Terrorism

“On September the 11th, enemies of freedom committed an act of war against our country… Either

you are with us or you are with the terrorists. ~ President George W. Bush, 20 Sep 2001

“…the American people should remain vigilant…. Those plotting against us seek not only to undermine our security, but also the open society and the values

that we cherish as Americans. ~ President Barack Obama, 28 Dec 2009

History Definitions Characteristics, Objectives, & Tactics US National Policy and Military Policy Future of Terrorism

Overview

Terrorism to achieve political agendas isn’t new Jewish dissidents opposed Roman rule (48 C.E.) Islamic sect called Hashshashin pursued

“righteous causes” Crusaders employed rape as terror tactic

Hassan-i Sabbah, Iranian missionary who founded

the Hashshashin

History

Since 1990s, religious fundamentalism emerged as primary force for terror

Weapons proliferation narrowed the gap between the firepower of the state and dissidents

History

Radical Shiite Muqtada al-Sadr

Walter Laqueur: “Terrorism constitutes the illegitimate use of force to achieve a

political objective when innocent people are targeted.”

Department of Defense: “The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence against

individuals or property to coerce or intimidate governments or societies, often to achieve political, religious, or ideological objectives.”

Definitions

Joint Pub. 3-07.2

The unlawful use of violence or threat of violence to instill fear and coerce governments or societies. Terrorism is often motivated by religious, political, or other ideological beliefs and committed in the pursuit of goals that are usually political.

- Joint Publication 3-07.2, Antiterrorism

Violence Political goal Psychological impact and fear Targeting of noncombatants

Key Criteria

Guerilla vs. TerrorismGuerilla vs. Terrorism

Targets Mostly military, police, or political opponents

State symbols, political opponents, and the public

at largeIntended Impact

Mainly physical attrition of the enemy

Psychological coercion

Tactics Commando-type operations

Specialized tactics: kidnapping, car bombs,

hijacking, etc.

International Legality

Yes, if follow rules of armed conduct

No

Guerilla Terrorism

Typologies of Terrorism

Political Force governments to change structure or

policies, or to achieve radical societal change

Religious Objectives/actions divinely guided; often

tied to ethnic and nationalist identities

Social “Special interest” (e.g., animal rights)

2004: Train bombings in Spain Group responsible for attack has

link to Al Qaeda

Domestic Terrorism Terrorism perpetrated by the citizens of a country against their

fellow citizens

International terrorism Terrorism in which planning and execution of the terrorist act

transcends national boundaries

Categories of Terrorism

Characteristics

Status: Most from middle class backgrounds, with some from extreme

wealth

Education: Intelligent and literate, with varying levels of formal education

Age: Operational members aged between 20-35, while suicide bombers

tend to be younger

Gender: Most are male but not exclusively

“There’s nothing wrong with being a terrorist, as long as you win.” (Paul Watson, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society)

Attract attention for cause Demonstrate group’s power Show government’s lack of power Exact revenge Obtain logistical support Cause a government to overreact

Objectives of Terrorism

1. Broad target selection: Collection of data on large number of potential targets

2. Intelligence and surveillance: Information gathering on the targets with greatest possibility of success (e.g., schedules, security, layout, etc.)

3. Specific target selection: Decision point!

Terrorist Planning Cycle

4. Pre-attack surveillance and planning: Quantity and quality of data gathering increases, and usually is gathered over days to weeks

5. Attack rehearsal: Often includes relocation to target site, testing of security responsiveness and escape routes, and checking equipment performance

Terrorist Planning Cycle

6. Action: Generally, goal is to get in, get the job done, and get out before security forces can react

7. Escape and exploitation: Escape plans well rehearsed and exploitation of successful attack vital to achieve desired effect

Terrorist Planning Cycle

AssassinationArsonBombingHostage takingKidnappingHijacking

SeizuresRaidsSabotageThreat or HoaxUse of WMD

Tactics

“Between now and 2015 terrorist tactics will become increasingly sophisticated and designed to achieve mass casualties.” (National Intelligence Council)

Assassination Murder of prominent persons,

symbolic enemies, or traitors who defect from the group

Arson Requires little technical knowledge,

poses low risk to terrorist, and can cause significant destruction

Tactics

Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat (top right) and Israeli Prime Minister

Yitzhak Rabin (below)

Bombing—Explosive devices commonly employed in warfare are now an integral part of the terrorist’s arsenal Oct 1983: Marine barracks in Beirut; 245

were killed and 146 wounded Oct 2000: Navy destroyer USS Cole

attacked, resulting in the death of 17 sailors and 39 injured

Tactics

Improvised explosive device (IED) is the terrorist’s weapon of choice: Inexpensive to produce Detonation techniques Low risk to the perpetrator Placement/concealment High attention-getting capacity

Tactics

Sep 2004: Chechen terrorists took hundreds of school children and adults

hostage in Beslan, Russia

Oct 2002: Ingrid Betancourt kidnapped by the FARC; still missing

Hostage taking Overt seizure of individuals with the

intent of gaining publicity or concessions in return for release of the hostage

Kidnapping Covert seizure of one or more specific

person(s) in order to extract specific demands

Tactics

Rescued

1976: Highjacked Flight 139 out of Tel Aviv was diverted to Entebbe, Uganda. Israeli forces, led by Col Yoni Netanyahu, rescued the hostages in Operation Thunderbolt. Netanyahu was the only military casualty.

