You at Brandon Nixon's project site about TERRORISM

 

"Terrorism" is a word for which there is no universally-accepted definition yet, but might exist in the near future (see "Definition of 'terrorism'").

Many putative definitions of terrorism define as "terrorism" only those acts which are intended to create fear (terror), are perpetrated for an ideological goal and by a member or members of a group (as opposed to being carried out in a lone attack), and which deliberately target, or else disregard the safety of, non-combatants (civilians). Many definitions also include only acts of unlawful violence as opposed to "lawful acts of war".

The sense of moral condemnation is built into the definition of the concept of terrorism (i.e. terrorism is deemed to be an attack on those who should be morally immune from attack). On the question of whether particular terrorist acts, such as murder, can be justified as the lesser evil in a particular circumstance, philosophers have expressed different views: While, according to David Rodin, utilitarian philosophers can in theory conceive of cases in which evil of terrorism is outweighed by important goods that can be achieved in no morally less costly way, in practice utilitarians often universally reject terrorism because it is very dubious that acts of terrorism achieve important goods in a utility efficient manner, or that the "harmful effects of undermining the convention of non-combatant immunity is thought to outweigh the goods that may be achieved by particular acts of terrorism."  Among the non-utilitarian philosophers, Michael Walzer argued that terrorism is always morally wrong but at the same time those who engaged in terrorism can be morally justified in one specific case: when "a nation or community faces the extreme threat of complete destruction and the only way it can preserve itself is by intentionally targeting non-combatants, then it is morally entitled to do so."

As a form of unconventional warfare, terrorism is sometimes used when attempting to force political change by convincing a government or population to agree to demands to avoid future harm or fear of harm, destabilizing an existing government, motivating a disgruntled population to join an uprising, escalating a conflict in the hopes of disrupting the status quo, expressing a grievance, or drawing attention to a cause.

Terrorism has been used by a broad array of political organizations in furthering their objectives; both right-wing and left-wing political parties, nationalistic, and religious groups, revolutionaries and ruling governments. The presence of non-state actors in widespread armed conflict has created controversy regarding the application of the laws of war.

An International Round Table on Constructing Peace, Deconstructing Terror (2004) hosted by Strategic Foresight Group recommended that a distinction should be made between terrorism and acts of terror. While acts of terrorism are criminal acts as per the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 and domestic jurisprudence of almost all countries in the world, terrorism refers to a phenomenon including the actual acts, the perpetrators of acts of terrorism themselves and their motives. There is disagreement on definitions of terrorism. However, there is an intellectual consensus globally, that acts of terrorism should not be accepted under any circumstances. This is reflected in all important conventions including the United Nations counter terrorism strategy, the decisions of the Madrid Conference on terrorism, the Strategic Foresight Group and ALDE Round Tables at the European Parliament.

