Michael Cullars
Liberty University
HLSC 530-B01 Homeland Security Capstone
Forum 3 Module 3: Current Issues in Homeland Security Quandaries-Terrorism
Professor James Carlino
Quandary 1:
Explain the Difference Between a State and Non-State Actor.
Unlike state actors, non-state actors are not bound by international laws. Non-state actors
are migratory. They move freely around the globe without restrictions. Non-state actors may use
political violence to influence certain actions which aligns with the motives and objectives.
Although state actors may use political violence against their own citizens to suppress uprisings,
they do so in a cautionary manner to avoid receiving backlash from other states. State actors are
subject to punishment from other states; especially if that state depends on another state for trade
and economic assistance. Non-state actors have no consideration towards people and or more
likely to commit unlimited acts of violence with no concern of the consequences that they may
face. State actors of terrorism are of a greater concern because of their ability to provide Non-
state actors the resources to conduct asymmetric operations. Iran, for instance, supports terrorist
groups (non-state actors) such as Hezbollah and Humas to carry out their interests. According to
Kilroy (2018), Hezbollah have been involved in kidnappings, bombings, hostage taking of
American citizens, government and military personnel. Additionally, Hezbollah has
metamorphized into a group which has established their imprints in the government affairs of
Lebanon. Despite their terroristic activities, Hezbollah participates in the political, social and
economic spectrums in Lebanese government as well as the electoral process (Kilroy, 2018).
Syria, another State actor which supports terrorism, is a strong advocate for Hezbollah.
President Assad has utilized other terrorist groups to attack other groups for opposing his
governance (Kilroy, 2018). The Syrian regime has targeted infrastructures such as civilian
hospitals and communities within their own territory, accumulating over tens of thousands of
fatalities through the use terrorist tactics. State actors such as Iran and Syria will not engage in
conventional warfare with a Superpower as the United States. However, they may utilize proxies
to attack American and European interests through non-state actors due to their belief systems
and/or for retaliation purposes for unwelcomed state-imposed sanctions for violating
international laws.
What Should Be Our Biggest Concern with Terrorism in General?
Terrorism will never go away. Combating radicalization is a big concern. According to
McEntire (2019), the socialization of children into terrorism is a challenging aspect to overcome
to deter the current and future generation from accepting and adapting to the attitudes, values,
and norms of supporters of terrorism. Advances in technologies, the media, and other platforms
have given state and non-state actors of terrorism the ability to operate clandestine, recruit,
spread misinformation, engage in criminal activities to finance operations, and to globalize their
networks. Throughout history, terrorism manifested itself through unique ways such as mass
terror, dynastic assassination, focused terror, random terror, and tactical terror (McEntire, 2019).
Terrorism comes in various forms which includes domestic, international, cyber, and
narcoterrorism (Schmalleger, 2019). In a law enforcement perspective, preventing and reducing
terrorist acts requires diligence, resources, and new laws which may limit individuals’ certain
constitutional rights (Schmalleger, 2019).
What Should Be Our Overarching Counterterrorism Policy?
Our over-aching terrorism policy should consist of an expansion of the federal role
through intergovernmental relations in emergency management which aligns with the
Department of Homeland Security counter-terrorism mission (Sylves, 2015). However, some
citizens within the United States and other nations reject the use of drones due to privacy
concerns and violation of sorveign airspace (McEntire, 2019).
Quandary 2:
How Should We Approach and Use Intelligence Regarding Counterterrorism
Efforts?
Our Government and those involve in intelligence collection should approach counter-
operations with the intent of neutralizing and/or reducing terrorist threats, acts, and loss of life.
The military, the FBI, and CIA are involved these efforts. Fusion centers also may assist
agencies such as the FBI in intelligence gathering. Currently, there are at least 78 fusions centers
operating within 49 states to collect and share information regarding terrorist and other criminal
activities (Schmalleger, 2019).
Are There Examples in the Bible Where Biblical Figures Used Intelligence Techniques in
Some Form or Capacity?
There are various instances in which Biblical characters utilize intelligence to make
important decisions. Noah for instance, sent out a raven and subsequently, a dove to surveil the
landscape after God flooded the earth with water. Noah determined it was safe to settle his
family and the animals on land once the dove returned with a leaf. As illustrated through
Biblical scripture, Genesis 8:11-12 states, “And the dove came back to him in the evening, and
behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So, Noah knew that the waters had
subsided from the earth. Then he waited another seven days and sent for the dove, and she did
not return to him anymore” (ESV). Joshua conducted covert operations by using human
intelligence to survey the Promise Land. Joshua 2:1 state “And Joshua the son of Nun sent two
men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, Go, view the land, especially Jericho. And they went
and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there.” Based on the
information provided by the spies, Joshua determined that the best course of action was to enter
the promise land along with his people and trust God’s promise of protection and security upon
entering the land.
References
Kilroy, R. J. (2018). Threats to homeland security: reassessing the all hazards perspective.
Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
McEntire, D. A. (2019). Introduction to homeland security: understanding terrorism prevention
and emergency management. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Schmalleger, F. (2019). Criminal justice today: an introductory text for the twenty-first century.
NY, NY: Pearson.
Sylves, R. T. (2015). Disaster Policy and Politics: Emergency Management and Homeland
Security. Los Angeles: Sage/CQ Press.
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