UNIT 4 AOS 2 T CAUSES AND RESPONSES AND ITS EFFECTIVENESS

Question 1

Causes

Answer 1

Islamic (religious) extremism
- Ideology and religious extremism is a cause of terrorism when radical beliefs are used to justify violence against others. This is displayed through ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), which emerged in 2013, aimed to establish a caliphate governed by a strict interpretation of Sharia law. ISIS attracted fighters from over 100 countries by claiming to defend “true” Sunni Islam. This radical ideology led them to commit atrocities, including mass killings and attacks on minorities such as Yazidis and Shia Muslims. Their extremist beliefs also inspired global terror attacks, such as those in Paris (2015) and Brussels (2016), demonstrating how radical ideologies can fuel widespread terrorism.

Corruption and ineffective governance: (Boko Haram 2002-present)
- Corruption and ineffective governance can lead to terrorism by creating conditions of widespread frustration and disenfranchisement that extremist groups exploit. In Nigeria, Boko Haram’s rise since 2010 is a clear example: deep-seated corruption and poor governance by the Nigerian government, including embezzlement and failure to provide essential services, generated significant public discontent. Boko Haram capitalized on these failures, positioning itself as a defender of the oppressed and using violent actions, such as the 2014 Chibok schoolgirl kidnappings, to challenge and destabilize the government, leading to a prolonged and devastating conflict.

Right wing ideology, white supremacy: (2019 Christchurch Mosque attack)
- Right wing extremism and white supremacy beliefs is a major cause of terrorism, especially when radical beliefs are used to justify violence against others. An example of this is through the 2019 Christchurch Mosque Attack where 51 people were killed in the hands of the Australian national perpetrator whose actions were driven by a belief in the “Great Replacement” theory, which is a white nationalist conspiracy that claims white populations are being systematically replaced by non-white immigrants, especially Muslims. The attack was planned to incite fear amongst Muslim communities and promote right wing extremism globally. This attack ultimately showcases how extremist ideologies can cause terrorism to perpetuate and develop

Question 2

Responses

Answer 2

Military intervention: (can be used as a response to challenge to resolution of Humanitarian crisis and Political instability)
International effort led by US backed coalition to defeat ISIS (2016):
- A response by a global actor to the crisis of terrorism was the U.S.-led coalition’s military intervention to defeat ISIS, specifically through the Battle of Mosul beginning in 2016. The coalition, comprising U.S. forces, the Iraqi military, and Kurdish troops, used airstrikes and ground operations to reclaim Mosul, which ISIS had declared its capital in Iraq. While the intervention successfully weakened ISIS by liberating the city in July 2017, it also resulted in substantial civilian casualties and extensive damage, highlighting the effectiveness of the campaign in countering ISIS but also the significant humanitarian challenges that followed.

Banning of assault weapons in New Zealand following the Christchurch mass killing (April 2019):
- Following the Christchurch Mosque shootings in 2019, the New Zealand government swiftly implemented an indefinite ban on assault weapons for the public in April 2019, as a unilateral response to the crisis. This response proved effective, as demonstrated in a subsequent terrorist attack in 2021, where the attacker was only able to use a knife. This significantly limited the level of harm caused, resulting in no deaths and only seven injuries—much less damage than could have been inflicted with an assault rifle or other firearms. Thus, this response has been largely effective in reducing the potential scope and severity of terrorism in New Zealand.

International cooperation by New Zealand following the Christchurch mass killing: (2019)

• The New Zealand government, in collaboration with France, hosted the Christchurch Call Summit in 2019, resulting in a treaty signed by 55 states and 10 tech companies to enhance efforts to remove terrorism and extremism from mainstream social media platforms. This response is proactive in aiming to prevent further attacks by curbing the spread of radical ideologies online. However, its effectiveness is limited, as extremist content can still proliferate on alternative sites like 8Chan, which remain accessible for right-wing terrorism and other forms of extremism.

Question 3

Challenges to effective resolution

Answer 3

Political instability (Afghanistan and ISIS 2021):
- Political instability can significantly hinder efforts to resolve terrorism, as illustrated by the situation in Afghanistan following the U.S. and NATO withdrawal in August 2021. The swift collapse of the already weak and fragmented Afghan government created a power vacuum that allowed the Taliban to regain control, which in turn impeded the fight against terrorist groups like ISIS-K. The absence of a stable government complicated the implementation of counterterrorism strategies and peace negotiations, leading to continued violence and instability, demonstrating how political instability obstructs effective counterterrorism efforts and peacebuilding.

Humanitarian crisis: (can be used in conjunction with response to challenge)
- The Battle of Mosul, part of the U.S.-led coalition’s campaign against ISIS, resulted in significant civilian casualties, with thousands killed or injured, and displaced around 900,000 residents. The intense combat also led to widespread destruction of Mosul’s infrastructure, including homes, hospitals, and schools. This humanitarian crisis highlights a major challenge to resolving the conflict, as the extensive civilian suffering and infrastructure damage complicate recovery efforts and hinder long-term stability.