Terrorism
General Sites on Terrorism

The Terrorist Attack on America
Foreign Affairs is making available previously published articles that contribute to an understanding of the tragic attacks on New York and Washington. Several of the essays analyze the nature of contemporary terrorism and the capabilities of the United States to combat it. Other essays provide the Middle Eastern and radical Islamic contexts for so much recent terrorism, including, apparently, the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Pakistan's Jihad Culture
Jessica Stern
(November/December 2000)
Radical Islamic groups, strongly represented in the Pakistani military and tacitly supported by the government, are destabilizing the country and the region and providing critical support to the Taliban regime in neighboring Afghanistan.
"By facilitating the activities of the irregulars in Kashmir, the Pakistani government is inadvertently promoting internal sectarianism, supporting international terrorists, weakening the prospect for peace in Kashmir, damaging Pakistan's international image, spreading a narrow and violent version of Islam throughtout the region, and increasing tensions with India--- all against the interest of Pakistan as a whole."
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The New Threat of Mass Destruction
Richard K. Betts
(January/February 1998)
A prescient discussion of the dangers of terrorist attacks on the U.S. homeland and our failure to protect against them.
"[The most] worrisome danger [is] that mass destruction will occur in the United States, killing large numbers of civilians. The primary risk is not that enemies might lob some nuclear or chemical weapons at U.S. armored ships or battalions, awful as that would be. Rather, it is that they might attempt to punish the United States by triggering catastrophes in American cities. But retaliation requires knowledge of who has launched an attack. Today some groups may wish to punish the United States without taking credit for the action."
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Catastrophic Terrorism: Tackling the New Danger
Ashton Carter, John Deutch, and Philip Zelikow
(November/December 1998)
Describes the deadly new forms of terrorism, the reasons for targeting America and what will be required to combat the new threats.
"As the 1993 World Trade Center incident demonstrated, a terrorist group can include U.S. citizens and foreign nationals, operating and moving materials in and out of American territory over long periods of time. The greatest danger may arise from overlapping jurisdictions, such as the divide between 'foreign' and 'domestic terrorism' or 'law enforcement' versus 'national security'. … The U.S. government must create unglamorous but effective systems for accountable decision-making that combine civil, military, and intelligence expertise through the chain of command; integrate planning and operational activity; build up institutional capacities; and highlight defensive needs before an incident happens."
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Keeping America's Military Edge
Ashton B. Carter
(January/February 2001)
Proposes changes in the national security establishment to meet new missions, ranging from peacekeeping to dealing with terrorism.
"Today, some of the most critical security missions --- counterterrorism, combating WMD proliferation, homeland defense, information warfare, peacekeeping, civil reconstruction, and conflict prevention … are accomplished in an ad-hoc fashion by unwieldy combinations of departments and agencies designed a half-century ago for a different world."
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Beyond Border Control
Stephen E. Flynn
(November/December 2000)
Argues that the global economy has opened national borders to goods and people, legal and illegal; terrorists and their weapons enjoy easier passage than ever before. Corporations and governments must work together, developing new technologies and techniques to help border control keep pace with booming commerce.
"Last December, as year 2000 celebrations approached, Americans got a case of the pre-holiday jitters when news broke that an Algerian terrorist with suspected ties with Osama bin Laden had been arrested in Port Angeles, Washington. Ahmed Ressam had arrived in the United States from Vancouver in a car loaded with bomb-making materials. Only a U.S. Customs Service official's unease with the way Ressam answered her questions prevented him from driving onto American soil. What was most surprising about Ressam's arrest was that he was detected and apprehended at all -- one man amid the 475 million people, 125 million vehicles, and 21.4 million import shipments that came into the country last year.... Intercepting the ripples of danger in this tidal wave of commerce is about as likely as winning a lottery."
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The Taliban: Exporting Extremism
Ahmed Rashid
(November/December 1999)
Discusses how radical Islam and repressive politics are gaining ground in one of the world's most sensitive regions. As they consolidate their power over Afghanistan, the Taliban are starting to destabilize the entire surrounding area -- and beyond.
"Striking up a friendship with Umar, the Taliban chief, [Osama] bin Ladin moved to Umar's base in Khandahar in early 1997. Bin Ladin reunited and rearmed the Arab militants still remaining in Afghanistan after the war against the Soviets.... Umar was quickly influenced by his new friend and became increasingly vociferous in his attacks on Americans.... Recent Taliban statements reflect a bin Ladin-style outrage, defiance, and pan-Islamism that the Taliban had never used before his arrival."
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License to Kill
Bernard Lewis
(November/December 1998)
A little-noticed declaration of jihad by Osama bin Laden in an Arabic newspaper underscores the Islamist's main grievance: U.S. troops in Arabia.
"For Muslims…the holy land par excellence is Arabia…. Muhammad lived and died in Arabia…. the center of the Islamic world and the scene of its major achievements was Iraq, the seat of the caliphate for a half a millennium. For Muslims, no piece of land can ever be finally renounced, but none compares in significance with Arabia and Iraq."
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Postmodern Terrorism
Walter Laqueur
(September/October 1996)
Describes the birth of a new type of terrorist at the end of the Cold War: one less ideological, fired by apocalyptic visions, harder to distinguish from common criminals, armed with new weapons, and ready to use them indiscriminately.
"Chances are that of 100 attempts at terrorist superviolence, 99 would fail. But the single successful one could claim many more victims, do more material damage, and unleash far greater panic than anything the world has yet experienced."
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The Clash of Civilizations?
Samuel P. Huntington
(Summer 1993)
This seminal essay sketches one view of the possible sources of conflicts to come, as the divide between civilizations grows deeper and the battle is joined between "the West and the Rest."
"The fundamental source of conflict in this new world will not be primarily ideological or primarily economic. The great divisions among humankind and the dominating source of conflict will be cultural. Nation states will remain the most powerful actors in world affairs, but the principal conflicts of global politics will occur between nations and groups of different civilizations. The clash of civilizations will dominate global politics. The fault lines between civilizations will be the battle lines of the future."
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The Strategy of Terrorism
David Fromkin
(July 1975)
A history of terrorism from the Middle Ages onward, with analysis of terrorist strategies -- and how governments can defeat them.
"Terrorism is the weapon of those who are prepared to use violence but who believe that they would lose any contest of sheer strength. All too little understood, the uniqueness of the strategy lies in this: that it achieves its goal not through its acts but through the response to its acts. In any other such strategy, the violence is the beginning and its consequences are the end of it. For terrorism, however, the consequences of the violence are themselves merely a first step and for a stepping stone toward objectives that are more remote. Whereas military and revolutionary actions aim at a physical result, terrorists actions aim at a psychological result."
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Reviews of Related Books