Hijacking or Skyjacking Normally executed to produce a spectacular

hostage situation; any passenger transport can be used

Seizure Usually involves a building or object that has

value in the eyes of the audience

Tactics

Raids/Attacks on Facilities Done to gain access to media, acquire

resources, and/or demonstrate government’s inability to secure critical facilities

Sabotage Destruction of equipment or

infrastructure to demonstrate vulnerability of society and to disrupt services

Tactics

April 2005: Insurgents led a coordinated attack on Abu Ghraib prison; intended to free detainees

and kill US forces… FAILED!

Threat or Hoaxes Threat that causes diversion of

resources; can dull effectiveness of preventive or countermeasures

Use of WMD Chemical weapons used in the

past… many groups have expressed desire to acquire WMD

Tactics

1995: Terror group Aum Shinrikyo released Sarin gas in the Tokyo subway, injuring thousands and killing 12 people

“Acquiring weapons (WMD) for the defense of Muslims is a religious duty.” (Osama Bin Laden)

Terrorist Attacks 1970-2007Terrorist Attacks 1970-2007

First articulated by the Reagan administration and reaffirmed by every president since

Four enduring policy principles Make no concessions to terrorists Bring terrorists to justice for their crimes Isolate and apply pressure on states that sponsor terrorism to force

them to change their behavior Bolster the counterterrorist capabilities of those countries that work

with the United States and require assistance

US Terror Policy

Advance effective democracies as the long-term antidote to the ideology of terrorism;

Prevent attacks by terrorist networks; Deny weapons of mass destruction to rogue states and

terrorist allies who seek to use them; Deny terrorists the support and sanctuary of rogue states; Deny terrorists control of any nation they would use as a

base and launching pad for terror; and Lay the foundations and build the institutions and

structures we need to carry the fight forward against terror and help ensure our ultimate success.

National Strategy for Combating Terrorism

Dept. of Homeland Security established: Third largest cabinet department after DOD and VA

Incorporates existing agencies, including US Coast Guard, Secret Service, and CIS

Coordinates capabilities of 22+ agencies to: Secure borders, transportation, critical infrastructure Synthesize/analyze homeland security intelligence Spearheads domestic counter-terrorism efforts

US Policy Post 9/11

Guiding principles: US forces will continue to engage Force protection will be a major consideration

DOD addresses terrorism from two distinct perspectives: Counterterrorism (offensive) Anti-terrorism (defensive)

Intelligence critical component for success

US Military Policy

Counterterrorism Offensive measures taken to prevent, deter, and respond to

terrorism include Operation El Dorado Canyon and the GWOT

Antiterrorism Defensive measures to reduce vulnerability include facility

hardening, setting buildings back from roads/parking lots, and limiting access to military posts

US Military Policy

Force Protection—An integrated application of offensive/defensive actions that deter, detect, preempt, mitigate, or negate threats against or hazards to Air Force air and space operations and assets, based on an acceptable level of risk (JP 1-02) Relocation of deployed forces out of

heavily populated areas to an isolated base Deployment of floating barriers around

warships in high-risk areas

Force Protection

“Asymmetric challenges can arise across the spectrum of conflict thatwill confront US forces in a theater of operations or on US soil.”

(National Intelligence Council)

Terrorists are a dynamic enemy…and are adapting to the challenges posed by developing societies

Groups like Al Qaeda and Hezbollah benefit from and are exploiting globalization, even as they fight against it

Terrorist groups are becoming more network based, encouraging loosely organized, self-financed organizational structure

Future of Terrorism

International or transnational cooperation among terrorist groups is becoming the norm

WMD proliferation amplifies the danger of broad, network-based terrorism.

Terrorists increasingly display a willingness to use catastrophic violence to cause mass casualties and destruction

Future of Terrorism

Other trends: Intense motivational extremism Flexible organization structure Aggressive training to improve operational capability Increasing exploitation of media Increasing mass casualties and chaos through use of more

advanced weapons

Future of Terrorism

“States with poor governance; ethnic, cultural, or religious tensions; weak economies; and porous borders will be prime breeding grounds for terrorism.”

(National Intelligence Council)

History Definitions Characteristics, Objectives, & Tactics US National Policy and Military Policy Future of Terrorism

Summary

Questions?

“We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail.” —President Bush, 20 Sep 2001

Homework

Prepare for Lesson 7 The Need for Cross-Cultural Competence