Lecture 5: Counterterrorism and Military Technology

Question 1

Has there been a recent rise in terrorism?

Answer 1

Depends on how you define terrorism: the recent increase in terrorism corresponds with civil wars

Question 2

Which areas of the world see most terrorism?

Answer 2

The Middle East, Africa, and Asia

Question 3

Is terrorism as dangerous as it sounds?

Answer 3

Terrorism is very low on global causes of death; in fact, bathtubs are more dangerous to individuals

Question 4

How can the ANC in South Africa be viewed as both terrorists and freedom fighters?

Answer 4

Depends on who characterizes it as terrorism; they were terrorists to the apartheid government, but freedom fighters to supporters of South African liberation

Question 5

What is the conceptual critique of terrorism by Tilly? 3 points

Answer 5

1. The terms terror, terrorist, and terrorism are highly contested and used differently by different actors to serve their own interests
2. they are used as a political tool to justify the use of force against certain groups and to delegitimize their grievances and demands
3. labelling many things terrorism makes it hard to identify the process that creates it

Question 6

Behavior-specific definition of terrorism - 3 points

Answer 6

1. Terrorism as a carefully planned tactic of political violence in asymmetric warfare
2. Usually indiscriminate violence directed at non-combatants
3. To punsih past behavior and deter future behavior

Question 7

Actor-specific definition of terrorism

Answer 7

Terrorism as a tactic of armed groups that operate underground, e.g. groups that lack territorial control

Question 8

Working analytic definition of terrorism (and 3 points)

Answer 8

Communicative violence directed against non-combatants undertaken by a politically oriented group
1. Does not include a goal
2. Includes an audience and target
3. Can be carried out by a wide range of agents

Question 9

3 types of terrorism

Answer 9

1. State terrorism (repression)
2. Domestic terrorism (leftist vs. ethno-national)
3. Transnational terrorism (post-1998, religion-political)

Question 10

Can IS be classified as a terrorists?

Answer 10

They have terrorist activities internationally and in main countries of operation, but they also had territorial control and engaged in other forms of political violence -> highlights that activities of a group are not only terrorism

Question 11

What 2 goals are terrorism ineffective in achieving?

Answer 11

1. Outcome goals (e.g. victory)
2. Communication of terrorists’ goals (come agree as unable to agree on political compromise)

Question 12

What 3 goals are terrorism effective in achieving?

Answer 12

1. Demonstrate illegitimacy of the state when they respond repressively
2. Achieve unity and commitment within the organization
3. Violence leads to social polarization and greater support for the organization

Question 13

What is the main strategic aim of terrorism?

Answer 13

To turn their military weakness (low numbers, lack of weapons etc.) into a strength

Question 14

3 causes of terrorism according to Crenshaw

Answer 14

1. Situational factors: facilitating conditions (oppression, injustice) vs. specific triggers (e.g. unfair election)
2. Strategic aims long-term and short-term (turn weakness into strength)
3. Individual motivations such as high risk acceptance, in-group dynamics, and vengeance

Question 15

Definition: Process of mobilization

Answer 15

Gradual growth of commitment and opposition

Question 16

3 parts of the process of mobilization of terrorists (and =)

Answer 16

1. Ideological indoctrination (common cause)
2. In-group dynamics (isolation from regular society)
3. Importance of political repression for moblization (revenge on repressors)

= process of escalation where context matters

Question 17

The process of mobilization is also a process of

Answer 17

Escalation

Question 18

Two types of counterterrorism measures

Answer 18

1. Static defense: protect sites/systems/borders, making it harder to commit successful terrorist attacks
2. Active defense/offense: limit groups’ ability to perpetrate attacks through intelligence (detect and disrupt), finances (stop state sponsors), and leaders (targeted killings)

Question 19

How is there a trade off between security and liberty?

Answer 19

For border security, you need to limit immigration which is important for economic/social reasons; for good intelligence you need surveillance etc.

Question 20

What does it mean to transfer risk

Answer 20

Minimize fatalities by transferring the risk to enemy combatants through technology like drones and stealth combers

Question 21

Definition: drone

Answer 21

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are remotely piloted or self-piloted aircraft that can carry cameras, sensors, communications equipment or other payloads

Question 22

When did the US use the first weaponized drone?

Answer 22

In Afghanistan in 2001

Question 23

3 Advantages of drones

Answer 23

1. Better and timely intelligence (better and longer tracking of targets)
2. Precise targeting
3. Avoid capture or loss of manned vehicles and pilots (projecting power without vulnerability)

Question 24

Legal framework of drones

Answer 24

Clear in battle zones, but problematic in regions that are not at war with the country using drones

Question 25

5 Points about the US drone war in Pakistan

Answer 25

1. Targeted “active terrorists” who seek to harm American targets
2. CIA’s mission changed from watch and wait to capture or kill
3. Followed principles of distinction and proportionality
4. Limited transparency on strikes and consequences
5. CIA had too much leeway

Question 26

4 advantages of leadership decapitation

Answer 26

1. Targeting those responsible for leadership and guidance, creating confusion among followers and successors, diverting the organization from pursuing its goals
2. Less risky than sending in ground troops
3. No need to detain suspects
4. Limited consequences for civilians compared to bombings

Question 27

Playstation mentality

Answer 27

Operators are distanced from the physical act of killing and the public from their human costs; killing becomes like playing playstation, no remorse or responsibility

Question 28

4 reasons why drone strikes are contested

Answer 28

1. Moral considerations like civilian deaths and playstation mentality
2. Strategic considerations such as inspiring others to join terrorist groups to get revenge after killings
3. Ineffectiveness - only 2% of combatants killed were leaders of militant groups, and it prevents them from collecting information from captives
4. Long-term strategic concerns, such as the opportunity of waging perpetual war that never ends

Question 29

Reading: Obama’s drone war - Trevor McCrisken

Answer 29

Obama adminsitration vowed to fight terrorism with greater effectiveness and morality than Bush, adhering to US values

But clear policy shift towards greater reliance on targeted killing by drone strikes. Advantages being no US soldiers killed, disrupting terrorist networks, and a decline in terrorist attacks

BUT raises extensive ethical, political, and legal questions. Success of counter-terrorism increasingly measured by number of suspects killed by drones which is problematic because 1) there is uncertainty about the accuracy of the reports, 2) the dead cannot prove their innocence, 3) terrorism suspects are assumed to be terrorists once they are dead, and 4) the lack of interrogation and trial prevents assessment of their role in terrorism

= immoral way that contradicts core values of US. Risking anger at US worldwide and damaging relations with allies

Use of drones could make the war costless in terms of US lives, leading to risk of perpetual war

Question 30

Reading: Confessions of a drone warrior - Michael Power

Answer 30

Personal account of operating drones for US military.

Drones offer tactical advantages: precision of targeting, monitoring suspects from a safe distance, minimizing harm to US personnel, cost-effective, disrupting terrorist networks

Questioning the morality of drones: emotionally draining for operators, human errors, operators making difficult split-second decisions, killing people with no consequences, generating hostility toward US, civilian casualties

Need for greater transparency and accountability in intelligence gathering, and policymakers should be careful when considering using drones