America's Achilles' Heel: Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Terrorism and Covert Attack.
Richard A. Falkenrath, Robert D. Newman, and Bradley A. Thayer Cambridge: MIT Press, 1998
Read the review

Terrorism and America: A Commonsense Strategy for a Democratic Society.
Philip B. Heymann. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1998
Read the review

Inside Terrorism.
Bruce Hoffman. New York: Columbia University Press, 1998
Read the review

Terrorism with Chemical and Biological Weapons: Calibrating Risks and Responses.
Edited by Brad Roberts. Alexandria, Va.: Chemical and Biological Arms Control Institute, 1997
Read the review

The Ultimate Terrorists.
Jessica Stern. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1999
Read the review

Fundamentalism Reborn? Afghanistan and the Taliban.
Edited by William Maley. New York: New York University Press, 1998
Read the review

Preventive Defense: A New Security Strategy for America.
Ashton B. Carter and William James Perry. Washington: Brookings Institution Press, 1999
Read the review

Toxic Terror: Assessing Terrorist Use of Chemical and Biological Weapons.
Edited by Jonathan B. Tucker. Cambridge: MIT Press, 2000
Read the review

Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil and Fundamentalism in Central Asia.
Ahmed Rashid. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2000
Read the review

The Greatest Threat: Iraq, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and the Growing Crisis of Global Security.
Richard Butler. New York: PublicAffairs, 2000
Read the review

Planning the Unthinkable: How New Powers Will Use Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Weapons.
Edited by Peter Lavoy, Scott D. Sagan, and James J. Wirtz. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2000
Read the review

Road Map for National Security: Imperative for Change.
U.S. Commission for National Security/21st Century
Read the review

Terrorism and U.S. Foreign Policy.
Paul R. Pillar. Washington: Brookings Institution Press 2001
Read the review

 

                      

VIEWPOINT: More terrorism may be the price of freedom

By Edward Halas,
Published Sunday, February 24, 2008

GRAND FORKS - We won the Cold War because we knew our enemy, and we had a strategy to defeat it: containment of the Soviet Union. It took 40 years, but it worked.

