The impact of terrorist organizations and terrorist networks
How has the impact of terrorist organizations and terrorist networks and their activities evolved and changed their objectives over time and why?
Consider some of the following points (but you are not limited to this, you can seek to answer your own questions on the topics)
a. Describe, broadly, what terrorism means in the modern world (what is the official definition from a Western perspective)
b. What are some of the difficulties in tackling this type of criminal activity, which is often global in scale and constantly morphs. Consider the many organizations which are considered/labeled to be terrorist – Al-Queda, El-Shebab, Boko Haram, Black September (in the 1960s and 1970s), PLO, IRA and others
c. What are some terrorist networks of interest to the US and its national security?
d. What are some of the challenges concerning civil liberties in the US, as was evident with the Patriot Act and other policies which have targeted private citizens for the purpose of combating terrorist activities.
e. What is US policy regarding this issue and how is that impacting US relations with the world?
f. Discuss at least two proposals for combating terrorism and analyze which, in your opinion, would be more effective.
Sample Solution
Terrorism has been a major concern of the modern world since the early 21st century. The Western view of terrorism is defined as “the use of violence or threat of violence to intimidate, coerce, and/or influence governments, societies or individuals in pursuit of political, religious or ideological objectives”. It is often characterized by its indiscriminate nature - it can be usedagainst civilians and military personnel alike and does not discriminate between nationalities, religions or ethnicities. This makes it extremely difficult to tackle; as we have seen over time terrorist organizations have evolved and changed their objectives in order to remain effective.
The various terrorist networks which are active today are numerous; from Al-Qaeda to El-Shebab, Boko Haram to Black September (in the 1960s and 1970s), PLO to IRA – each one vying for attention both domestically within their own countries but also internationally through acts of terror such as bombings, kidnappings and hijackings. In response to this continued global threat US policy has taken a hard line stance with measures such as the Patriot Act which targeted private citizens for surveillance purposes in order to combat potential terrorists activities inside US borders. Although these policies provided some security they were met with resistance from civil liberties groups who feared that they could lead towards an erosion of fundamental rights associated with living in a democratic society with regards freedom speech etcetera.
There are two broad proposals currently under consideration when tackling terror networks worldwide: one being increased diplomatic efforts aimed at building relationships across regions where terrorism is most prevalent so that cooperation between nations can be fostered thereby reducing tensions leading towards peace initiatives; coupled with economic aid packages designed at helping those countries develop infrastructure which benefits all citizens including educational opportunities enabling them access resources needed for improving their lives regardless of religious background etcetera . The other proposal being advocated by some within the international community focuses on increasing security measures both domestically & internationally so as to create effective deterrence against anyone looking engage in any sort forms criminal activities related to terrorism while ensuring civil liberties are respected at all times throughout this process.
In conclusion my opinion would suggest increased diplomatic efforts coupled with aid programs targeting developing nations most affected by terrorism should take precedence over more heavy handed security measures which could infringe upon individual freedoms. This way governments can focus on addressing underlying issues affecting certain communities through development rather than relying solely on punitive action which may serve only further escalate tensions between different groups leading back into cycles more conflict & violence . Only through a more holistic approach can we hope to address this problem adequately and create lasting peace.