Exam 1: Principles of Terrorism and Theories of Terrorism

social disorganization theory application: Banlieues

- terrorism noted within zone of transition - Banlieues: mixed population (various Arab countries) of different immigrants that do not stay permanently; want to achieve certain status and move on - area is extremely poor; high poverty rates - attackers of Paris bombings residents of Banlieues - France has attracted most freedom fighters in the world

trait theory

- "most terrorists are males", Y chromosome - small applications, though has been endorsed as theory of explaining terrorism

"terrere"

- "to frighten" - Latin route - Reign of Terror (1793/French Revolution): 300K arrested, 17K killed, enemies of revolution

maritime terrorism

- 2% of terrorism - less common; easier to plan on land, organizations do not have equipment, does not attract enough media attention - 36 networks engage in maritime terrorism

Europe

- 3,000 terrorists living in Europe/ 20 terror networks - porous borders, open-border policies - greater amount of refugees = more terrorists entering countries - home of organizations committed to War on Terror

Who is targeting cities today?

- Al-Qaeda - Hamas - ISIS

Libya (failed state)

- Arab Springs- began in Tenesha; series of political revolutions in Arab world - Gadhafi eliminated from power; Libya became failed state - newest failed state - ISIS expanding to countries including Libya

drones

- ISIS use of drones to carry explosives to gain intelligence - easily purchased - ISIS Phantom 1- drop explosive over oil facility, leading to economic drawbacks

Urban Areas

- Irish Republican Army (IRA) first to engage in urban terrorism - ETA (Basque Homeland and Freedom) second to engage in urban terrorism

Israel/Palestine

- Israel targeted since 1948 - Israel achieved state, Palestine did not - Israel expanded beyond original borders; Arad-Israeli War (1967)

Afghanistan (failed state)

- Soviet forces invade Afghanistan in 1970s and implement communism - U.S. did not want communism to expand, aids rebel fighters with assets to defeat Soviets - Soviets retreat in 1989; by 1996 Taliban and Osama bin Laden forces came to power - now a place of training grounds for Al-Qaeda forces

strain theory application example: Tamerlan Tsarnaev

- Tsarnaev from central Asia, never able to be issued American citizenship - good boxer, supposed to box in Olympics to represent America; no citizenship, no competition - possible backlash equates Boston Bombing

social media and terrorism

- Twitter; provides information - can also provide false intelligence - citizen journalism

Why target cities?

- ample targets; many things to choose from - mass casualty; helps shed awareness for cause, upsets normalcy of life - create fear; change the way people think/act - media attention; foundation for recruitment, awareness

strain theory application example: ISIS

- attracting people to leave regions to come to ISIS where institutions have failed - offers financial incentives to come: no taxes. stipend, medical care, food, electricity - How to Make Your Journey to Syria

History of terrorism

- dating back to Ancient Rome - collapse of Ottoman Empire; westernization of Christian and Aryan race - American Revolution and Civil War - Japan WWII; first suicide bombing

Benefits of social media

- free; everyone can access - user friendly - gain followers in support of cause - communicate to global audience

What are terrorists targeting?

- iconic; something important to country - economic damage; financial institutions damaged - mass damage/casualty - weapons; nuclear waste, modes of transportation (i.e. planes, trucks, oil)

Iraq

- most terrorism incidents in last year - tops category for suicide bombs - Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Syria collect 75% of all events

martyrs

- person killed become of religious beliefs - to kill someone because of their beliefs

Somalia (failed state)

- president assassinated in 1969 followed by military coupe and dictator until 1991 - Clan warfare erupted; leader Mohamed Aidid - 1993 U.S. invaded Somalia to overthrow Aidid; operation unsuccessful - Somalia still vulnerable/lone country - Somaliland, Puntland, and Somalia (sub-region): stable regions, experiencing functional government with weak features

piracy

- relationship between pirates and terrorists mutual - coastal access allows for gathering of items needed to perform action

strain theory application example: Hamas

- situated in Palestinian regions - barriers/security walls in place to minimize terrorism activity - blames Israel for situation; common people cannot get by - terrorists (Hamas) provides social comforts: funding, schools, medicines, institutions, protective services - second most wealthy terrorist organization - norms of Hamas will eventually be accepted

Where is terrorism occurring?

1. 106 countries experienced at least 1 terror attack (2/3 countries) 2. North America has fewest terrorism events. 3. South Asia has most terrorism events.

2016 statistics on terrorism

1. 12,000 terrorism incidents in 2016 2. 25k people killed as result of incidents 3. cost to combat in global economy $1.7 trillion

Tactics of terrorism

1. IED 2. suicide bombs 3. beheadings and executions 4. cyber attacks

Waves of terrorism (4)

1. anarchist wave (1880s-1920) 2. anti-colonial wave (1920s-1950s) 3. new left wave (1960s- 1979) 4. religious wave (1979-present)

Why are humans aggressive?