None of our presidential candidates have clearly spelled out a strategy on how we are going to defeat something called terrorism. We do not have even a clear definition of who or what it is or how we are going to fight it.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., says we must win in Iraq without describing what is victory. For McCain, Iraq is the center of the war on terrorism. He favors keeping a large military force in Iraq for an indefinite period. But our military commanders in Iraq keep saying that there is no military solution in Iraq. In that case, can we afford to have a large military force in Iraq indefinitely at tremendous cost in lives and money? Will the American people pay the price?

Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., favor substantially reducing our military force in Iraq and initiating a vigorous campaign of diplomacy to get neighboring states to find a political solution to the problems there. Whether any of the candidates' strategies will work cannot be foreseen.

Poverty and lack of education are the root causes of the ongoing Islamic terrorism. During its glory days during the Dark Ages, Islam and the culture it created were world leaders in science, literature, arts, politics and philosophy. Islam was open to new ideas, and politicians were the dominant leaders in the society.

As time passed, the religious mullahs became the leaders, and they ruled what was acceptable or unacceptable in an Islamic society. Chemistry became alchemy, astronomy became astrology and rational thought became mysticism and religious dogma. New ideas no longer were acceptable.

What is unique about the Islamic world is its failure to provide a Western style of education to its young people. The teaching of science, engineering and technology is abysmal, and those subjects are critical for modern economics. The Islamic world has created its own Dark Ages, and the people will remain there as long as they refuse to modernize their education system.

Nations can change. China and India changed their education systems, adopted capitalism, modified their political systems, and they now are challenging us as economic powers.

China and India were forced to change because of tremendous internal pressures and their fears that outside powers would take advantage of their weakness. The problem is, how do you change the culture of the Islamic world? The Islamic extremists live in a mystical fantasy world of their own making and will not respond to reason or to military power.

The horrible situation we are facing is that we cannot change the culture of the Islamic world. It has to come from within - just as it did in China and India. Until such changes occur, we always will have terrorism.

To suggest we can occupy Iraq that way we did Japan, Germany and South Korea is a false comparison. The Iraq occupation is totally different in that there is a bitter civil war going on among three groups, and we are in the middle.

In our war against terrorism, we must not surrender our civil rights in the name of greater security. That may mean we may suffer more terrorists acts at home, and lives may be lost but that is the price of freedom. If our soldiers can die for our freedom, then civilians also should be prepared to die for our freedom. That is not a pleasant thought, but freedom comes with a cost.

Our strategy, such as it is, in fighting terrorism has been a disaster in every area. We made more enemies, alienated our friends and weakened our moral foundation as a nation of freedom and democracy.

If we are going to be successful, the next president will have to do a better job of educating the American people on how and why terrorism was born and what strategies and sacrifices it will take to eventually defeat terrorism.

Once the American people understand the enormity of the challenge, then we can quietly engage the Muslim people and show them how are system of education and religious tolerance can lead to a better life.

Halas is a retired professor of psychology at UND.

 

FEMA:Terrorism

Throughout human history, there have been many threats to the security of nations. These threats have brought about large-scale losses of life, the destruction of property, widespread illness and injury, the displacement of large numbers of people, and devastating economic loss.

Recent technological advances and ongoing international political unrest are components of the increased risk to national security.

General Information about Terrorism

Explosions

Biological Threats

Chemical Threats

Nuclear Blast

Radiological Dispersion Device (RDD)

 

Darul Uloom to adopt declaration denouncing terrorism

New Delhi (PTI): Leading Islamic Seminary Darul Uloom and several other Muslim organisations are likely to adopt a declaration denouncing terrorism and declaring it "un-Islamic".

The declaration is expected to be finalised and adopted at an anti-terrorism conference in Deoband in Uttar Pradesh which would be attended by clerics, scholars and religious leaders from across the country.

"Representatives from about 6,000 madrasas from across the country, Muslim leaders and clerics from several sects besides foreign delegates will attend the conference," Ashraf Usmani, a member of the media team of the seminary, said.

