ELECTIVE HISTORY - Terrorism YEAR 10

Similarities between defining Terrorism

Violence

Fear/Terror (climate/state of)

Political or Religious aims/objectives

Force

Differences between definining Terrorism

Calculated use

Force a Government

Manipulation

Obedience

What are some problems with defining Terrorism?

No consensus

Unknown who has the authority to define terrorism

Each national gov. has their own definition, sometimes more then one

Subjective; One man's terrorist is the other man's freedom fighter

Does Extremism and Terrorism ever overlap?

Yes - especially in ideologies

Why do governments usually have different definitions of Terrorism

- Definitions change and adapt as new threats arise

- Differences based on national/historical experiences and religion

- Attempt to defend their own interests in domestic/foreign conflicts

Terrorism class definition

Terrorism can be domestic or international and used to intimidate, take hostages, spread fear, or to promote religious, political or other ideological objective often including committing a deliberate, violent criminal act against people or property.

Domestic Terrorism

Terrorism committed by people who live inside the country where the event is committed

e.g., Oklahoma City Bombing (1995)

International Terrorism

Terrorism that are foreign-based or are sponsored by groups and organisations outside the country where the event is commited

e.g., 9/11

Revolutionary Terrorism

Most common and easiest to identify; Terrorism with the aim to replace a currently existing socio-political system with another

e.g., Shining Path

Sub-revolutionary Terrorism

Less common and harder to identify; Terrorism with the aim to change (rather than replace) a currently existing socio-political system

e.g., ANC campaign (1952, South Africa)

Establishment/State/State-sponsored Terrorism

Common but hard to identify; Terrorism used by governments or factions within a currently existing socio-political system targeting the gov's citizens, factions within the gov, or foreign gov/groups

e.g., Saddam Hussein

Religious Terrorism

Terrorism motivated by religious ideologies

e.g., ISIS attacks on Palmyra (2015, Syria)

Bio/Nuclear Terrorism

Terrorism with the use/threat of use of biological agents to negatively affect a population's health. Includes nuclear device, radioactive materials, or nuclear site attack

e.g., Aum Shinrikyo Subway Attacks (1995, Tokyo)

Cyber Terrorism

Terrorism using compute/ICT-based attacks aimed at disabling vital computer systems as a form of terror against a gov/group

e.g., Shamoon Virus Attack by Cutting Sword of Justice (Saudi Aramco, 2012)

Social Terrorism

Also known as 'single-issue' or 'special interest' terrorism; Terrorism acts or groups in response to social issues

e.g., Animal Liberation Front (1990)

Eco Terrorism

Terrorism carried out to further environmentalist motives and ends

e.g., Earth Liberation Front (2001)

Assyrian Empire

Empire of Mesopotamia known for its ruthlessness and cruelty

Tyrannicide

In Ancient Greece and Rome, the act of killing a tyrant

Sicarii

50-60 AD, 'dagger men' who targeted Romans in Jerusalem

Reasons why Assyrians were terrorist

- Destruction

- Done to invoke fear

- Killing and torture

Reasons why Assyrians weren't terrorists

- Not targeted (equal murder)

- Done to gain dominance over neighbouring countries (warfare)

- No one method of killing

Reasons why Tyrannicide was terrorism

- Some Ancient Greeks disagreed

- Politically motivated

- Political violence

Reasons why Tyrannicide wasn't terrorism

- Regarded as necessary and good

- Ancient Greece praised tyrannicide and saw it as legitimate

- Considered antithetical to terrorism

- Some states legislated tyrannists exempt from persecution

Reasons why Sicarii was terrorism

- Political motivation/objectives

- Invoke fear through violence

- Religious reasons

- Rebelled against Government

- Used violence and fear to change religious/political situations of Jerusalem

Reasons why Sicarii wasn't terrorism

- Less connected Ancient world -> Smaller audience -> Secret/smaller attacks

- Not modern terrorists as media didn't exist

Nature of attitudes towards terrorism at the start of the 1990's

Thought to be 'finished'/done as all terrorists were dead, in jail, or part of the peace process between the US and Middle East. Especially since it was expected to be a time of peace due to the Cold War finishing

Randy Weaver

A fugitive, white supremacist, and survivalist who lived out in the mountains with his family. He was of interest to the ATF due to being part of the Aryan Nation movement

Ruby Ridge, Idaho August 1992

Weaver refuses to attend court for selling guns and instead bunkers down in the mountain home with his family. Police, federal agents, ATF, national guard, surround the house to get him to come out and arrest him

How does Ruby Ridge end?

