Terrorism Exam 2.1

Question 1

What is the Picasso Effect?

Answer 1

“Once Picasso touches your life, you will never remain the same; even after, without”

Question 2

List the characteristics of New Terrorism

Answer 2

• Transnational
• Religiously motivated
• More violent
• Operate globally
• Better financed
• Better trained
• More difficult to penetrate
• Less hierarchical structures, flatter networks
• Skillful use of internet and media
• Asymmetrical methods

Question 3

What are asymmetrical methods in terrorism?

Answer 3

Unconventional tactics, in which a group that is smaller and weaker in resources attacks a stronger group (ex. bombings, hijackings)

Question 4

What is a Force Multiplier?

Answer 4

A method of increasing the strength of an attack without increasing the strength of the military unit itself

Question 5

What are some force multipliers in terrorism, and how are they effective?

Answer 5

• Technology: Allows a small group to launch deadly attacks
• Media Coverage: Allows a small group to appear to be more politically important
• Religion: Allows a group to go beyond standard political and social boundaries, increasing violence and decreasing opportunities for negotiation
• Transnational Support: Allows a group to increase their ability to move and hide within a country

Question 6

What is Cyberterrorism and why is it so popular for terrorists?

Answer 6

Definition: The use of computers to attack virtual targets or physical attacks on computer networks

• It is an attractive, low-risk strategy

Question 7

What is considered to be the greatest fear for cyberterrorism?

Answer 7

The possibility of catastrophic or multiple system failures

Question 8

What has been and still is the most common weapon of terrorism?

Answer 8

Bombing

Question 9

What is the Philosophy of the Bomb?

Answer 9

The only way to communicate with the social order is to destroy it (1850’s, Anarchists)

Question 10

What is Suicide Terrorism?

Answer 10

Willingness of individuals to sacrifice their lives to benefit their primary group, (ex. family, military unit, ethnic group, or country)

Question 11

What are characteristics of suicide terrorists?

Answer 11

• Believe that sacrificing their own lives is for a “greater good”
• Diverse, no single profile
  • Wealthy, impoverished; Could have a bright future; Young, old; Male, female

Question 12

What did Bruce Hoffman say about suicide terrorism?

Answer 12

Suicide terrorism is a psychological weapon designed to induce paralysis in one’s opponent

Question 13

Why is suicide terrorism so popular?

Answer 13

• Is a strategic tool
• Works
• Is cheap
• Is difficult to prevent
• Gives small group power to coerce large governments
• Are more lethal than other kinds of attacks
• Strike more fear in target audience
• Each suicide attack hints at future horrific violence
• Is a strategy designed to increase expectations of political victory

Question 14

What did Robert Pape believe?

Answer 14

(2005) There are 3 factors that must be present before a suicide terror campaign can occur:

• Nationalistic or ethnic group must be resistant to the occupation of a foreign power
• A foreign power must have a democratic government whose voters will not allow the people in the occupied area to be slaughtered or subdued
• A difference in the religions of the occupying power and the people living under occupation

Question 15

Why do groups choose terrorism over other methods?

Answer 15

• Last resort
• “Need” to be heard
• Sense of betrayal
• Victims of violence often become violent people
• Weapon of the weak (weak being those who lack numbers and conventional military power)
• Gain recognition and attention
• Inspires resistance by example
• Provoking government repression
• Disrupt and discredit the government
• Impatience and dramatic failures of alternative methods
• Overreaction