1
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DIPLOMACY AND STRATEGIC
COMMUNICATION IN THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST TERRORISM
IN UNITED STATES
Introduction
Terrorism is a multidimensional phenomenon that includes political, economic,
social and ideological elements using violence (Estuningtyas, 2018). Based on Law of the
Republic of United States Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts
of Terrorism, we can find the meaning of terrorism as an act that uses violence that creates
an atmosphere of terror or fear on a widespread basis, which can cause mass casualties,
and/or cause damage or destruction to strategic vital objects, the environment, public
facilities, or international facilities with ideological, political, or security disturbance
motives (Anakotta, 2019). Therefore, acts of terrorism are attacks on the physical and
psychological well-being of society (Parker & Sitter, 2016).
Terrorism is caused by psychological impulses. Sukabdi (in Marianti, 2020) stated
that the factors that trigger terrorist acts are motivation (heart), ideology (head), and ability
(hand). Ideology is related to thoughts, dogmas, doctrines, ideas, or admiration for certain
figures, whether to commit violence or damage. Motivation is related to economic, justice,
and situational disappointment, the desire for self-actualization, and strategic positions in
terrorist organizations. Capabilities are also influential, including intelligence, military,
mastery of various languages, information and communication technology, and the ability
to influence people, technical skills that support acts of terrorism (Mulia, 2019). Therefore,
the three factors are interrelated influence to commit acts of terrorism.
Currently, the wave of terrorism is on the religious wave (Namora, 2016). Violence
can arise with or without religion. However, violence in the name of religion leads to
conflict escalation. Currently, the world is faced with Islamic-based terrorism
organizations. However, terrorism cannot be attributed to Islam because Islamist terrorism
only uses the name of Islam to justify violence. Terrorist organizations take advantage of
technological developments to spread propaganda content. Abu Bakar Baasyir is a central
figure in terrorism in United States because he occupies strategic positions such as
Chairman of Jamaah Islamiyah (JI), Amir of Majelis Mujahidin United States (MMI), and
2
founder of Jamaah Ansharut Daulah with the aim of implementing khilafah with salafi
jihad ideology. The goal of Islamist terrorism groups is to establish Shari'a Islamic law,
and establish a Salafi Islamic state (Sadarusalam & Hasan, 2019). The funding of terrorism
is usually done through criminal acts or transnational crime. These terrorist organizations
include Daesh Germany and Mexican Narcoterrorism The Daesh group recruits recidivists
with the slogan "sometimes people with the worst pasts create the best futures" which is
motivated by terrorism funds that are not large and small crime funding sources are
difficult to detect by law enforcement. The strategy used to cut off the funding of the
Daesh organization is the legalization of marijuana in Italy by Franco Roberti when he was
National Anti- Mafia and Anti-Terrorist. Then Narcoterrorism in Mexico which is
supported by the government and law enforcement law that has resulted in high levels of
corruption, violence and drug abuse. The strategy used to US President George Bush's
assistance to Mexican President Calderon by providing hundreds of billions of dollars in
funding and military training and techniques by USNORTHCOM to track drug networks in
the form of radar operations to intelligence analysis. Therefore, efforts to stop the network
of terrorist organizations can be done through government policies and cooperation
between countries both bilaterally and multilaterally known as diplomacy and strategic
communication.