The conference will ask the Muslim community to stay away from acts of terrorism and organisations that encourage violence in the name of religion, he said, adding: "we condemn terrorism and killing of innocent people."

"Terrorism has no place in a civil society," Maulana Abdul Hameed Nomani, Islamic scholar and spokesman of Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Hind, said.

All acts of terrorism and killing of innocent people of any religion are strictly prohibited, he said.

"We have received invitation and our representatives will participate in the anti-terrorism conference," Maulana Kalbe Jawwad, a prominent Shia cleric and General Secretary of Majlis-e-Ulema-e-Hind, said.

Homeland Security Advisory System

 

Terrorism—Preparing for the Unexpected

FROM THE AMERICAN RED CROSS:

Shelter-in-Place in an Emergency

 

Devastating acts, such as the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, have left many concerned about the possibility of future incidents in the United States and their potential impact. They have raised uncertainty about what might happen next, increasing stress levels. Nevertheless, there are things you can do to prepare for the unexpected and reduce the stress that you may feel now and later should another emergency arise. Taking preparatory action can reassure you and your children that you can exert a measure of control even in the face of such events.

What You Can Do to Prepare

Finding out what can happen is the first step. Once you have determined the events possible and their potential in your community, it is important that you discuss them with your family or household. Develop a disaster plan together.

1. Create an emergency communications plan.
Choose an out-of-town contact your family or household will call or e-mail to check on each other should a disaster occur. Your selected contact should live far enough away that they would be unlikely to be directly affected by the same event, and they should know they are the chosen contact. Make sure every household member has that contact's, and each other's, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers (home, work, pager and cell). Leave these contact numbers at your children's schools, if you have children, and at your workplace. Your family should know that if telephones are not working, they need to be patient and try again later or try e-mail. Many people flood the telephone lines when emergencies happen but e-mail can sometimes get through when calls don't.

2. Establish a meeting place.
Having a predetermined meeting place away from your home will save time and minimize confusion should your home be affected or the area evacuated. You may even want to make arrangements to stay with a family member or friend in case of an emergency. Be sure to include any pets in these plans, since pets are not permitted in shelters and some hotels will not accept them.

3. Assemble a disaster supplies kit.
If you need to evacuate your home or are asked to "shelter in place," having some essential supplies on hand will make you and your family more comfortable. Prepare a disaster supplies kit in an easy-to-carry container such as a duffel bag or small plastic trash can. Include "special needs" items for any member of your household (infant formula or items for people with disabilities or older people), first aid supplies (including prescription medications), a change of clothing for each household member, a sleeping bag or bedroll for each, a battery powered radio or television and extra batteries, food, bottled water and tools. It is also a good idea to include some cash and copies of important family documents (birth certificates, passports and licenses) in your kit.

Copies of essential documents-like powers of attorney, birth and marriage certificates, insurance policies, life insurance beneficiary designations and a copy of your will-should also be kept in a safe location outside your home. A safe deposit box or the home of a friend or family member who lives out of town is a good choice.

For more complete instructions, ask your local Red Cross chapter for the brochure titled Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit (stock number A4463).

4. Check on the school emergency plan of any school-age children you may have.
You need to know if they will they keep children at school until a parent or designated adult can pick them up or send them home on their own. Be sure that the school has updated information about how to reach parents and responsible caregivers to arrange for pickup. And, ask what type of authorization the school may require to release a child to someone you designate, if you are not able to pick up your child. During times of emergency the school telephones may be overwhelmed with calls.

For more information on putting together a disaster plan, request a copy of the brochure titled Your Family Disaster Plan (A4466) from your local American Red Cross chapter. You may also want to request a copy of Before Disaster Strikes . . . How to Make Sure You're Financially Prepared (A5075) for specific information on what you can do now to protect your assets.

