Do Now: How would you define terrorism? Please give examples that demonstrate your definition.

Terrorism

Some Definitions State: a state is an entity that has a defined territory and a permanent population under the control of its own government. Non-state Actors: In recent decades, groups and individuals have played a greater role in international relations. These groups and individuals (such as businesses, charities, individuals, or even terrorist organizations), are called non-state actors.

Defining Terrorism: State Department Terrorism is “politically motivated violence directed at civilians and perpetrated by non-state groups.”

Defining Terrorism: Department of Defense Terrorism is “the calculated use of violence or the threat of violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate government or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological.”

Defining Terrorism: Walter Laqueur (terrorism scholar) “Terrorism constitutes the illegitimate use of force to achieve a political objective when innocent people are targeted.”

Defining Terrorism: FBI “The unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.”

Defining Terrorism: Former Deputy Chief, CIA Counterterrorist Center “It is premeditated—planned in advance, rather than an impulsive act of rage. It is political—not criminal, like the violence that groups such as the mafia use to get money, but designed to change the existing political order. It is aimed at civilians—not at military targets or combat-ready troops. It is carried out by subnational groups—not by the army of a country.”

Defining Terrorism: Arab Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism, 1998 “Any act or threat of violence, whatever its motives or purposes, that occurs in the advancement of an individual or collective criminal agenda and seeking to sow panic among people, causing fear by harming them, or placing their lives, liberty or security in danger, or seeking to cause damage to the environment or to public or private installations or property or to occupying or seizing them, or seeking to jeopardize a national resources.”

Defining Terrorism: Govt of India Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002 Violence with “intent to threaten the unity, integrity, security or sovereignty of India or to strike terror in the people or any section of the people”

What do all these definitions all seem to have in common? ??????????????????????????????????????

Elements of Terrorism • Not impulsive • Political • Non-state • Targets civilians • Aimed at an audience • Weapon of the weak

Conclusions What do difficulties in defining terrorism mean for our ability to counter terrorism? If terrorism has been with us for centuries, can we defeat it now? How does understanding the nature of terrorism help us deal with it? Is “The War of Terror” an appropriate term to describe counter-terrorist efforts? Why or why not? What is an appropriate and effective reaction to terrorism?

What is your definition of terrorism?