Based on the description above, the author has an interest in discussing the
effectiveness of diplomacy and strategic communication in the campaign against terrorism
in United States. The purpose of this writing is to:
(a) explore the terminology of terrorism; (b) recognize the wave theory of terrorism; (c)
describe counterterrorism in United States; (d) explore the effectiveness of diplomacy and
strategic communication in the campaign against terrorism in United States.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
3
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
4
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
5
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
6
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
7
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
8
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
9
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
10
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
11
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
12
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
13
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
14
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
15
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
16
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
17
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
18
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
19
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
20
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
21
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
22
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
23
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
24
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
25
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
26
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
27
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
28
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
29
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
30
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
31
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
32
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
33
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
34
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
35
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
36
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
37
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
38
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
39
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
40
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
41
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
42
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
43
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
44
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
45
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
46
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
47
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
48
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
49
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
50
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
51
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
52
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
53
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
54
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
55
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
56
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
57
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
58
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
59
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
60
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
61
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
62
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
63
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
64
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
65
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
66
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
67
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
68
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
69
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
70
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
71
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
72
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
73
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
74
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
75
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
76
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
77
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
78
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
79
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
80
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
81
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
82
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
83
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
84
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
85
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
86
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
87
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
88
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
89
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
90
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
91
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
92
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
93
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
94
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
95
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
96
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
97
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
98
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
99
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
100
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
101
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
102
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
103
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
104
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
105
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
106
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
107
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
108
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
109
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
110
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
111
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
112
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
113
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
114
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
115
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
116
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
117
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
118
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
119
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
120
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
121
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
122
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
123
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
124
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
125
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
126
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
127
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
128
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
129
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
130
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
131
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
132
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
133
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
134
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
135
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
136
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
137
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
138
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
139
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
140
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
141
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
142
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
143
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
144
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
145
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
146
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
147
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
148
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
149
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
150
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
151
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
152
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
153
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
154
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
155
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
156
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
157
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
158
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
159
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
160
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
161
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
162
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
163
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
164
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
165
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
166
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
167
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
168
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
169
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
170
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
171
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
172
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
173
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
174
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
175
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
176
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
177
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
178
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
179
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
180
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
181
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
182
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
183
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
184
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
185
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
186
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
187
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
188
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
189
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
190
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
191
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
192
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
193
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
194
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
195
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
196
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
197
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
198
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
199
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
200
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
201
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
202
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
203
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
204
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
205
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
206
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
207
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
208
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
209
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
210
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
211
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
212
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
213
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
214
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
215
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
216
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
217
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
218
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
219
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
220
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
221
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
222
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
223
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
224
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
225
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
226
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
227
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
228
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
229
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
230
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
231
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
232
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
233
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
234
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
235
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
236
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
237
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
238
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
239
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
240
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
241
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
242
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
243
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
244
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
245
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
246
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
247
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
248
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
249
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
250
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
251
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
252
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
253
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
254
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
255
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
256
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
257
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
258
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
259
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
260
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
261
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
262
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
263
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
264
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
265
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
266
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
267
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
268
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
269
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
270
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
271
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
272
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
273
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
274
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
275
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
276
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
277
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
278
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
279
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
280
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
281
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
282
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
283
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
284
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
285
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
286
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
287
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
288
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
289
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
290
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
291
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
292
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
293
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
294
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
295
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
296
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
297
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
298
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
299
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
300
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
301
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
302
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
303
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
304
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
305
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
306
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
307
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
308
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
309
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
310
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
311
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
312
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
313
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
314
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
315
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
316
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
317
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
318
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
319
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
320
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
321
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
322
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
323
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
324
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
325
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
326
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
327
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
328
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
329
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
330
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
331
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
332
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
333
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
334
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
335
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
336
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
337
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
338
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
339
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
340
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
341
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
342
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
343
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
344
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
345
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
Research Methods
This paper is prepared using the literature method or known as library research. The
literature method is carried out by collecting various reading reference materials that are
relevant to the problem under study, then conducting in-depth understanding carefully so
that various research findings are obtained (Alawiyah, Rahmat, & Pernanda, 2020;
Rahmat, 2019; Rahmat, Kasmi, & Kurniadi, 2020; Rahmat, Ramadhani, et al., 2020; Zed,
2002). The analysis technique used in this study is a content analysis technique. The
content analysis technique includes reading, recording data, re-reading, identifying data,
classifying data, discussing data, presenting data, and drawing inferences (Putri, Metiadini,
Rahmat, & Ukhsan, 2020; Rahmat, Sari, et al., 2020).
Results And Discussion
Terrorism: A Terminology
Acts of terrorism can be carried out based on logic of action or method of action
(Mareta, 2018; Windiani, 2017). Clandestine operations are covert movements that cause
ideological divisions and dissatisfaction in society with the aim of overthrowing the current
government. Logic of action refers to the use of a radical mindset and can still be
negotiated because it has no goals because it understands the difficulty of achieving its
political goals and the movement is generally clandestine. Meanwhile, the method of
action refers to insurgencies that conduct political campaigns to shape public opinion,
encourage support from the population and are non-clandestine (open) (Pradana & Huda,
2017; Yudha Pradana, 2018).