Shoot-out where 14 year old son Sammy, US marshal, wife, and infant child are all killed (guards allowed to shoot anyone who held a gun). Ends when Randall Weaver and the surviving 3 children leave the mountain and are arrested.

What was the impact of the 1993 bombings of the World Trade Centre had on attitudes towards domestic terrorism in US

Changed government focus away from right-wing anti-government extremism domestically towards international terrorism done by foreign terrorist organisations (signal of terrorist war thought to be centred in the Middle East coming to US)

David Koresh

Leader of the Branch Davidians who claimed he was the new 'Messiah' and 'Prophet'

Waco, Texas February 28, 1993

Federal agents surround compound of Branch Davidians due to them stock piling automatic weapons for the 'End of the World'. Many shoot-outs as heavily armed cult members and agents shoot at each other

What was the reaction towards Waco?

People drive out to see the compound and show their support. After Waco, many argue that the Government murdered the Branch Davidians

How did Waco end

Siege went on for 51 days. On April 19, 1993 the government injected gas into the building in hopes the members would come out. Instead, the entire compound was engulfed in flame

What was the new challenge faced by police during the 90's?

Lone Wolves

Centennial Park, July 1996, Atlanta Summer Olympic Games

Open air rock concert was bombed by a pipe bomb designed to penetrate human flesh (2 dead). Security guard, Richard Jewell, was able to evacuate most after noticing suspicious bag but was however suspected for the bombing

Eric Robert Rudolph

31 year old anti-abortion terrorist who was responsible for the Centennial Park bombing

What was the relationship between Columbine Highschool Shooting and OCB?

Inspired by the OCB as their original plan was to use similar pipe bombs and kill as many as 500 people with bombs (homemade bombs did not detonate however)

Waco Siege and Ruby Ridge relationship to OCB

Suspicion of government

Wanted revenge for it

OCB committed on 2yr anniversary of Waco

Used as 'evidence' of Government suppression of Far Right gun-owners

Tim Mcveigh

Decorated Army Veteran who served in Gulf War and main perpetrator of the OCB. Born on April 23, 1938. Discovered the Turner Diaries (white supremacist novel) as a teenager that inspired his love for guns and white supremacy

Terry Nichols

Accomplice of OCB who turned himself in after they found his brother's address through Tim McVeigh hiring a motel room

Oklahoma City Bombing

On April 19, 1995, 9:02am on Patriots Day, 2 tonnes of a homemade truck bomb made from fertiliser and fuel bombed Alfred P.Murrah Federal Building (including day-care and ATF office)

OCB impacts

324 buildings damaged and destroyed

500 injured

168 killed (19 children)

OCB motivation

Far right violent extremism

Supporter of militant patriot movement

Anti-government and ATF

Wanted to protect second amendment

Impacts of OCB on attitudes towards Terrorism

Counterterrorism rules and laws

New legislation such as the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996

Funding of Government institutions to investigate and prevent terror groups

- Investigations into people associated with terror groups

(Mixed effectiveness)

How did OCB show change in terrorism

America previously thought domestic terrorism was eradicated, but OCB showed it hadn't

Domestic large scale attacks weren't erased and were often committed by people FROM THAT COUNTRY

How did OCB affect domestic terrorism

More attention paid to it (focus from international -> domestic)

Anti-government militia groups skyrocketed

Government public approval crashed

Most common methods used by terrorists during the 1970-1980's

Airplane hijacks and bombings using Semtex, usually combined in one attack

December 21, 1988 (Lockerbie Bombing)

270 people die when Pan American World Airways Flight 103 (Boeing 747 on en-route to NYC from London) explodes over Lockerbie, Scotland at 7:00pm just as the plane was preparing for the oceanic portion of the flight

How was Lockerbie committed

Timer-activated odourless plastic explosive Semtex hidden in a cassette player within a suitcase

