Unit 05: Trends/Methods/Tactics Flashcards
Terrorists use a range of tactics, what are the three traditional tactics?
Assassination, Armed assault, and Bombings/suicide bombings
Terrorists are likely to target what type of location?
Where an attack has the potential to do the greatest harm
What are some ways in which a terrorist can inflict harm? (5)
Killing or injuring persons, Causing panic/and or disruption, Damaging the economy, Destroying property, and Demoralizing the community
In 2022, did the deaths from terrorism fall or rise by nine percent?
Fall
Which country remained the most impacted by terrorism for the fourth consecutive year, despite attacks and deaths falling by 75% and 58% respectively>
Afghanistan
Fill in the blanks:
The number of countries experiencing _________ and _________ in terrorism deaths remained roughly the same in 2022, with 25 countries recording __________, while another 24 countries recorded _________.
Increases, decreases, reductions, increases
Fill in the blanks:
Terrorist attacks became ____ ______ in 2022, killing on average 1.7 people per attack in 2022 compared to 1.3 deaths per attack in 2021.
More deadly
Terrorist attacks became more deadly in 2022, killing on average 1.7 people per attack in 2022 compared to 1.3 deaths per attack in 2021. This is the first increase in what rate in how many years?
lethality, five years
What remains the primary driver of terrorism?
Violent conflict
Attacks in countries involved in conflict are how many more times deadlier than attacks in peaceful countries?
Seven
The majority of terrorist attacks involve the use of what kind of materials and devices that are typically considered conventional attacks?
explosive, incendiary
Under what circumstance are explosives, such as with a car or truck bomb, destroying an occupied building, classified as weapons of mass destruction?
When used to inflict high casualties.
Explosives may be used to disseminate what kinds of materials? (3)
Chemical, Biological, and Radiological
What are the two phases of blast pressure?
Positive and Negative
What are the three things that occur during the positive-pressure phase?
Shock front leads, striking anything in its path with a hammering force
Continues outwards in expanding radius until energy diminishes
Energy dissipates due to distance or because it transfers to objects in path
What are the three things that occur during the negative-pressure phase?
Displaced atmosphere rushes back in to fill the vacuum left at the center of the explosion
Structures damaged in the initial blast can be further damaged
Lasts about three times longer than the positive-pressure phase
What determines the size of the explosion?
The quantity and type of explosives.
What size is the hot zone?
It can be limited to a small area or extend for blocks
What are two examples of secondary hazards caused by an explosion?
breaking glass and any degree of structural collapse
Why are Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) relatively easy to make? (4)
Can be constructed in almost any location or setting
Not commercially manufactured; they are homemade
Usually constructed for a specific target
Can be contained within almost any object
How should you respond to an IED/explosive event? (5)
NEVER touch or handle a suspected device, even if someone else already has
Do not use two-way radios, cellphones, or mobile data terminals (MDT) within a minimum of 300ft (90m) of any device or suspected device
Use intrinsically safe communication equipment within the isolation zone
Note unusual activities or persons at the scene and report observations to law enforcement
Limit personnel exposure until the risk of secondary devices is eliminated
Fill in the blanks:
Terrorists seek to link ______ _______ with “_________ ________” such as _____ and _________ attention.
Terror methods, Desirable outcomes, Media, Political
In terms of Media and Political Attention, success may be measured in what way?
in simple terms of publicity for the group and its cause
Fill in the blanks:
In terms of media and political attention, Terrorists may be _________ to how they are _________ in newspapers and on TV, and they may even _____ strategies to shift the ______ of coverage.
Sensitive, Portrayed, Shift, Nature
In terms of media and political attention some terrorists are experts at what?
Media Manipulation
Fill in the blanks:
Terrorists have an impact on an audience. Whether the broader population is comprised of those a group hopes to __________/__________ or those the group hopes to _______/_____, the audience is “______ __.”
Intimidate/Manipulate, Inspire/Rally, Played to
In relation to the impact terrorists have on their audience, what to people fear and how do terrorists intensify and broaden this fear?
Victimization, using video images
How can media manipulation fail?
If the message is off-base or otherwise does not inspire a distinct reaction
What can improve the profile of a terrorist group?
Forcing a foe to give concessions, big or small.
What allows the terrorist group to manipulate its enemy and how?
Kidnapping/hostage-taking.
Pay the ransom or comply with other demands and hostages will be released
The group looks “honourable” when it fulfills its promise to release those held.
True or False, is the new terrorism less violent?
False, it’s more violent
What did terrorists want under the old terrorism vs the new terrorism?
Attention vs Mass Casualties
True or False, regarding terrorism today, terrorists want Mass casualties over attention.
False, they want BOTH
In the past, dominant terrorist activities included what?
The abduction of individuals or groups such as airline passengers
What was the terrorist’s objective of abduction in the past?
Extortion of political and/or financial concessions
Why is the New Terrorism truly global? (5)
Conducted by Transnational, Non-State Actors
In the 1970s and 1980s, terrorism was mostly local
Primarily ideologically motivated
Nationalistic in nature
Terrorists pursued clearly identifiable political, economic, and social goals.
How is the New Terrorism Well-Trained? (5)
Sophisticated communications techniques
Use of the Internet
Encryption
Financial precautions
Special Operations
Name 7 of the 15 Indicators of explosive/Incendiary attacks.
Warning or threat of an attack or received intelligence
Reports of an explosion
Explosion
Accelerant odours
Multiple fires or explosions
Incendiary device or bomb components
Unexpectedly heavy burning or high temperatures
Unusually fast-burning fires
Unusually coloured smoke or flames
Presence of propane or other flammable gas cylinders in unusual locations
Unattended packages, backpacks, or objects left in high-traffic/public areas
Fragmentation damage/injury
Damage that exceeds the level usually seen during gas explosions
Crater(s)
Scattering of small metal objects
