Terrorism and Globalization

Defining Terrorism Globalization is not responsible for terrorism, but it allows terrorism to exist on a global level Debatable Assumption – Terrorism: Use of violence to reach political ends Weakest form of warfare = little change Debatable Assumption – Realist – States have a monopoly on terror » State Sponsor v Non-State Sponsor Palestine v Israel IRA v British – Four Types Left-Wing – Communist Right-Wing – Fascism Ethno-nationalist/Separatist – Decolonization Religious – Islam

Terrorism: Global Phenomenon Prior to 1968 Terrorism was a domestic/internal problem for a state – Three factors of transnational terrorism Expansion of Commercial Air Travel – Hijackings skyrocketed Televised News Coverage – Message to the masses or show public a threat Broad political and ideological interest – Relationships of convenience – Decade of Terror – Decrease in deadly and indiscriminate targets – Fall of Marx-Leninist terrorist groups decrease, while a rise in militant Islamic terrorist groups Increase in sophistication of attacks Increase in use of suicide

Globalization and Terror September 11, 2001 – A globalization terrorist event – Who is Al Qaeda? Debate – Multi-dimensional sub-state actor or extremist Islamic Militant group – Single group or global movement – Three Explanations Cultural Explanation – Backlash to western products and materialism » Free Market Capitalism challenging traditional views – Regain or preserve one culture/identity » Western, Confucian, Japanese, Islamic, Hindu, Slavic- Orthodox, and Latin Is there homogeneity in each classification?

Continue – Economic Explanation 9/11 – World Trade Center= attack on symbol of capitalism – Western Economic Imperialism » World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) dominated by west Privatization and Interest Rates North-South Gap = winners/losers of globalization – Wealth = security and violence » Criminal v. Political violence Economic alienation and lack of opportunity = youth suicide bombers

Continue – Religion Explanation Postmodern or “New” Terrorism – Religious motivation for terror » Promise of divine reward » Attack on non-believers – Jihad = reaction to oppression of Muslims? » Extremist view of Jihad (No Compromise) differs from historical/religious meaning (Compromise) » More inclined to use suicide then economic/cultural terrorist Few leaders, coordinators, planners make martyrs of themselves

Technology and Terrorism Terrorism have become more pervasive worldwide due to the process and technologies of globalization Improved terrorist in the following areas – Proselytizing » Cheap computers and Internet to convey or beliefs Greater volume, range, sophistication of message » More difficult to remove virtual presence then physical Instant communication Video feed of accomplishments – Coordination » Communication technologies allow coordinated attacks » Planning can take place between various cells located in different geographical locations – local and global Internet/ Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Global Fund Raising

Continue – Security » Use technology for surveillance and counter-Surveillance techniques Coordinating surveillance Allows mobility – can operate anywhere Encryption communications/documents Etc… » Cell Terrorism Autonomous with little information on hierarchy or other cells – Mobility » Reduction of size and power of hardware provided mobility » Global Trade allows mobility of terrorist and their goods Relaxed control and regulation do to trade volume – Lethality » Fear = terrorist gain weapons of mass destruction » Dirty Bombs, biological and chemical, etc…

Combating Terrorism Requires collaboration from governments and non-government organizations – Difficult process today Disagreement on definition of terrorism Disagreement on who is a terrorist Disagreement on how to deal with terrorist Easy to silence messenger, but not the message – Global Counter-Terrorism Network (GCTN) America’s “War on Terror” – War on non-state organization and ideology seems impossible to beat? – Does war on terror create terror? – Is it’s purpose to impose an Orwellian System?