An Examination of Terrorism Paper.docx.pdf

An Examination of Terrorism

Adam Richards

Helms School of Government, Liberty University

HLSC 610-B02 LUO

Dr. Melvin Richards

Introduction

Perhaps nothing more in contemporary times has shaped the international climate in

terms of homeland security, for any nation that is, than terrorism. Terrorism is not a new

phenomenon. Over the century’s terrorism has morphed and evolved with the times to the

present day where the consequences of such acts are more costly than ever. Terrorism has many

serve as a good foundation for the study.

Definitional Analysis and Causes Behind Terrorism

McEntire (2019, pg. 32) notes, “There are literally hundreds of definitions of terrorism,

but little agreement on a single concept that captures the essence of what the term actually

means.” McEntire also continues that the difficulty in narrowing down an authoritative

definition on terrorism comes for the term being, “emotionally charged and laden with value

judgement.” Martin (2003, pg. 22) also adds, “One person’s terrorist is another person’s freedom

fighter,” highlighting the difficulty and complexity in defining terrorism into one condensed but

thorough definition. Highlighting some of the federal agency’s definitions of terrorism from the

United States of America will illuminate the essentials of terrorism, showing similarities and

politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by sub-national groups

or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience.” The Department of Defense

(JP 3-07.2, 2010) mentions terrorism as, “The calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of

unlawful to inoculate fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the

pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological.” The FBI (2021) notes

Any activity that (i) involves an act that (a) is dangerous to human life or potentially

destructive of critical infrastructure or key resources; and (b) is a violation of the

criminal laws of United States or of any State or other subdivision of the United States;

and (ii) appears to be intended (a) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (b) to

influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or (c) to affect the

conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping.”

In the above definitions it is easily seen that terrorism involves the use or threat of

violence and is the common denominator in all definitions of terrorism. It can also be seen that

terrorism sets out to achieve a goal or to perpetuate one’s ideology. The differing definitions also

put the spin of their agency’s scope on the definition. For instance, the FBI mentions the crime

sometimes takes on. No one definition is wrong per say, and becoming knowledgeable with

many different definitions of terrorism is beneficial to grasp the full picture of terrorism.

Terrorism is a crime; it can be both domestic and international. To conclude, terrorism at its most

basic form can be understood as, “the threat or use of violence for ideological purposes.”

(McEntire, 2019, pg.2). This broad definition succinctly encompasses the multifaceted nature of

themselves carrying out terror as revenge, such as seen in the Middle-East with the Israel-

Palestine conflict. Poverty situations lead some to resort to terrorism for change socially,

culturally, and politically. Political short comings perceived by a group or individual, such as a

government’s failure to provide for the well-being of the populous, have been seen to contribute

to people participating in terroristic activities. Lastly, political ideologies such as one’s vision for

a political utopia, or to protect liberties they see being infringed upon, like one’s rights to bear

arms. All these examples contribute and seem to be some of the main factors in why terrorism is

an avenue for some (McEntire, 2019, pg. 48-60).

Typologies of Terrorism

McEntire (2019) says, “In spite of common features, terrorism may take on unique forms

understanding on the issue in conjunction with the differing definitions previously mentioned.

Feliks Gross (1990, pg. 8) holds that terrorism manifests itself in five different types: mass

terror, dynastic assassination, random terror, focused terror, and tactical terror.

Mass terror deals with state-sponsored terrorism in which the government in power is

behind the terroristic activities on its own citizens, and even by proxy beyond its own borders.

McVeigh’s bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City is an example of tactical terror.

While these five examples of terrorism types do not exclude other potential types of terrorism,

they educate people on the chameleon like nature of how terrorism is carried out. Understanding

the different types of terrorism in unison with different definitions of terrorism broadens the

horizon on understanding terrorism in depth.

