Terrorism Midterm

Government

- political institutions (departments, offices, - one person cannot run government alone) through which a land and its people are governed. There are two basic forms of government monarchy and republic

Monarchy

kingship, where a country is ruled by a sovereign. There are different kinds of monarchies. There are only a small number of monarchies left around the world.

 Constitutional monarchy:

where the monarch’s power and rule is subject to the constitution. Examples include Thailand and Jordan

Absolute monarchy:

form of dictatorship that is based on divine right or god/religion, examples include Saudi Arabia

Republic:

a political system for where the supremacy of the people of elected officials is acknowledged. There are different kinds of republics

Democracy:

rule for the people by the people. An example of a country wirth democracy is in the United States. Term comes from ancient greece.

Dictatorship 

 One man/authoritarian rule, no political opposition is allowed, Russia and North Korea

Totalitarian system:

a kind of dictatorship/authoritarian rule where a political party dominates all. Examples include the CCP

 Junta:

military rule, when a group of army offers come to power often times by military coup. Examples: Egypt.

First World/Developed World:

Refers to advanced industrialized countries, who have undergone political, economic, and social development. They have a democracy and more political and legal rights for their citizens. The first world consists of a small number of countries which include the US, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, and Japan

Second World/DevelopING:

Countries that are not as advanced as the First World. Many communist countries fall into this category. Examples include China and Russia (former Soviet Union)

 Third World/DevelopING:

These countries that are located in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. They are still in the process of developing politically, economically and socially. Many of them are dictatorships, with poor human rights records.

Al-Qaeda:

A terrorist group founded in the late 1980s by Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan. It has cells around the world. The Group is responsible for the 9/11 attacks.

ISIS

Islamic state of Iraq and Syria- A Sunni terrorist group, which was founded in 2014 by a group of Al-Qaeda followers in Iraq. The group then spread to Syria. Also known as IS, and Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL)

Al-Shabab

An Islamic terrorist group founded in Somalia. It follows Al-Qaeda and ISIS.

Boko Haram

Islamic terrorist group founded in Nigeria. Became known for the kidnapping of 200 school girls, forcing them to be child brides.

Taliban

Sunni islamic terrorist group in Afghanistan. Granted Bin Laden refuge and shut down all schools in Afghanistan. 

Define the term government. What are the different systems of government that we encounter today?

• The Term government refers to political institutions (departments, offices, - one person cannot run government alone) through which a land and its people are governed. There are two basic forms of government monarchy and republic

• Monarchy: kingship, where a country is ruled by a sovereign. There are different kinds of monarchies. There are only a small number of monarchies left around the world. Examples:

• Constitutional monarchy: where the monarch’s power and rule is subject to the constitution. Examples include Thailand and Jordan

• Absolute monarchy: form of dictatorship, examples include Saudi Arabia

• Republic: a political system for where the supremacy of the people of elected officials is acknowledged. There are different kinds of republics.

• 1. Democracy: rule for the people by the people

•  2. Dictatorship: One man/authoritarian rule, no political opposition is allowed, Russia and North Korea

• 3. Totalitarian system: a kind of dictatorship/authoritarian rule where a political party dominates all. Examples include the CCP

• 4. Junta: military rule, when a group of army offers come to power often times by military coup. Examples: Egypt.

Identify and discuss the different worlds of development by providing necessary examples.

• Scholars have divided countries around the world into different categories in terms of political, economic, and social development

• 1. First World/Developed World: Refers to advanced industrialized countries, who have undergone political, economic, and social development. They have a democracy and more political and legal rights for their citizens. The first world consists of a small number of countries which include the US, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, and Japan

• Second World/DevelopING: Countries that are not as advanced as the First World. Many communist countries fall into this category. Examples include China and Russia (former Soviet Union)

• Third World/DevelopING: These countries that are located in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. They are still in the process of developing politically, economically and socially. Many of them are dictatorships, with poor human rights records.

• There is also a fourth and fifth world. These are countries that are extremely poor and in need of help and development. Examples include Niger and Haiti

• 80% of the worlds population is located in the developing world or third world countries 

• Most developing countries had a colonial past which means they were controlled by a stronger country, especially European countries such as Germany, Britain, and France.

• Most developing countries are in debt and struggling financially

• Many developing have high illiteracy rates and lower life spans for not having access to better health care

• Immigration moves 3rd world to 1st world for freedom, economy, safety

Terrorism

the use of violence against civilians and the government to achieve political, ideological, and religious goals. Terrorism is illegal under anti-terrorism laws in countries and it is considered a war crime. The term terrorism is derived from the French term terrorisme, which originally referred to state terrorism or a governments use of violence against its own people

State sponsorship of terrorism

countries providing financial and military support of a terrorist group. Iran has become a major sponsor of terrorism by supporting groups such as the Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and HAMAS in the Gaza strip. Iran and these groups have become a huge security threat to Israel. 

