Terrorism Exam 1.1

Question 1

How many different definitions of Terrorism are there?

Answer 1

109

Question 2

What are some other terms terrorists may call themselves?

Answer 2

• Freedom and Liberation Movements (Ex. NLF)
• Armies (Ex. Popular Liberation Army)
• Actual Self-Defense Movements (Ex. The Jewish Defense Organization)
• Righteous Vengeance (Ex. Palestinian Revenge Organization)

Question 3

“Freedom” is sometimes gained through terrorism. What countries experienced this is WWII era?

Answer 3

Israel, Algiers, Kenya, and Cyprus

Question 4

How is terrorism a social construct?

Answer 4

It is defined by different people within varying social and political realities

Question 5

Why has the term terrorism spawned heated debate?

Answer 5

• Considered nebulous and derogatory
• Term evokes a variety of politically charged responses

Question 6

What are the primary reasons that no single definition of terrorism will ever be successful?

Answer 6

• Different meanings in different time periods
• Different meanings in different contexts within same time periods

Question 7

When did the U.S. support terrorist regimes?

Answer 7

During the Cold War:

• Somoza in Nicaragua
• Batista in Cuba

Question 8

What would an equation be for terrorism?

Answer 8

Terrorism = political goal + violence + civilians

Question 9

What elements are necessary to consider something terrorism?

Answer 9

Political goal, Violence, Civilian Harm

Question 10

What are the differences between Terrorists vs. Guerrillas?

Answer 10

Guerrilla warfare usually takes place during a situation in which their violence is within parameters of war.

Terrorists often target civilians and commit violence for political goal(s) and publicity.

Question 11

Elaborate on how social context influences the definition for terrorism. What are examples?

Answer 11

Some groups that are considered to be terrorists view themselves differently.

Example:
- Israel sees their actions as self-defense, while Lebanon views those actions as terrorism
- U.S. Government views Hezbollah as a terrorist group, while Jordan views Hezbollah as a legitimate militia

Question 12

What is the Just War Doctrine?

Answer 12

Elements required before entering war

Question 13

What are the 6 elements of the Just War Doctrine?

Answer 13

• Competent authority
• Just cause
• Last resort
• Probability of success
• Proportionality
• Right intention

Question 14

What is considered in “just cause” in the Just War Doctrine?

Answer 14

• Substance of cause (Ex. to protect innocent, to restore rights)
• Comparative Justice (Ex. Your right should be better than the others’)

Question 15

What does “proportionality” mean in the Just War Doctrine?

Answer 15

Expectations and the cost for war should be proportional

Question 16

2 Requirements while in the war, according to Jus in Bello?

Answer 16

• Positive discrimination, i.e. just and fair conduct (Ex. No intentional attacks against combatants and nonmilitary targets)
• Proportionality

Question 17

What are the 2 kinds of proportionality in Jus in Bello?

Answer 17

• Specific Proportionality (Ex. Prohibits dropping a bomb in order to take over a station)
• General Proportionality: considering the whole context of war (Ex. Why 2 A-bombs were dropped on Japan instead of 10)

Question 18

What are the Geneva and Hague Conventions’ rules of warfare?

Answer 18

• No taking civilians as hostages
• Regulate the treatment of POWs
• Recognize neutral territory and neutral states
• Diplomats have special status
• No use of chemical weapons

Question 19

What is Selective Terrorism, and who developed it?

Answer 19

(Michael Collins)
- Strategy of targeting noncombatants and civilians, often with the intention of gathering audiences for their cause
- Also had a focus on targeting security forces and their symbols of authority.

Question 20

What was Michael Collins’ reasoning for selective terrorism?

Answer 20

• He thought indiscriminate terror was invaluable
• Random, large-scale attacks would alienate public opinion