Global Terrorism

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 666.

We are faced with the problem of Global Terrorism which has been called the shadow of the process of Globalization. As the world is becoming one place, so it is that the effects of terrorism have global effects. Also it may be understood that the causes of this global terrorism are likewise global in nature, with disaffected individuals and groups caught up in ideologies of global scope and participating in causes that transcend international and even inter-continental barriers.

Looking to the security side of the globalization analysis, security became so complex and multi-dimensional, traditional national border-setting type of security perception is not capable of recognizing new threats that transcend the national borders. In this context, international terrorism became one of the main concerns with its highly complicated characteristics. Thus, globalized world has to face an immediate threat: international terrorism. This problem has been recognized not only by one nation, but also in the era of globalization when the nations became much more connected and interdependent, it became a threat to international security. Some of the states have witnessed terrorist threats for many years. Terrorism became the main topic on the top agenda for many nations and institutions. Today, global terror is a giant problem for all humanity.

3. Post-reading discussion.

· Do you agree that terrorism has become a problem nowadays?

· Is terrorism a modern problem?

· Terrorism presents a serious problem and affects all countries in the world today. Do you agree or disagree? Please explain your answer.

· Do you know any examples of terrorism in the history of mankind? If yes, give them.

· What is terrorism?

· Why are there terrorists?

· What are the main causes of terrorism?

· What are the latest news about terrorism, terrorists and terroristic attacks?

4. Comprehensive reading.

Read the information. Check if you were right.

WHAT IS ”TERRORISM”?

DEFINITION.

The term terrorism has no precise or widely accepted definition.

Laqueur defines terrorism as “the substrate application of violence or threatened violence intended to sow panic in a society, to weaken or even overthrow the incumbents, and to bring about political change.”

Terrorism can also be defined as acts of violence committed against innocent persons or non- combats that are intended to achieve political ends through fear and intimidation.

The Merriam-Webster defines terrorismas the systematic use of terror especially as means of coercion.

The United States Department of Defense definesterrorism as “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.”

FBI uses this: "Terrorism is the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of politic al or social objectives."

Terrorism is a term used to describe violence or other harmful acts committed (or threatened) against civilians by groups or persons for political or other ideological goals.

Terrorism is a group of people with a common political, religious, or economic ideology who employ illegal violence or the threat of violence as a tactic to intimidate an objective audience in order to meet their goals.

Laqueur and Beck emphasize that with the global terrorism or post-modern terrorism, new concepts, terms and definitions may have to be developed for new realities since studies suggest that there are changes in traditional terrorist acts, motivations, strategy, means, weapons and aims.

SOME FACTS FROM HISTORY.

Terrorism is not a new concept. Terrorism has had a significant role in the world arena since the dawn of history. It has a long and violent history that has taken many forms over the years. In order to fully understand the evolution of terrorism we must pay attention to a few of its key components from history. First, we can mention the French revolution and the regime de la terreur and how it influenced Leftist Marxism and State terror in the Soviet Union. Then, a recent mass act of violent terror occurred during WWII. And at last, the evolution of religious fanaticism. We should also remember that terror itself has changed in the areas of strategy and tools of the trade.

The terrorist threat is changing in ways that make it more dangerous and difficult to counter.

The terrorist motivations in the 1970's were political, but in the 1980's besides politically motivated terrorism, religiously and economically motivated terrorism is observed, and this situation has continued during the 1990's. The religious terrorism started flourishing in the 1990's. Extreme right groups have replaced the terrorism of leftist and anarchic groups. In addition, ethnically motivated terrorism has increased Nowadays terrorist attacks are becoming more lethal. A growing percentage of terrorist attacks are designed to kill as many people as possible. In the 1990s a terrorist incident was almost 20 percent more likely to result in death or injury than an incident two decades ago.

In the 1970's hijacking, kidnapping, bombing, taking hostages were the most common methods used by terrorists, in the 1980's besides these methods chemical weapons started to be used, in the 1990's beyond these conventional methods, two other threats are seen. First is that terrorists started to acquire the WMD, and second is with the increasing use of Internet “information warfare” has emerged. The use of WMD by terrorist increases their potential harm. Terrorists have gained access to destructive technology by the information revolution and technological change. Thus, the new global terror uses technology in communication and knowledge-based technological developments, such as television, mobile phones, Internet and satellite. Even some of them have their own television and radio channels. In addition, these groups can easily save their money in international banks with safe havens and can transfer it all over the world. Thus, as its destructive potential increase through technological advances, the global terrorism has become more dangerous, though the number of attacks has decreased by the late 1990s. Besides, the increase in the number of suicide attacking is radical and dangerous since it is very difficult to take caution for.