1. challenge to threat 2. social acceptance 3. need for space/resources 4. jealousy

Funding terrorism

1. cheap and sustaining industry; average attack under 10k 2. terrorist organizations wealthy

3 components of terrorism:

1. create destruction 2. ideological belief 3. religious component (established during 1970s)

How terrorist groups make money

1. drug trafficking 2. extortion/kidnapping 3. bank robbery; seizing assets/money from institutions 4. taxes 5. online banking; getting people to support cause/donate 6. counterfeiting; making fake money, flood market with cheap currency 7. selling antiquities on black market; seize artifacts and sell on market 8. natural resources; oil, diamonds, ivory 9. piracy; mutual benefit

purpose of terrorism

1. express grievances/frustrations 2. bring awareness to cause 3. change the normalcy of everyday life 4. create political change

Purpose of terrorism

1. express grievances/struggles 2. bring awareness to their cause 3. change the normalcy of everyday life 4. create political change

concepts of social disorganization theory

1. high poverty 2. high mobility; high migration rates; residents moving in and out of area 3. heterogenous population; mix of different cultures - collective efficacy; social imbalance and complications initiate crime

Ideologies of terrorism (5)

1. left-wing extremism 2. right-wing extremism 3. separatists 4. anti-government 5. single-issue

Why join a terror network?

1. social network; friends and family invite, familial past 2. strong grievances against government 3. deep religious/political beliefs that terror is for greater cause 4. economic pressures to support family/oneself

Terrorism tools

1. staffing; organizations well staffed, each person has role to fulfill 2. arsenal of weapons; explosives, drones, firearms 3. operational space; countries that are lawless, no apprehensions 4. training; facilities, books, manuals 5. YouTube; Hamas' personalized channel 6. intelligence/counterintelligence; large amounts of time to plan attacks, Google Earth, Google Maps 7. modes of communication; chat-rooms, androids

Who are terrorists?

1. young males (18-23); males of this age able to be influenced, lack of family/social support 2. well-educated; attended some college, degrees in engineering, medicine, social sciences (exception: suicide bombers) 3. middle class; not extremely wealthy/not poor 4. local; understand struggles of country the live in; understand the cause

Khalid and Brahim El-Bakraoui

Brussels attacks

wahhabism

Islamic fundamentalism; radical use of jihad

Salah and Ibrahim Abdelslam

Paris attacks

sub-culture theory

a combination of social learning theory, labeling theory, and rational choice theory - used to describe gangs and terrorism; terrorism essentially much more violent gang

right-wing extremism

against the establishment - viewed as hate groups; fear or hatred against those who are different; ethnocentrism - KKK, Neo-Nazis

human behavior

aggression- sub-broken down into 2 categories: - instrumental or expressive

social learning theory

also known as differential association theory - developed by Sutherland; behavior learned in intimate groups - behavior is innate and modeled by following others; learned through the acts of other individuals - behavior must be reinforced - extremism is taught, model behavior (ISIS in-person courses, madrassas)

caliphate

an Islamic state where political and religious leaders are the same; trying to establish an empire

single-issue

anti-technological; trying to fight against technological innovations - anti-abortion, Animal Liberation Front

geography/country size

as countries increase in size, terrorism increases - offers areas to operate/train - strain on government/military - terrorism thrives in large, spaced out countries; lack of control over citizens as opposed to small countries

Akers on social learning theory

behavior is learned in non-social context - YouTube - TV (commercials/shows); Pioneers of Tomorrow (Hamas) - Videogames; ISIS - Books/literature; Mujahedeen Poisons Handbook, Encyclopedia of the Afghan Jihad, Inspire Magazine (samir Khan)

Tamerlan and Dzokhar Tsarnaev

brothers; Boston bombers

Merton on strain theory

builds on Durkheim's classifications; defined anomie: breakdown of social norms - anomie seen in failed states - "goals and means": means are process of achieving goals; legitimate means (money, car, jobs) and illegitimate means (criminal acts, etc.)

fragile states

countries that could fail - have some form of working government institutions, therefore state has some form of money - suitable environment for terrorist - Yemen, Syria, Nigeria, Haiti

social disorganization theory: zone of transition (ZOT)

crime and delinquency 6x-10x higher within zone of transition - 5 zones: 1. central business district 2. transitional zone 3. working class zone 4. residential zone 5. commuter zone - poorest zone is transitional zone; little to no investment, abandoned homes/factories, people moving in and out (high mobility)

theories of terrorism

criminology- the study of criminal behavior - subdivided into biological and ecological studies