Counterterrorism

Actions taken by a government to reduce and defeat terrorism, counter intelligence agencies. 

Bottom-up terrorism

Terrorism that is practiced by groups and individuals against the government and others. By late 20th century and current 21st century, it has become more frequent. 

Top down/state terrorism 

a government’s use of violence against its own people. State terrorism was practiced by the French government/Jacobins (1793-1794) during the Reign of Terror following the French revolution. Historically, state terrorism or top down terrorism was the form that was practiced most often. 

IRA

Irish Republican Army emerged in 1969. The IRA seeks to free Northern Ireland from British rule. The IRA carried out several terrorist acts against the British government. Example of religious terrorism. 

ETA

Euskadi Ta Askatasuna emerged in 1959, Spain. ETA wants the Basque region to become independent from Spanish control.  Also present in France. It has carried out terrorist acts against the Spanish government.

Identify and briefly discuss the different categories of terrorism by providing necessary examples.

-       Different categories of terrorism:

-       Domestic vs international terrorism - violent acts committed by an individual or group against a government or people or property of as given state to instill fear and advance political, ideological and religious objectives. in vs out of country.

-       State terrorism / Top-down terrorism - a government’s use of violence against its own people.

-       Lone-wolf terrorism

-       Narcoterrorism 

-       Cyberterrorism

-       Religious terrorism

-       Suicide terrorism

-       Ethnic terrorism/genocide (Rawanda Hutus against the Tutsi/Nazis against Jews)

-       Intimate terrorism

-       Historically, state terrorism or top down terrorism was the form that was practiced most often.

-       However, by the late 20^th century and current 21^st, bottom-up terrorism or terrorism that is practiced by groups and individuals against the government and others has become more frequent (people terrorism for government)

Identify and discuss different sources of conflict by providing necessary examples. Do any of these sources share any commonalities with terrorism? Explain.

- Different sources of conflict and terrorism

• Revolution: when people of a given country overthrow a given government and a new regime is created.

- However, history has shown that some regimes that have come to power have engaged in some form of terrorism against their people but also other countries

- For example, after the French Revolution of 1789 that overthrew the monarchy, a radical group called the Jacobins came to power. From 1793-1794, they established the Reign of Terror.

- Another example is the Russian Revolution of 1917 that led to the rise of the communists and the establishment of the Soviet Union.

• Civil War: a war between different groups fighting over the future of a given country

- A Civil War has been a dominant feature of Sudan. The government in Sudan was controlled by the Muslims who persecuted the Christians and practiced state terrorism

- The civil war between the Muslims and the Christians in Sudan eventually led to the breakup of the country into two parts. South Sudan was created in 2011.

• Genocide: the mass killing of an ethnic or religious group. It is also known as ethnic terrorism.

- A well-known and horrific case of ethnic terrorism or genocide was the holocaust, where Hitler killed over 6 million Jewish people during WW2.

- Another important case took place in Rwanda, Africa, 1994. The Hutus (majority) killed nearly a million Tutsis (minority) as well as moderate Hutus in an attempt to control political power.

• International War: an international war is a war between two or more countries.

- The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, led to the US entry into WW2

- When Hitler committed suicide in 1945, the war in Europe was over but the war is the Pacific continued. Japan refused to surrender.

- In 1945, the US bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It was the first use of the atomic bomb in human history. Japan surrendered.

- The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was a form of state terrorism inflicted on the United States.

• Military coup: This is when a group of army officers overthrow a given government and come to power

- IN 1971, a military general, Idi Amin came to power in Uganda. He was a brutal dictator, who used terror and violence against his own people. Amin became notorious for human rights abuses.

- He practiced state terrorism on the Ugandan people. It is estimated that nearly 500,000 people were killed by the Amin regime

- Amin ruled from 1971-1979

•  Political assassination: John F Kennedy, MLK, Charlie Kirk

Identify and discuss some of the strategies utilized by terrorists by providing necessary examples.

Strategies used by terrorists

- 1. Propaganda by Deed: it was advocated by many terrorist groups. It is especially traced back to the 19th century Anarchists. The terrorists hope that their attacks will led to mass revolutionary movements to further their cause

- 2. Provocation- terrorists want their actions to provoke a state/government into taking action against them. The goal is to engage in war with a state to weaken it. Examples include ISIS and Al-Qaeda (before 9/11 happened, Al Qaeda had bombed US embassy in Tanzania and Kenya in 1990s).

- 3. Chaos: The goal is to create chaos among people to weaken and overthrow a given state. For example, PLO and HAMAS continuous terrorist actions against Israel.

