Unit 2: The Arab World Extremism & Terrorism

A Different Perspective “…all liberation movements are described as terrorists by those who have reduced them to slavery. …[The term] terrorist [can] hardly be held to persons who were denied the most elementary human rights, dignity, freedom and independence, and whose countries objected to foreign occupation.” Moulaye el-Hassan U.N. Ambassador from Mauritania “…the methods of combat used by national liberation movements could not be declared illegal while the policy of terrorism unleashed against certain peoples [by the armed forces of established states] was declared legitimate.” Cuban representative to the U.N.

So the questions become... When is the use of force acceptable? Who can use force? Nations, smaller groups? What makes a person a terrorist? Revolutionary or Terrorist??

Definitions Extremism: belief in and support for ideas that are very far from what most people consider correct or reasonable Terrorism: the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes, often targets civilians

Terrorism Terrorist – person whose extremist views have led them to believe violence is justified Cause – feel their cause is being neglected and/or ignored Violence – believe that they have no other option left but violence to bring attention to their cause, which will lead to change

Why have terrorists attacked the U.S? 1. OUR SUPPORT OF ISRAEL (think about the Arab/Israeli Conflict) 2. INVOLVEMENT IN OTHER WARS ex: First Gulf War (1991) 3. TROOPS STATIONED IN CERTAIN COUNTRIES ex: currently have troops in Afghanistan ex: also have military presence in Saudi Arabia, near Mecca 4. ECONOMIC POLICIES 5. BELIEVE “WESTERN” CULTURE IS DESTROYING THEIR CULTURE

9/11 -NYC

9/11 - Pentagon

9/11 - PA

9/11 Targets: WHY? NYC World Trade Center – Economics Pentagon – Foreign Policy Flight 93 – White House, Capitol Building?? To learn more about 9/11, go to: ial.org/ ial.org/

Osama bin laden How did this man become an extremist/terrorist? To find out, go to: osama-timeline.html?_r=1& osama-timeline.html?_r=1&