Terrorism

Question 1

Where did the word terrorism originate from?

Answer 1

French Revolution - Regime de la terreur; was a people’s movement to consolidate the government’s power; were organized, deliberate and systematic

Question 2

Rappaport’s Four Periods of Terrorism

Answer 2

19th century with the anarchists, second wave or anti-colonial wave, third wave where radicalism was combined with nationalism, fourth or religious wave that began in the 1980s

Question 3

Two types of terrorism?

Answer 3

Old terrorism, new terrorism

Question 4

Old terrorism

Answer 4

didn’t use indiscriminate violence since it reduced their legitimacy and alienated supporters; secular

Question 5

New Terrorism

Answer 5

willingness to use excessive indiscriminate violence; religious fanaticism

Question 6

How to distinguish terrorism from other crimes

Answer 6

political in aims and motives, violent, designed to have psychological repercussions, conducted by an organization with ties to ideological aims or a terrorist movement, perpetrated by a subnational group/non-state entity

Question 7

Trends in terrorism and fatalities

Answer 7

greater availablity of means, more attacks, more dangerous,networked terrorist organization

Question 8

Jessica Stern’s analysis of AQ

Answer 8

composed of tiers; sleepers with knowledge; operatives involved in intelligence/bomb making, good Muslims who have long-term benefit to the organization, young men who carry out attacks

Question 9

Where do most attacks occur and in increase in what location?

Answer 9

South Asia - South Asia and Near East = 2/3rd of high casualty attacks’ mainly in Afghanistan and Pakistan; Iraq

Question 10

Where do most attacks take place in Africa?

Answer 10

Somalia and Congo (LRA); Rwanda

Question 11

Most common attackers of terrorism?

Answer 11

Sunni extremists, Taliban, Al-Shabaab, and AQ in Iraq

Question 12

Most common types of attacks according to NCTC

Answer 12

Armed attacks, bombings and kidnappings; suicide attacks (Afghanistan, Iraq) = most attacks in Iraq, Afghanistan,Pakistan

Question 13

Who were the most victims of attacks?

Answer 13

Muslims and most were victim to Sunni extremist attacks

Question 14

Demographics of people most often killed in attacks according to NCTC

Answer 14

civilians, police officers, government officials/employees/conractors, press

Question 15

Levels of support for terrorists

Answer 15

Leaders,operational cadre, active & passive supporters

Question 16

Three types of terrorists

Answer 16

Traditional, Waning, Apocalyptic

Question 17

Traditional terrorists

Answer 17

range of activities from political to violence, support of populace is key, represents the majority of terrorists: Al Qaeda

Question 18

Waning terrorists

Answer 18

looking to achieve objectives through political,social,and economic means; violence contrary to objectives, support of populace is paramount = IRA

Question 19

Apocalyptic terrorists

Answer 19

very few, high violence, no negotiation = AUm Shinrikyo

Question 20

Motivations of bioterror?

Answer 20

ideological, strategic, tactical

Question 21

Incentives and constraints with ideological terrorism

Answer 21

consistent with ideology, enahnces status but runs counter to group norms

Question 22

Incentives and constraints with strategic terrorism

Answer 22

gets specific outcomes, blackmail tool, helps build the organization but can be seen as counterproductive and opposed by state sponsors

Question 23

Incentives and constraints with tactical terrorism

Answer 23

exploits target weakness, makes use of dual-use technology, mimics previous attacks but challenges of development and use are high, unpredictable outcome, better conventional alternatives

Question 24

Reasons why terrorists might be interested in BW?

Answer 24

large number of casualties, psychological effect, disruptive effect on economy, easy to manufacture and deploy, easy to bring into a foreign country

Question 25

Tucker’s six characteristics of CBW terrorists

Answer 25

apocalyptic ideology, charismatic leadership, isolation from society, lack of outside constituency, loner/militant subgroup, paranoia/defensive aggression

Question 26

NCTC analysis: country with the most attacks and fatalities due to terrorism

Answer 26

Iraq

Question 27

Where did attacks in the West increase in 2009 by 27%

Answer 27

Colombia