Syria

currently ruled by Bashar Al-Assad - last country to endure Arab-Springs - more than 100k people have died in Syrian Civl War

structure of government

democratic states with high civil liberties more prone to terrorism - democratic more willing to change/negotiate with terrorist organizations - new democracies at risk; vulnerability

separatists

desire an independent state - trying to separate from institution - ETA; trying to separate themselves from Spanish and French rule

routine activity theory

developed by Cohen and Felson; 3 components: 1. motivated offender; poliitical ideological beliefs 2. viable target; mass casualty 3. absence of capable guardian; absence of law enforcement - each component must be present to explain theory - countries have started to harden targets; prevent guardians - places blame on victim

strain theory

developed by Emile Durkheim; organic vs. mechanical society - organic- institutional dependent - mechanical- self-dependent; rural setting able to self-sustain society - strain builds on population and institution; leads to institutional failure - inability to provide basic services (water, food, electricity)

labeling theory

developed by Lemert- primary and secondary deviance; deviance not an inherent quality of an act - psychological perspective that society is not accepting of you; society is "labeling" as 'terrorist', 'criminal' - resorting back to old habits

social disorganization theory

developed by Shaw and McKay in 1940s; trying to look at human behavior - argued that it is not abnormal people, it is people living in abnormal conditions that cause crime - not biological, purely where person is being raised

Old terrorism

discriminate bombings - not used to create mass damage, simply targets one institution - targeting institution causing oppression

economic sanctions

economic sanctions- restricting the trade of desired items - sanctions increase motive to attack; more sanctions = more terrorism - income inequality - per-capita income - education

madrassas

educational institutions

left-wing extremism

for the establishment - trying to provide equal distribution of money/resources to all - predominantly in Latin America (FARC)

Adburajok and Khadaffy Janjaloni

founders of Abu Sayaaf in Philippines; both brothers believed in extreme violent behavior

mujahedeen

holy warriors/soldiers of Allah; individuals fighting for the cause

rational choice theory

humans are rational actors; risk and reward/pros and cons basis - cost benefit analysis - events/targets well-planned/executed - understand purpose and motive - well-educated - mentally stable

strain

inability to provide basic services or legitimate opportunities - leads to frustrations amongst people; initiates illegitimate industries - strain.. frustration.. rebellion.. restoration or new power (terrorist organization assumes government position)

jihad

internal struggle/war against non-Muslims

anti-government

lack of/do not believe in the government - Timothy McVeigh; targeted federal government building

nations without states (nation without a state)

nations alone do not have the ability for self government; nations are people driven - groups of people that do not have a country: Kurds, Basque people, Chechnya, Palestinian, Tibetan

kafir/infidels

non-believers

New terrorism

non-discriminate bombings - broad bombings, targeting people rather than institutions - creates mass damage

caliph

political leader of Muslim state

Yemen

poorest country in Middle East - projected to run out of water and oil - AQAP Al-Qaeda branch based in Yemen - attack on USS Cole in port in Yemen

Haiti

poorest country in Western hemisphere - high unemployment rate - government corrupt - access to clean drinking water is poor

fundamentalism

preserving the ideology/beliefs of your state

expressive behavior

purpose is to inflict harm - offensive in nature - terrorists offensive in nature

instrumental behavior

secure or protect something - defensive in nature

electromagnetic pulse weapon (EMP)

sends surge of energy to overload system - useful in shutting down power grid - damages infrastructure/air space

triggering events

sort of event that sparks further terrorist attacks - natural disasters

state enabled terrorism

states allowing terrorism to continue - states not necessarily putting pressure on organizations to discontinue terrorism - state may be pushing counter-terrorism measures - Mali, Mogadishu, Philippines

state sponsored terrorism

states that endorse terrorism - Iran directly funded Hezbollah- Khobar tower Bombing - North Korea and Turkey

state perpetrated terrorism

states that use resources to directly engage in terrorism - worst kind of terrorism - Pan American 103 flight bomb directly funded by IRA

state involved terrorism

states where terrorism is occurring within their borders - terror events include genocides (Armenia, Germany, Iraq, Rwanda, Sudan, Syria - states indirectly involves in terrorism

failed states

states- countries, in terms of NS failed states- countries without governments; government has failed/collapsed, do not have fully functional government - Somalia, Afghanistan, Libya

hard targets

targets relatively secure; harder for terrorists to attack

soft targets

targets with minimal security; areas where one may easily walk in/access

Nigeria

top 5 terrorism events; 2nd country in suicide bombings - religious division between north and south - protected to run out of oil - Boko Haram; sole objective to create Islamic state in Nigeria - MEND (Emancipation for the Niger Delta); trying to establish freedom for people of Nigeria

population variables

total population- as population of location increases, terrorism also increases - population increase creates train on resources/space - refugees allow for more radicalization, lack of political voice, camps ungoverned, strain on resources

terrorism

violent acts intended to upset the normalcy of life (destruction of buildings.infrastructure, or killing of people)

state weakness

weakening institutions (AKA state failure) more prone to terrorism - low risk of capture - incubators of training and operating; no authoritative figures - large terror groups correlated with state failure - no markets/ability to obtain illegal goods - no infrastructure present - no media outlets/communication - no internal competition/businesses

weapon trade

weapons necessary tool for terrorism; positive correlation between weapons and terrorism

South Sudan

worst failed state