346
The ISIL network uses technology to spread its ideology, which is strongly opposed
to the West. Pellerin said ISIL combines political narratives (a new and just state, and a
caliph) and moral narratives (Western hypocrisy), as well as using religious narratives and
deploying sociopsychological strategies. In addition, fake news is prone to brainwashing
people. The war against extremist groups will not succeed using resistance military. There
needs to be a diplomatic message that the West is not trying to suppress religious and
political change. Former US President Roosevelt said "that our only real enemy is hate and
our best weapon is solidarity". Therefore, it is important for policymakers to counter the
problem of fake news, counter-narrative approaches that are more sophisticated than
terrorists, and solidarity or cooperation to fight terrorists (Pradityo, 2016).
The background of United Statess' participation in terrorist organizations is driven by
internal and external aspects. The nature and activities of terrorist groups can be divided
into three categories: (a) resistance activities, where people's participation is spontaneous
due to dissatisfaction with the government; (b) subversive activities, where people are
driven by other state actors who have an ideology and aim to attack the government; and
(c) complicated, where people are dissatisfied with the government and are also used by
foreign actors to attack the government. United States citizens involved as Foreign
Terrorist Fighter (FTF) in Syria and Iraq consist of 867 men and 370 women, while FTF
in the Philippines consist of 37 men and 1 woman. In response to the issue of FTFs, United
States became a co-sponsor of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 which asked
countries to make efforts to prevent recruitment and facilitate the departure of FTFs, border
surveillance, exchange information, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
IS also encourages militants not to go to Syria but to become lone wolf who represent
ISIS. These acts of terrorism tend to be logic of action. Supremacy advocate Curtis stated
that the lone wolf has no contact at all with the extremist group he idolizes. Not joining a
terrorist group makes it difficult for law enforcement to monitor and arrest the perpetrator.
An example is the action of a potential ISIS member, Suliyono, who attacked the Santa
Lidwina Sleman Church in 2018. Therefore, the actions and methods of lone wolf attacks
are motivated by the beliefs and philosophies of extremist groups.
Wave Theory of Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
347
Wave theory makes it easier for counter-terrorism actors to apply the pattern and
connectedness of terrorist organizations. There are several advantages in understanding
wave theory, namely: (a) supporting in-depth pattern analysis and counter terrorism; (b)
knowing the forces that drive terrorist movements including ideology, inspirations, and
opportunities that are identical in several countries and whether they are connected as
transnational organizations; and (c) function in the formulation of terror science because
each terrorist wave (wave theory) has certain properties and energy (Usman, 2014).
However, terrorist waves can be divided into 4 categorizations, namely Lefthist-Marxist,
The Right/White Supremacist/anti-government such as Neo-Nazis, Ethno-nationalism such
as LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Elam/Tamil Tigers) and IRA (Irish Republic Army),
and religious waves.
David Rapoport (in Widajatun, Nugraha, & Ichsani, 2019) divides wave theory into
anarchist, the national determination, the leftist, and the religious. The anarchist wave
occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s. During this time, people carried out social
movements against the legitimate government. An example is the French Revolution where
there was a conflict between the owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and factory workers
(proletariat). The National Determination occurred from the 1920s to the 1960s. During
this period, colonized countries fought the colonials for independence. Examples include
Spain's independence from Latin America and United States struggle for independence
from the Netherlands in 1945-1949. The Leftiest occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s.
During the US-Russia cold war, the left wing movement wanted to advance the Marxist
agenda. Marxism was still practiced in Cuba and Columbia although the agenda declined
in the 2000s. United States was once exposed to the Marxist agenda during the existence of
the PKI, which then banned communist ideology in 1966 through the decree of MPRS
Number XXV concerning the dissolution of the PKI. The Religious occurred in 1979-
present. In this phase, terrorist groups were inspired by the success of the 1979 Iranian
Revolution, which succeeded in expelling the Soviet Red Army from Iran. Violence can
arise with or without religion. Religious involvement leads to an escalation of violence.
