Introduction to War and Terrorism York College Jonathan Jackson, MSC, BSC

What are we going to look at today? The New War: Fighting in the 21 st Century Afghanistan: An endless war Terrorism and the Current Threats to the UK

Fighting a new war in the 21 st Century To understand the problems that we face in our attempt to stop terrorism and violence around the world it is important to understand how warfare has changed. This is a video clip is a battle scene taken from a drama series called Band of Brothers. This scene is set in the Battle of Normandy, which was a battle in the Second World War in US forces are attacking a German position. In the clip look at: Can you tell who is who? Terrain? Weapons? Tactics?

Fighting in the 21 st Century? This next clip is taken from Ross Kemp in Afghanistan, and the footage is shot in the Northern Part of Afghanistan. I would like you to ask yourselves the same questions as you did in the previous clip. Can you tell who is who? Terrain? Weapons? Tactics?

Battle in Normandy 1944Battle in Afghanistan 2009 You can tell who the Americans are and who the Germans are. Uniforms and weapons. Terrain is recognisable, countryside is easy to fight in. They have similar weapons and the use conventional military tactics. One group is attacking another. Enemy was not surrounded by civilians. The Royal Marines never actually see the enemy, instead the shoot at muzzle flashes. So who are they shooting at? The Taliban or another group. Terrain was difficult to fight in. Mountainous and alien to the British Troops. Who did it favour? Vast difference in weapons. Airpower and Support weapons for the British. Un-similar tactics, IED’S and surprise attack. Enemy was fighting in civilian areas.

Fighting in the 21 st Century To understand the problems of fighting in the 21 st Century you must understand the conflicts that we are now fighting. Unknown enemies Complex environments both socially and geographically. Not a equal war, as the groups we are fighting are not on the same levels of military power and so employ other tactics.

War in Afghanistan How long have we deployed in Afghanistan?.

Why are we in Afghanistan? The attacks on the Twin Towers on September 11 th 2001 by a small terrorist group called Al Qaeda. Al Qaeda were based in Afghanistan. They were small and led by a wealthy man called Osama Bin Laden. Al Qaeda are not from Afghanistan. They are made up of numerous different people from all over the world but were based in Afghanistan in The government in charge of Afghanistan at the time were called the Taliban.

The Taliban were not destroyed in 2001 and instead have been fighting against British and American forces since then. They are fighting because we are in their country and are supporting another government who oppose the Taliban ruling Afghanistan. However there are now other groups that are also fighting us now. They are fighting us for all kinds of reasons: Money. Drugs Trade. Local Control of areas. Religious Reasons.

How do the Taliban fight a 21 st Century war? Hit and Run Tactics: “He who shoots and runs away, we live and fight another day”. Use the terrain: Its their homeland and can afford the time and cost of the conflict. Use cheap weapons like AK-47 and small arms. Improvised Explosive Devices: Psychological Weapon. Injury Impacts. Divide between local people and NATO troops. Endless War: “See the job through”.

Terrorism Terrorism is where a organisation or state tries to change the Politics, Social or Religion of a country or group of people. They use violence!! Terrorists use violence to achieve their objectives. The tactics they use are: Explosive devices Kidnappings Violent attacks Public Shock Tactics Beheadings Can Terrorism be good or is it always bad?

Who Poses the Terrorist Threat: Al-Qaeda: Radical Islamic Organisation Affiliated Groups: Endless List with organisations based in Pakistan, Lebanon, Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Iraq. Irish Republican Army and other affiliated groups. Loyalist Paramilitary Groups Far Right Extremist Groups: English Defence League, Combat 18 Animal Rights Extremists.

Thank you very much for your attention. Questions?