Chapter 13 International Terrorism

1. Chapter 13International Terrorism Global Issue I

2. Introduction • How can you define terrorism? • What is your description of a terrorist? • Is this something you think everyone would agree on? Why or why not?

3. Terrorism • A strategy by which subnational groups not recognized as legitimate by the states they oppose seek to resist those states by targeting non-state actors • Meant to spread fear and disrupt flow of everyday life • Usually seek a political or military response

4. Definition of Terrorism • There are many view points from which one can draw to describe terrorism • Not one definition is correct • Depends on where you stand on the situation • Freedom fighter vs. Terrorist • One group claims terrorist, another claims freedom fighter • Goes back to cultural misunderstandings and culture

5. Roots of Terrorism • Rise of Colonialism • European colonial powers were imperialist in their colonies • Insurgencies developed to combat this imperialism • Anarchists • The most global terrorist movement of the colonial era • Between the 1870’s and World War I, assassinated three kings, two presidents, and two prime ministers • Bombed railway cars and financial districts in Europe and North America

6. Terrorism Today • Widely distributed around the globe • Iraq is currently a leading site due to the United States’ occupation • Africa, South America, and Asia have seen an increased number of terrorist attacks • Staggering numbers of casualties • In one year Africa suffered 5,379 deaths as a result of terrorist attacks, the highest per year of any country • The U.S. holds second place with 4,465 deaths in 2001

7. What Causes Terrorism? • Activities by states • Most of the time, terrorism is an opposition to a state’s way of doing things • “State terrorism” refers to the use by states of retaliatory bombing, death squads, torture, etc. • “State-sponsored terrorism” occurs when states harbor and sometimes support terrorist enemies of another state

8. Globalization’s Role In Terrorism • Globalization has opened up new opportunities for terrorists • Communication networks allow terrorists to more easily communicate with the public • Because people move from place to place for work and tourism so frequently, terrorists can slip through the cracks • Allows for relationships to be built between other illegal activity groups such as drug traffickers to benefit from one another

9. Misconceptions of Terrorism • Terrorism is not an inherently religious act • No religion is more prone to producing terrorists • Stereotyping occurs due to larger scale terrorist attacks that receive media attention