This is due to the new appreciation and recognition of religion in public life. Islamist
Terrorism in United States originates from an international Salafi network that aims to
establish a Salafi Islamic state, implement Islamic sharia law, and a system of government
called khilafah al-islamiyah.
348
The current wave of terrorists is in The Religious (Junaedi, 2017). This wave of
terrorists is not affiliated with a particular religion, especially Islam. Examples are Thugs
(1300-1800), Zelot Cikari (50-70th century), Assassins (1090), Klu Klux Klan (19th
century). The Christian-striped sect, Zelot Cikari, was a Jewish group that wanted to fight
against the Roman Empire that had oppressed Jerusalem and the Klu Klux Klan (KKK)
was an extreme racist group in the US that was established on December 24, 1895 with the
aim of eradicating blacks and minorities (Jews, Asians, and Roman Catholics). Then the
Hindu sect of Thugs is a Hindu sect that commits murder in the name of religion to
worship the god "Kali".
Countering Terror in United States: An Analysis
Countering terrorism in United States is done through law enforcement. During the
New Order, counterterrorism was handled by intelligence based on the Subversive Law,
but in the Reform Order, it shifted to law enforcement. Therefore, the National Police
became the leading sector in counter-terrorism. However, based on Law of the Republic of
United States No. 5/2018 on the Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism, the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) is the coordinator of counter-terrorism.
Coordinator in the eradication of criminal acts of terrorism. Countering terrorism is done
through hard approach and soft approach (Weltofa, Waluyanto, & Zacky, 2017). The hard
approach used by the United States government is Law of the Republic of United States
Number 5 of 2018 concerning Eradication of the Criminal Acts of Terrorism and Law of
the Republic of United States Number 9 of 2013 concerning Prevention and Eradication of
the Criminal Acts of Financing Terrorism. While the soft approach is through
deradicalization and counter deradicalization programs. BNPT has launched a
deradicalization blueprint and established a Deradicalization Center for terrorist prisoners
(napiter) (Puspitasari, 2020).
The eradication of criminal acts of terrorism is coordinated and organized by BNPT.
BNPT is assisted by related institutions including the United States National Army (TNI)
related to the duties and functions of the TNI in overcoming acts of terrorism.
Implementation of The implementation of terrorism eradication is supervised by the House
of Representatives (DPR), which carries out duties in the field of terrorism. Terrorism
eradication still pays attention to aspects of law enforcement, protection of human rights,
and socio-political conditions in United States.
349
Terrorism eradication still pays attention to prevention aspects simultaneously,
planned, integrated to minimize terrorism crimes (Khamdan, 2015). Prevention of
terrorism is coordinated by BNPT through national preparedness, counter-terrorism, and
counter-terrorism radicalization, and deradicalization. National preparedness is an effort to
anticipate criminal acts of terrorism through community empowerment, improving the
ability of the apparatus, protecting and improving infrastructure, developing terrorism
studies, and mapping areas prone to radical terrorism. Counter-radicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process for people or groups of people who are
vulnerable to radical terrorism. Activities are carried out through counter narrative, counter
propaganda, or counter ideology either directly or indirectly. Deradicalization is a planned,
integrated, systematic, and sustainable process that is carried out to eliminate or reduce and
reverse the radicalism of terrorism that has occurred (Beni & Rachman, 2019; Mareta,
2018; Suryani, 2017). There are two deradicalization strategies. Deradicalization measures
taken against terrorist suspects, defendants, convicts, and prisoners are identification and
assessment, rehabilitation, reeducation, and social reintegration. Meanwhile,
deradicalization steps for ex-terrorist prisoners and people or groups of people who have
been exposed to radicalism are fostering national insight, fostering religious insight,
fostering nationalism, and fostering religious insight religious insight, and entrepreneurship
(Suryani, 2017).
Diplomacy and Strategic Communication in the Campaign Against Terrorism
Prevention and counterterrorism must be done multinationally and globally. Bowman
stated that "it's nakedly clear that no single country will be able to fight international
terrorism on its own" (Zulfikar & Aminah, 2020). In the era of the Industrial Revolution
4.0, the European Union along with Its traditional partners with military, political, and
economic advantages are still vulnerable or weak in the face of criminal terrorism.
