid, nothing will stop them. Deterrence also plays a key role in counterterrorism. The military is not always a key to success in counterterrorism, and may even fail in counterterror strategy however, their utility and symbolic value are clearly evident (Cohen, 2001). International law enforcement, intelligence, and legal cooperation have proved to be a formidable strategy against terrorism. In fact, evidence has shown that international cooperative efforts among law enforcement and intelligence agencies point to greater counterterror effectiveness than military assets, alone (Finn, 2002). Law Enforcement has proven itself through efforts such as fusion centers. These centers take an all-crimes, all-hazards approach to intelligence collection, information-sharing and analysis. They help formalize information exchange among law enforcement agencies and federal agencies giving the benefit of greater access to information (RAND, 2010). For example, law enforcement’s focus on counterterrorism and homeland security has promoted the use of technology that provides a means to identify the nexus between different types of criminal activity and potential terrorist-related activity (RAND, 2010). Through cooperation the international community should take the necessary steps to enhance relationships in order to prevent and combat terrorism.

4. This is a very good question, I would have to suggest minding our own business and not running around manipulating other countries elections or helping to topple the current forms of government in order to establish a different one that is more conducive to our needs would be a good start that isn’t really an option though soooooo, in psychological operations. “The psychological dimensions of terrorism must be understood, evaluated, and used in countering terrorism. This study suggests that psychological operations, as nonlethal military operations, can be used to influence individuals not to join terrorist organizations and to facilitate defections from terrorist organizations” (Mehmet Fevzi Dortbudak, December 08) I think we can all agree that if psyops are successful in stopping people from joining a terrorist group in the first place than that is the most effective method of stopping terrorism. Not only can the use of psyops help stop people from joining but effectively using these tactics we can help in thinning the ranks by encouraging people to defect and hopefully gain some valuable intelligence in the process. The only other example listed that comes close would be policy-driven and to me that means that we put policies in place to stop American from interfering in other countries political systems