If Disaster Strikes

A Word on What Could Happen
As we learned from the events of September 11, 2001, the following things can happen after a terrorist attack:

Evacuation
If local authorities ask you to leave your home, they have a good reason to make this request, and you should heed the advice immediately. Listen to your radio or television and follow the instructions of local emergency officials and keep these simple tips in mind-

  1. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy shoes so you can be protected as much as possible.
  2. Take your disaster supplies kit.
  3. Take your pets with you; do not leave them behind. Because pets are not permitted in public shelters, follow your plan to go to a relative's or friend's home, or find a "pet-friendly" hotel.
  4. Lock your home.
  5. Use travel routes specified by local authorities—don't use shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.
  6. Stay away from downed power lines.

Listen to local authorities.
Your local authorities will provide you with the most accurate information specific to an event in your area. Staying tuned to local radio and television, and following their instructions is your safest choice.

If you're sure you have time:

Shelter-in-place Fact Sheet (Fact Sheet PDF file)
If you are advised by local officials to "shelter in place," what they mean is for you to remain inside your home or office and protect yourself there. Close and lock all windows and exterior doors. Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Close the fireplace damper. Get your disaster supplies kit, and make sure the radio is working. Go to an interior room without windows that's above ground level. In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air, and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed. Using duct tape, seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room. Keep listening to your radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.
 

Additional Positive Steps You Can Take

Raw, unedited footage of terrorism events and people's reaction to those events can be very upsetting, especially to children. We do not recommend that children watch television news reports about such events, especially if the news reports show images over and over again about the same incident. Young children do not realize that it is repeated video footage, and think the event is happening again and again. Adults may also need to give themselves a break from watching disturbing footage. However, listening to local radio and television reports will provide you with the most accurate information from responsible governmental authorities on what's happening and what actions you will need to take. So you may want to make some arrangements to take turns listening to the news with other adult members of your household.

Another useful preparation includes learning some basic first aid. To enroll in a first aid and AED/CPR course, contact your local American Red Cross chapter. In an emergency situation, you need to tend to your own well-being first and then consider first aid for others immediately around you, including possibly assisting injured people to evacuate a building if necessary.

People who may have come into contact with a biological or chemical agent may need to go through a decontamination procedure and receive medical attention. Listen to the advice of local officials on the radio or television to determine what steps you will need to take to protect yourself and your family. As emergency services will likely be overwhelmed, only call 9-1-1 about life-threatening emergencies.

First Aid Primer
If you encounter someone who is injured, apply the emergency action steps: Check-Call-Care. Check the scene to make sure it is safe for you to approach. Then check the victim for unconsciousness and life-threatening conditions. Someone who has a life-threatening condition, such as not breathing or severe bleeding, requires immediate care by trained responders and may require treatment by medical professionals. Call out for help. There are some steps that you can take, however, to care for someone who is hurt, but whose injuries are not life threatening.

Control Bleeding

Care for Shock

Tend Burns

Care for Injuries to Muscles, Bones and Joints

Be Aware of Biological/Radiological Exposure

Reduce Any Care Risks
The risk of getting a disease while giving first aid is extremely rare. However, to reduce the risk even further:

It is important to be prepared for an emergency and to know how to give emergency care.

More Information
All of these recommendations make good sense, regardless of the potential problem. For more information on how to get ready for disaster and be safe when disaster strikes, or to register for a first aid and AED/CPR course, please contact your local American Red Cross chapter. You can find it in your telephone directory under "American Red Cross" or through our home page at www.redcross.org under "your local chapter."

For information about your community's specific plans for response to disasters and other emergencies, contact your local office of emergency management.

For information on what a business can do to protect its employees and customers as well as develop business continuity plans, you may want to get a copy of the Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry and/or Preparing Your Business for the Unthinkable from your local American Red Cross chapter or see http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared

For more information about the specific effects of chemical or biological agents, the following Web sites may be helpful:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.bt.cdc.gov

U.S. Department of Energy: www.energy.gov

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: www.hhs.gov

Federal Emergency Management Agency: www.rris.fema.gov

Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov/swercepp

 

 

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