Terrorism in Today’s World Definition, History, Root Causes and Strategy Dr. James Forest, Director of Terrorism Studies

Defining Terrorism Definitions –Many –Ambiguous –Are terrorists “freedom fighters”? –Matter of perception? –What is the relationship between insurgency and terrorism? Are all insurgents terrorists? Are all terrorists insurgents? –AW/UW, 4GW and terrorism

Defining Terrorism Certain aspects are fundamental Political act –Desire for political change –Terrorism is typically non-state in character (Note the separate but related topic of state terrorism, for whom political change is usually not desired) States can terrorize, but they are not terrorists. –Terrorists do not abide by norms They target innocents They seek psychological trauma

Terrorism: Key Terms Vision Power Ideology Duty Self-sacrifice Strategy Tactics Will to kill Skill to kill Indoctrination Radicalization Rationalization Moral Disengagement Facilitators/Causes Enabling Environment Learning Organization Counter vs. Anti Hard/Soft Power

Elements of modern Terrorism Brian Jenkins (2007) : Terrorism has become bloodier Terrorists have developed new financial resources, so that they are less dependent on state sponsors Terrorists have evolved new models of organization Terrorists can now wage global campaigns Terrorists have effectively exploited new communications technologies

Elements of modern Terrorism Increasing number and lethality of attacks –Less by Al Qaida, more by regional or local affiliates and wanna-bes –Shifting from small groups to motivated and resourceful individuals (e.g., Madrid, London) Info Ops – role of technology –From DVDs and web videos to Al Jazeera –Availability of info on government security, CT efforts, public sentiment, transit systems –EW – another role of technology

Elements of modern Terrorism Taking instruments from our daily life—the backpack, the car, the shoe, the cell phone— and turning them into weapons. Goal – damage the trust necessary for a successful open society Use of children and female suicide bombers by terrorist organizations

Conclusion Defining terrorism: not as easy as some might assume There is no real ‘profile’ of a terrorist. Potentially anyone can be radicalized, indoctrinated, taught why and how to murder others in pursuit of some broader vision.

Defining Terrorism Definitions –Many –Ambiguous –Are terrorists “freedom fighters”? –Matter of perception? –What is the relationship between insurgency and terrorism? Are all insurgents terrorists? Are all terrorists insurgents? –AW/UW, 4GW and terrorism

Department of Defense The calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological.

Department of State Premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by sub- national or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience.

Federal Bureau of Investigation 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 Certain aspects are fundamental Political act –Desire for political change –Terrorism is typically non-state in character (Note the separate but related topic of state terrorism, for whom political change is usually not desired) States can terrorize, but they are not terrorists. –Terrorists do not abide by norms They target innocents They seek psychological trauma

Terrorism: Key Terms Vision Power Ideology Duty Strategy Tactics Indoctrination Facilitators/Causes Enabling Environment

5 Goals of Terrorist Groups According to Walter and Kydd: 1.Regime Change (Sendero Luminso) 2.Control of Territory (LTTE) 3.Policy Change (al Qa`ida) 4.Social Control (KKK or Army of God) 5.Maintain Status Quo (United Self Defense Forces of Colombia)

Defining Terrorism Primary Types Left-wing Right Wing Ethno-nationalist (separatist) Religious

Left-Wing Terrorism Driven by liberal or idealist political concepts Prefer revolutionary anti-authoritarian anti- materialist agendas Typically target elites who symbolize authority Examples –Red Brigades (Italy) –Red Army Faction (Baader Meinhof Gang) (Germany) –MRTA (Tupac Amaru movement) (Peru) –Sendero Luminoso (Peru) –Weather Underground (United States)

Right-Wing Terrorism Often target race and ethnicity Examples Christian identity USA Creativity movement USA Combat 18 England Ku Klux Klan Neo Confederates NeoNazism Silent Brotherhood White Aryan Resistance (WAR) USA World Church of the Creator Aryan Republican Army USA Aryan Nations USA The Boeremag South Africa The Aryan Republican Army Skinheads Neo-Nazi Skinheads American Nazi Party USA National Alliance USA National Association for the Advancement of White People (NAAWP) USA

Ethno-Nationalists Usually have clear territorial objectives –Liberation/separation –Popular support usually along ethnic/racial lines. Examples –ETA (Basque Separatists) –Irish Republican Army –Lashkar-e Taiba (& other Kashmir groups) –Moro Islamic Liberation Front –Tamil Tigers (LTTE)

Religious Terrorists Largest category of groups today Ideologies are supremacist (believers assume superiority over non- believers) & absolutist (you are with us or you are an unbeliever or an enemy “an infidel, an apostate”) “God is on our side – we are acting on the desires of a diety” (audience is thus not necessarily human; “we are unconstrained by man’s laws”) Adherents believe they are involved in a struggle of good vs. evil; Piety and persistence in the faith will lead to rewards in this life and the next Polarizing values in terms of right and wrong, good and evil, light and dark can lead to a complete alienation from existing socio/political order

Religious Terrorists Examples Hizballah LEHI, Stern Gang and Zvi Irgun (Jewish extremists) Al Qaida Jemaah Islamiya Aum Shinrikyo Egyptian Islamic Jihad AQ in the Islamic Maghreb Algerian GIA and GSPC Syrian Muslim Brotherhood Hizb ut-Tahrir Al Qaeda in Iraq Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan Christian Identity The Sword, Covenant & Arm of the Lord

Elements of modern Terrorism Increasing number and lethality of attacks –Less by Al Qaida, more by regional or local affiliates and wanna-bes –Shifting from small groups to motivated and resourceful individuals (e.g., Madrid, London) Info Ops – role of technology –From DVDs and web videos to Al Jazeera –Availability of info on government security, CT efforts, public sentiment, transit systems –EW – another role of technology

Elements of modern Terrorism Taking instruments from our daily life—the backpack, the car, the shoe, the cell phone— and turning them into weapons. Goal – damage the trust necessary for a successful open society Use of children and female suicide bombers by terrorist organizations

Conclusion Defining terrorism: not as easy as some might assume There is no real ‘profile’ of a terrorist Potentially anyone can be radicalized, indoctrinated, taught why and how to murder others in pursuit of some broader vision. Ideologies, targets, tactics may differ Enabling environments, facilitators are often similar

Questions? T he C ombating T errorism C enter a t w est p oint Lincoln Hall, 122 Dr. James Forest, Director of Terrorism Studies