Looking at the strategies of terrorist groups, the terrorist groups have both political and terrorist wings, so they have the opportunity to disassociate political leadership from practicing terrorists if something goes wrong. Their operations also have changed their targets- widened their targets from political and economic elites of a nation to financial centers, media, energy infrastructure, etc. Rather than attacking a specific target the global terrorists started more indiscriminative killing against the civilians. Today, it is difficult to trace the terrorists, since the new global terror acts decentralized and deterritorial. Furthermore, the terrorists are interested in publicity and violence, and they do get a lot of publicity in the recent years.

The main feature of modern terrorism is that is not only a mindless act of violence by non- thinking individuals or groups but it is also politics - politics by other means.

CHARACTERISTICS OF TERRORISM

Terrorism is willful destruction of people or property by people not acting on behalf of an established government to redress a real or imaginary injustice attributed to an established government.

Not all cases of willful destruction of people or property are terrorism. The important definitive characteristics of terrorism are:

1. The act of destruction is performed by a person or group of persons not acting on behalf of an established government,

2. The act of destruction is performed to redress a real or imaginary injustice, and

3. The act is aimed directly or indirectly at an established government.

Without these three characteristics an act of willful destruction of people or property is not terrorism. It is either an act of war, or a matter of internal policy, or an ordinary common law crime (murder, arson, etc).

If destruction of people or property is undertaken by or on behalf of an established government against another country, it is considered war, not terrorism.

If destruction of people or property is undertaken by or on behalf of an established government on its own territory, it is considered a matter of policy, not terrorism.

If destruction of people or property is undertaken without justification, it is considered an ordinary common law crime, not terrorism.

If destruction of people or property is not aimed against an established government, but is aimed at a private individual or group, it is considered an ordinary common law crime, not terrorism, even if such act is aimed at redressing a wrong, because disputes between private individuals should be settled through an established legal system operated by an established government, not by taking law in one's own hands.

THE MAIN CAUSES OF TERRORISM:

Poverty. Unemployment. Injustice. Corruption. Lack of Education.

Poverty Alleviation:Poverty seems to be the major cause of terrorism. Lack of resources to make ends meet have triggered in growing this menace. Strong and effective efforts are required to reduce poverty.

Reduce Unemployment:Unemployment is also one of the main causes that help increase terrorism. When people are unemployed, they don't find opportunities to get a job to support their families and eventually they are made pawns in the hands of terrorists.

End Injustice:There is a lot of injustice almost everywhere especially in the third world countries like in the tribal belt between Afghanistan & Pakistan, the situation is very disturbing in terms of obtaining justice. People cannot get speedy justice. Injustice in the system has supported in increasing terrorism and therefore people take laws in their hands.

Corruption:Corruption in our system is increasing day by day. Political leaders especially in the third world countries seem to have no concern with the economic problems and terrorism and they are busy in making money through unfair means. They believe that they won't be able to get next chance to come in power.

Lack of Education:Lack of education generally force young generation to join the hands of anti-social elements. There is a dire need to create opportunities for people so that they could educate their children. If people are given education at free of cost, or even minimizing the costs the trend of tilting towards extremism and terrorism can be reduced.

HOW TO STOP TERRORISM

The anti-terror movement is spreading throughout the globe.

Terrorism, not a new concept for the world, must be stopped. However, there is no easy way to end a concept that has no physical boundaries or locations. In recent years, various strategies employed to suspend terror activities failed; these efforts have primarily required terrorists to stay on the move, often harbored by nations unwilling to extradite them. Fortunately, the elusive nature of terrorism has led to international cooperation for stopping it, allowing many strong nations to combine their powers to end the activity.

“Terrorism cannot be stopped with violence, that only breeds more terrorism. Terrorism can only be eradicated by removing the root cause of the terrorism, generally political policies.” While it might be necessary to react with violence to a terrorist event, violence will not combat terrorism in the long run, violence is only likely to breed more terrorism. Today all over the world countries try to bring into life different measures on how to defeat terrorism. Many countries have special units designated to handle terrorist threats. Besides various security agencies, there are elite tactical units, also known as special mission units, whose role is to directly engage terrorists and prevent terrorist attacks.

5. Post-reading discussion.

1. According to the text, what are the many factors that have encouraged the growth and strengthening of terrorism in the world?

2. What are the typical acts of terrorism mentioned in the text?

3. How have threats of terrorism changed? Give your own examples of new types of terrorism.

4. Why has religious terrorism grown in the world recently?

5. Is there any difference between a civil war and a terrorist attack?

6. What can governments do to fight terrorism? Would it be effective, or would it only exasperate the problem?

7. What can you and other people do as individuals to fight terrorism? Please explain.

8. How much freedom would you be willing to surrender if it meant the prevention of another terrorist attack? For example, should countries close their borders? Or should everyone carry electronic identification?