Impacts of Lockerbie

Increased terrorism fears in US as majority of the passengers were American

All 259 on-board the flight killed

11 additional people killed on ground

21 house destroyed

Lockerbie suspected

Two Libyan intelligence agents as retaliation for 1986 U.S. bombing campaign against Libya's capital city, Tripoli. Leader Muammar al-Qaddafi refused to turn over suspects (causing economic sanctions against Libya) but did eventually agree to pay damages to families of the attack

Lockerbie convicted

2001, Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison. However was later released from prison in Scotland to Libya on compassionate grounds because of his terminal cancer (despite U.S. protests)

Lamin Khalifa Fhimah was acquitted

My Brother's Bomber

In 2015, Ken Dornstein, an investigative journalist and younger brother of one of the victims released documentary releasing new evidence aboutthe case

Muammar Qaddafi (OCB)

Libyan Dictator who is suspected to have planned Lockerbie as a retaliation for the 1986 bombing of Tripoli (that struck his home and made him depressed + go under ground). Qaddafi denied this up to his death

Said Rashid (OCB)

Qaddafi Loyalist and Libyan intelligence agent thought to have been the mastermind/orchestrater of the Lockerbie Bombing - including being an engineer who provided designs to MEBO for the timer used on the bombing. He was also connected to other terrorist plots and greeted Megrahi on his return home

Abdel Basset al Megrahi (OCB)

Only convicted suspect of Lockerbie, thought to have snuck suitcase with bomb onto the plane as he is connected with buying the clothes. Rented an office space out with Badri Hassan on premises of company MEBO year leading up to bombing. Denied allegations up to his death

Lhamen Fhimah (OCB)

Acquitted suspect of Lockerbie due to not having enough evidence for his involvement. Was believed to have arrived in Malta with Megrahi day before with a suitcase that contained a plastic explosive he allegedly stored in his office

Abdullah Senussi

'Right hand man' of Qaddafi and head of Libyan intelligence/Spy chief during Lockerbie. Was the supervisor of Megrahi, was convicted for other terrorist plots (which he was sentenced to death for by Libyan court), and greeted Megrahi on his return home

Badri Hassan (OCB)

Airline executive for Libyan Arab Airlines. State Department said he was a "close collaborator" with Megrahi, especially by renting an office space with him near MEBO where Bollier claims that weeks before the bombing he asked for a rush order on timers. Wife, Souad, believes he was definitely involved.

Ezzedine Hinshiri (OCB)

Identified as one of the two Libyan engineers who placed the order with MEBO (made the timer) alongside Rashid. Believed to be close with Qaddafi by Ken Dornstein

Nassr Ashur (OCB)

Identified despite never being indicted for attack as Libyan intelligence member who was described as the "expert who made the bombs go off" and was alleged to have provided the Semtex for Lockerbie. Bollier knew Ashur and placed him with Megrahi two nights before bombing

Edwin Bollier (OCB)

Electronic timer on Lockerbie thought to be custom made from his company, MEBO. He identified fragment as a piece he had sold to Libyan military few years prior but later denied this claim (saying it was a 'fake'). He also wrote a letter to the U.S. Embassy in Vienna in 1989 claiming that Qaddafi was behind Lockerbie, however later claimed he was forced to write this

Bollier other evidence (OCB)

He had repeated business relations with Libya/Qaddafi Government since mid-1970's and maybe was aware of his supply being used in terrorism (Swiss police told him and he claimed to FBI he stopped contact after), but went to Tripoli in 1988 when Libyan operatives were discovered with MEBO timers (said he doesn't remember the trips purpose)

Abu Agela (OCB)

Believed to be a Libyan bomb expert who knew how to make the bombs and assemble them. Was initially mentioned by the CIA. In 2011, he was put on trial for war crimes including setting off bombs in Libyan revolution

Abu Agela further evidence (OCB)

Welcomed Megrahi in Libya

Involved in a 1986 La Belle Disco terrorist bombing in West Berlin where another perpetrator from that attack, Musbah Eter, identified him as saying to Eter that he helped to carry out Lockerbie

Records showed that him and Megrahi travelled on same flight before Lockerbie several times