Andrew Langstaff
Liberty University
HLSC 610 Understanding Terrorism and Homeland Security
Discussion Board 8
Professor Richards
Do you see terrorism in the future such as less, more, or about the same? More violent, less
violent, more organized, less organized, etc.? Explain your thoughts.
The world will see more sophisticated, organized violent terrorist attacks that will occur
more frequent. With the use of the article “The Future of Terrorism: The Practitioners’ View” by
James Howcroft, three main areas of focus will encourage terrorism evolution and the theory that
attacks will occur more frequent and be more sophisticated, organized, and violent. The three
areas of focus contributing to this theory are 1. Motivations; 2. Tactics, weapons and technology;
and lastly 3. Targets. Terrorist organizations will always exploit economic and social disparities
to recruit individuals. These individuals are normally frustrated with their current state and
motivated for change. With the use of new weapons and technology, tactics will change. For
instance, with the use of drones, self-driving cars and trucks will expand the threat of terrorist
attacks. Cyber attacks will only become more frequent with the advancements in technology.
Lastly, targets such as transportation or where large numbers of civilians gather increase the
likelihood of an attack. History has already seen attacks on airports, trains, ferries, and even use
of planes to carry out attacks. As well as other soft targets such as festivals, sporting events, and
tourist attractions. The more recent are attacks carried out by children, at schools, when schools
are considered a safe place, but there have been all these school shootings in the world. For
wherever there is opportunity for a terrorist attack, terrorists will be motivated to carry it out.
Do you think terrorists would use WMD (CBRNE) if they could? Why or why not? What
do you think would be their WMD of choice?
If terrorists can acquire WMD’s I do believe that they will employ them, for terrorist
attacks are violent, the aim is to inflict as much destruction and as many casualties as possible,
and to disrupt society by causing mass chaos and fear. Using the articles, “WMD Terrorism: The
Once and Future Threat” by Gary Ackerman and Michelle Jacome and “Homeland Insecurity:
Thinking About CBRN Terrorism” for sources in answering the question of what WMD would
terrorists use? If a terrorist organization had access to chemical, biological, radiological and
nuclear devices I can’t really think of one that the organization would prefer over the other. Each
specific device will cause chaos and fear in society. Each one will inflict mass casualties, just a
matter of time for several of the devices. But if I were to pick one, the radiological and nuclear
device would be my choice for the reason that the use of a dirty bomb would result in political,
social, health, environmental, and economic effects. Destruction and casualties would be easily
in the tens of thousands almost immediately if deployed in a city and more due to contamination.
Fear of contamination or another bomb would cause civil unrest. Cleanup efforts would be costly
and time-consuming.
Did this course cause you to change your mind or opinion about anything related to
homeland security? What was it? Why or why not? Maybe something was reinforced. If
so, explain. What was the most important thing you learned in this course and why?
I wouldn’t say that my mind or opinion has changed about homeland security. If anything,
the importance of homeland security was reinforced because of this class. Through the use of the
textbook and completion of weekly assignments my understanding and knowledge of homeland
security has expanded dramatically. The structure that is in place to prevent, respond and recover
from terrorist activities is probably one of most important things I’ve learned. Or that being
prepared doesn’t actually mean you’re prepared in regard to terrorism. Terrorism is always
changing, and we must change with it, adapt and learn from past mistakes.
Luke 12:4, “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have
nothing more that they can do.”
References
Ackerman, G., & Jacome, M. (2018). WMD terrorism: The once and future threat. Prism: A
Journal of the Center for Complex Operations, 7(3), 22-36. Retrieved from
http://ezproxy.liberty.eu/login?url=https://search-proquest- com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/
docview/2059594622?accountid=12085
Homeland Insecurity: Thinking About CBRN Terrorism. (2015, January 1). Retrieved from
https://www.hsaj.org/articles/78.
Howcroft, J. (2018). The future of terrorism: The practitioners' view. Connections: The
Quarterly Journal, 17(2), 77-81. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.11610/
Connections.17.2.06.
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