McEntire (2019) states that the word “terrorism” does not appear until the time of the

enlightenment but acts of terror go back way farther. Combs (2000) states that acts of violence

carried out for ideological reasons, go back as far to the Roman and Green Republics. In

Aristotle’s writing he justified dynastic assassinations if the rulers of the time were not

can be muddied and hard to distinguish from one another, especially when dealing with different

perspectives. For example, when the Prophet Mohammed carried out his military conquests of

the Arabian Peninsula, more specifically Mecca and Medina, he and his adherents thought they

were justified in their waging of war against the polytheists, Christians, and Jews. Qureshi

(2016) speaks of different examples in which it is stated that the Jews were completely unarmed

which ideological acts of violence have been carried out for “just” reasons. For instance, the act

of the Boston Tea Party, in which colonists dumped tea into the Boston Harbor in protest of the

British. The revolution itself could be seen as acts of terror depending on your side and

perspective. As for the French Revolution, state sponsored terrorism was carried out in what is

known as the Reign of Terror in which France’s Committee of Public Safety killed over 20,000.

Another example, The Guy Fawkes gunpowder plot, in which Fawkes set out to blow up the

Palace of Westminster to reinstall the Pope as the authority over England is one the more famous

terroristic operations from antiquity that sheds some light on the nature of terrorism historically

as well (McEntire, 2019). In the 20th century terrorism has become more widespread, drastic,

violent, and nuanced. The rise of radical Islam and Jihadism has come to the forefront

biggest changes in terrorism seen is lone wolf actors and the inclusion of citizens into the acts.

Those committing acts of terror cast civilians as collateral damage and some even deliberately

target them. That being said, a look and overview into terrorist methodologies and tactics will

serve nicely in exploring the depths of terrorism.

terroristic activities is the overarching objective and being acquainted with the enemy and their

tactics is critical in achieving this objective.

Terrorists use a vast array of different tactics and behaviors to conduct their illegal

activities. Structurally, terrorist organizations do everything a well-functioning business would

have to do, including acquiring financings, training new recruits, planning attacks,

communicating, acquiring weapons, and seeking bases of operations. Terrorists acquire

financing in a variety of different ways. Human-trafficking, drug trafficking, acquiring funds

from governmental regimes, and even through donation campaigns are all ways terrorists acquire

funds. They train new recruits for obvious reasons. Recruits are trained to handle administrative

purposes in order to deal with the day-to-day logistics of running a terrorist organization. They

planning and communications to carry out their objectives. The September 11th attacks were well

orchestrated and planned out over many years in order to achieve the violent ends they set out to.

Without the tedious planning for such attacks such as the Oklahoma City bombing, the Pulse

night club shooting, Virginia Tech shooting, or any terrorist attack for that matter would not have

been carried out in the manner those wished to do so. For this reason, ample time is given to

want out into the public for consumption. Terrorist organizations also make use of different

recruiting tactics, through calls of obedience to religious doctrines, targeting disgruntled people

groups because of poverty or poor living conditions, and targeting those who kindled a hatred for

a nation or people group. Being that terrorists are usually behind in numbers in comparison to

nation’s militaries and criminal justice organizations, they have to make up for their lack of

numbers and resources at times. One common tactic they use to do this is known as force

multiplication. White (2017) states that force multiplication is defined as, “A method of

increasing striking power without increasing the number of combat troops in a military

unit.” Terrorist’s use religious fanaticism, the media, chemical weapons, and weapons of mass

destruction as force multipliers in their terrorist acts. In other words, the use certain means to

multipliers they take advantage of. As the drama plays out on radio, television, and in news

cycles, the public at large is pulled into the unfolding drama which in turn pressures governments

to cater to the demands of the terrorists (McEntire, 2019).

As for their behavior, they try to stay discrete in doing the aforementioned. If their plans

were public, obviously world governments and militaries would squabble their efforts. This goes

identify it as such. It is easily noticeable. Though it is easily noticeable, it is highly complex and

fluid in how it adapts and carries out its goals. Being able to define terrorism is imperative in

understanding the brevity of terrorism. As well with any subject matter, acquainting oneself with

the history of terrorism compliments one’s understanding at the nature and essentials of it.

Lastly, by researching and examining how terrorists and their organizations work structurally,

tactically and behaviorally is critical in understanding terrorism as a whole. David tells us in

Psalms 34:14, “Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.” By understanding

terrorism, we can carry out this decree from Scripture, as the crux of understanding terrorism