An Examination of Terrorism assignement.pdf

Examination of Terrorism 1

Abstract

The present paper briefly discusses the history of terrorism, analyzing how it has changed

throughout time. After discussing the history of terrorism, the issues concerning the definitions

of terrorism will be analyzed bringing to light the challenges that are held in this area. Terrorist

organization ideologies and types are then detailed showing the many obstacles that may be

faced in defining each specific area and how it may be difficult to properly manage these types of

terrorism. The evolution of the tactics and behaviors in terrorist organizations has changed

immensely and continue to evolve more so today due to the advancement of technology. The

paper continues with analyzing the methodologies, force multipliers, and structure used in the

Examination of Terrorism 2

An Examination of Terrorism

have been labeled terrorists by even our current government agencies. The founding fathers

pushed to secede the British’s overreach of power. They combatted this by pushing propaganda

and causing civil unrest in North America essentially committing domestic and international

terrorism. The War of 1812 could be viewed as a terrorist act is it was Britain’s step toward

holding onto more territory within the area to maintain power in the area (Final, n.d.). This goal

was their driving factor and caused the turmoil between the United States and Great Britain once

more. This form of international terrorism led to a war and forced the United States’ hand to

meet the British in battle (Final, n.d.). After this conflict the next notable act of terrorism would

take place during the period of the Civil War. The differing of ideals and values concerning

slavery in the United States would lead to the largest number of casualties in the United States

to the rise of Hitler and World War II. During this time, the United States would be hit by an

attack from Japan, targeting and bombing Pearl Harbor successfully, one of the most impactful

attacks on the nation. The terrorist attack in this time was meant to weaken and to attack the

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minds of the American people, and work to overtake their government making this a form of

international terrorism and political terrorism. The next assassination would be made against

another President, John F. Kennedy. This assassination’s origin was not clear, and neither was the

individual who planned or organized the assassination of the president, but many theories have

come to light and led many to believe that the mafia may have been behind the assassination. No

matter the culprit the reasoning behind the assassination seemed to be centered on the changes

that John f. Kennedy wished to enact (November, n.d.). The attacks would vary in size and effect

throughout history with assassinations to topple government organizations and executives or to

The definitional issues surrounding terrorism are concerning in deciding the jurisdiction,

punishment, and determining how to combat the growing threat of the differing types of

terrorism. According to the FBI, terrorism can be classified under two separate types, one being

international terrorism and the other being domestic terrorism. International terrorism is defined

as being deviant, violent acts done by individual parties or groups who can be inspired by or

associated with foreign terrorist organizations or state-sponsored nations (FBI, 2016). The other,

domestic terrorism is defined as the following, much like the international definition it also

pertains to more violent deviant acts. Additionally, this type commits terrorist actions by their

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ideological goals that may originate from domestic influences, such as social issues, political,

religious conflict, racial issues, or environmental nature (FBI, 2016).

Terrorism can be summed up into two types of categories, one being international and the

other domestic, but what groups could one expect to see in the individual categories. One of the

victims of their “war” (Types, 2021). Non-political terrorism is another type that can be seen in

both domestic and international terrorism. This type is typically fought in a similar manner as

political terrorism but may be for other reasons outside of political gain such as Islam vs.

Christianity. Quasi terrorism can be seen commonly when an individual decides to flee from the

police due to committing a criminal act and hurting others along the way or holding individuals

against their will to escape (Types, 2021). The final two separate groups are limited political

terrorism and the other state terrorism. Limited political terrorism has the goal to protest

government policy or action(s) with no intent on overthrowing the government entirely, this can

be found under the umbrella of both domestic and international terrorism (Types, 2021). State

terrorism is found primarily in the international sector since these acts would occur typically

between countries to achieve a particular goal (Types, 2021).

Tactics and Behaviors

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The use of the media and propaganda has evolved the tactics utilized by terrorists today.