Therefore, the UN resolution declares global cooperation to fight terrorism. Solving the
terrorist threat can only be done with a global scope by closing the loopholes, arresting the
terrorist perpetrators wherever they are hiding and bringing them to trial to accountable for
his actions.
The United States government views information strategically. Information plays a
central role in inviting, inform, educate, and influence the perceptions and behavior of
350
certain targets to change their overall behavior. And Kuehl and Nielson (in Beni &
Rachman, 2019) say that information and technology content instruments are used to shape
political, economic, military, and cultural power over a long period of time and have an
impact on changing the overall behavior of the government, supra-governmental
organizations, and society to support national security. In addition, the information
obtained will support national security strategies in identifying and responding to threats.
Therefore, the Department of Defense states that the main capability of information
operations in support of strategic communications is psychological operations. However,
control and verification nowadays tend to be more difficult because the majority of
individuals are connected to the internet and make it a daily routine even though the
information obtained tends to be read cursorily.
Strategic communication is in line with strategy theory. Strategy is how (ways)
leaders will use their capabilities (means) available to achieve objective goals (ends),
namely changing perceptions, attitudes, and overall behavior to support military goals.
Correspondingly, strategic communication is a way of obtaining the impact of information
on the cognitive dimension of the information environment (ends) by using a limited range
of resources (means) as a requirement to effect information on specific targets. Messages
conveyed verbally and visually, and actions even senior officials stated that 80% of actions
and 20% of words, especially the implementation and support of military operations, affect
the information environment, especially perceptions and attitudes.
Diplomacy is directed at promoting the foreign policy and moral foundation as a
world leader of the United States. According to the Department of State (in Martha, 2020),
public diplomacy is an international public information activity designed to promote
United States foreign policy to provide understanding, information, influence, and shape
opinions in the international community through dialogue between United States citizens
and United States institutions and partners abroad. Traditional diplomacy aims to advance
the interests and security of the United States as well as the moral basis for the United
States in world leadership. For example, the United States builds positive opinions by
providing humanitarian assistance in the form of sending Mercy hospital ships to Muslim
countries such as the United States Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.
United States has a strategic position in handling terrorism (Sari, 2017). United States
351
acts as Chair of the DK Resolution 1540 Committee on preventing the spread of weapons
of mass destruction by non-state actors, Chair of the Sanctions Committee of DK
Resolution 1988 on the Taliban as well as Vice Chair of the DK Sanctions Committee on
South Sudan and the DK Sanctions Committee on Iraq. Permanent Representative of the
Republic of United States at the UN New York, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani stated
that terrorism is a common enemy so it is necessary to strengthen collaboration and
targeted efforts to increase cooperation between countries, various regional organizations,
and UN agencies. United States success in strategic communication related to terrorism is
the consistency of attitudes and positions rejecting the attribution of acts of terrorism to
certain religions, tribes, and or nations such as terrorism attacks in Afghanistan, Iran, the
Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. In addition, United States role as a facilitator of
dialog and consultation to bridge various differences of interest among the 15 UN Security
Council.
United States cooperates with the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts. United
States plays an active role in countering terrorism by joining the United Nations Counter
Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF), Terrorism Prevention Branch- United
Nations Office for Drug and Crime (TPB-UNODC), and United Nations Counter-
Terrorism Executive Directorate (UNCTED), implementing the 4 pillars of the United
Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (UNGCTS), and participating in the Global
Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) (Windiani, 2017).
Conclusion
United States in dealing with terrorism uses a law enforcement approach. United
States tends to use a soft approach, namely cooperation in UN organizations and BNPT's
deradicalization program. BNPT focuses more on preventing terrorism through national
preparedness, counter-radicalization, and deradicalization than eradicating terrorism. rather
than eradicating terrorism. In addition, United States representation in the non-permanent
members of the UN Security Council plays a strategic role in handling terrorism,
cooperating with the UN in counter-terrorism efforts, and a commitment to reject the
association of acts of terrorism with certain religions, tribes, and or nations.