(McEntire, 2018). In the 21st century it is common to find terrorist organizations using social

media platforms to extend their reach and improve its recruiting program essentially building

their organizations in a much quicker fashion. Additionally, due to the ever-changing world of

technology the methods of communication between organizations and executives are endless

essentially giving them some sense of security to transport, communicate, plan, and organize

resources more efficiently. Terrorists will receive sponsors from government organizations to

conduct international and even domestic terrorism to bring about civil unrest to the nation or

The methods used by terrorists have shifted throughout history with more dependence on

criminal cells now in comparison to the past of government funding or assistance from an

international organization. Additionally, the methods used for recruiting has shifted. Due to the

advancement in technology, it has opened many doors for terrorist organizations to spread their

ideologies and improve in their recruiting. Terrorist organizations utilize many psychological

means to encourage individuals to commit domestic terrorism or to join their organization by

giving those individuals a sense of belonging (Spataro, 2008). Another method terrorists will use

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is indoctrination into the organization (Spataro, 2008). To put it simply the terrorists, raise others

into terrorism to believe in their culture, belief, and ideals (Spataro, 2008).

Force multipliers consist of any type of resource where it would allow a smaller

organization to potentially confront, battle, or gain the upper hand over an organization that may

be of larger volume or with a greater military presence. These resources can consist of new or

improved tactics (unconventional warfare), psychology and propaganda designed to weaken

another organization or military power (Force, n.d.). Terrorists utilize many forms of force

States was hit with a cyber attack essentially shutting down the entire pipeline causing civil

unrest across the eastern border of the United States. The opportunity for cyberterrorism to occur

is becoming an increasingly dangerous field with the world being more dependent on technology

(Pipikaite, 2021). The availability of resources for terrorists is increasing and with the help of

technology even harder to track with the ability to encrypt messaging to remain undetected.

Terrorism today has evolved in many ways through history. The structure specifically has

changed from a hierarchy design and shifted to a much larger web of organizations

interconnected allowing for their reach to be extended around the world (McEntire, 2018).

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Terrorist organizations utilize media now to spread their ideology, inspiring others in the world

that may engage with them through social media platforms and using psychological tactics to

motivate the individual to commit terrorist acts in their own homeland. “Many terrorist groups

rely on crime to raise money, and some organizations that were founded on terrorist aspirations

now promote extortion for financial gain” (McEntire, 2018). The method in which the terrorist

organizations gain funding has shifted, these organizations now will sometimes rely on funding

from fundraisers and even corporate donations whereas they used to rely on government funding

to assist in pursuit of their mission (McEntire, 2018). The structure of terrorism will always be

Biblical Perspective

“By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil:

love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no

murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life

for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”

In the teaching of the Bible and specifically from Jesus, it is taught to the people that you shall

love one another and that it is the second greatest commandment. To love one another is to

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cherish each other and to protect one another. Terrorists may not be specifically mentioned but it

can be understood that to those that do not love their brother, or their neighbors, no matter their

distance or differences that they are “not of God”. Terrorists are to be understood from this

scripture to be seen as descendants or like minded of Cain. Proverbs 6 verses 16-19 states:

“There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty

eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked

plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one

who sows discord among brothers.”

shedding innocent blood and plotting to commit more deviant acts. The Bible makes it clear that

those that commit evil acts are not welcome in the kingdom of heaven that they do not love one

another and if they cannot love one another then how can they possibly love God.

Terrorist organizations have and will continue to evolve. The challenges that will come

around the world will be in defining the multiple types of terrorism and determining the

punishments and how to properly manage these acts especially when evaluating international

policies and jurisdictions. The methodologies and tactics utilized in terrorism continue to evolve

and become more advanced with the assistance of the advancement of technology. Individuals

can see the growing concern in cyber security by recent attacks and how much it can affect the

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anywhere at all, and it will bring larger issues to the table with the possibilities of their forces

growing immensely by the push to recruit through social media utilizing psychological methods

to bring individuals into their organization and indoctrinating them to their culture. The cause for

concern grows with every year, and every attack conducted. Unfortunately, the world seems to be

one step behind to combatting these organizations with them being extremely innovative, they

have managed to find new ways to commit old crimes with smaller chances of being caught. The

structure of these organizations allows them to maximize their flexibility around the world,

having an extremely large network of criminal cells giving the terrorists the resources to properly