- 4. Strategy of attrition (to weaken): the goal is to weaken a state’s strength through continuous acts of violence against that state. For example, the PLO and HAMAS’ continuous terrorist acts against Israel.

- 5. Psychological Impact: The goal is to incite fear among people around the world through continuous acts of terror. For example, ISIS and its continuous terrorist acts around the world.

Domestic terrorism

violent acts committed by an individual or group against a government or people or property of a given state to instill fear and advance political, ideological, and religious objectives. Domestic terrorists come from different backgrounds. In terms of education, they may be high school drop outs, college graduates, and even those with a professional background. Some domestic terrorists also have a background in military or law enforcement. Domestic takes place for different reasons. In many cases the individual involved has mental illness or mental disorder. Domestic terrorism, but terrorism in general has alos resulted from the lack of hope among individuals for a better future due to a lack of political and economic opportunities. Domestic terrorism in a given country can be averted if the government carries out necessary political, economic, and social reforms to improve conditions.

International terrorism

acts of violence aimed to weaken a state but originating from outside of country

Sunni vs Shia

Sunni = majority vs Shia = minority, terrorists affiliated with both of them, Houthis and Hezbollah are Shia, ISIS and Al Qaeda sunni

Define the term domestic terrorism and discuss its significance.

-       Domestic or home-grown terrorism refers to violent acts committed by an individual or group against a government or people or property of as given state to instill fear and advance political, ideological and religious objectives.

-       Domestic terrorists come from different backgrounds. In terms, of education, they may be in high school dropouts, college graduates, and even those with professional background

-       Some domestic terrorists also have a background in military or law enforcement.

-       Domestic terrorism takes place for different questions

-       In many cases the dividual involved has mental illness and/or mental disorder

-       Domestic terrorism but terrorism in gender has also resulted from the lack of hope among individuals for a better future due to lack of political and economic opportunities

-       Domestic terrorism in a given country can be averted if the government carries out necessary political, economic, and social reforms to improve conditions.

-       Violence can also be deterred if minorities are better represented.

-       Training for terrorists either takes place within a given country or outside within another country.

-       Training for home grown cases is often fast paced and rushed.

-       For example, in May 2010, a man from Pakistan, who was a follower of Al-Qaeda had received 3-5 days of training in making explosives, which was placed in a car in times square. But the explosives fortunately did not go off but it was discovered by the street vendor an former vietnam vets, who saw smoke coming out of the car and alerted authorities

-       Other terrorists go overseas to receive training in such countries such as afghanistan, Pakistan, and yemen.

Discuss the events that led to the Oklahoma City Bombing (1995) and its significance.

- Oklahoma City Bombing of 1995 refers to a bomb attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City

- The terrorist attack was carried out by Timothy McVeigh (a former veteran) and Terry Nichols.

- The bombing killed 168 people and injured 680.

- Mcveigh had rented a truck and packed it with explosives.

- Mcveigh hate the federal government and was angered by the 1993 Waco Siege in Texas and the 1992 Ruby Ridge Incident in Idaho.

- The Waco Siege (1993) refers to the siege of a compound belonging to a religious group called the Branch Davidians by US federal and Texas law enforcement between February – April 1993.

- The Branch Davidians was a cult led by David Koresh, in Mount Caramel Center, in Waco Texas.

- The Cult was suspected of weapons violations, which led to a search and arrest warrant obtained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)

- The compound was surrounded by the ATF and FBI agents. The Branch Davidians fought back; 76 people died including Koresh.

- Ruby Ridge (1992) was the sight of a confrontation and siege in Idaho between Randy Weaver, his family and friends and the FBI and the US Marshals.

- The event led to the death of Weaver’s son, his wife, and their dog as well as the death of US Marshall Willian Degan

- Weaver was charged with weapons possession and conspiracy against the government

- Weaver was sentenced to 18 months and fined $10,000

- Mcveigh was arrested within 90 minuts of the explosion. His accomplice, Nichols was also arrested.

- Prior to his arrest, Mcveigh revealed he had planned to assassinate the Attorney General Janet Reno, but instead had decided to carry out the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma. He had parked a truck full of explosives in front of the federal building.

- McVeigh was motivated by his hatred and the government’s handling of the Waco Incident (1993) and the Ruby Ridge Incident (1992)

- In 2001,

Discuss the founding of Al-Qaeda, its ideology and scope of activities by providing necessary examples.

-       Al Qaeda- sunni terrorist group founded by osama bin laden

-       9/11 attacks

-       Al-Qaeda is a sunni-terrorist group founded in 1988 by Osama Bin Laden. Bin Laden was from Saudi Arabia and came from a very wealthy family.

-       When Soviets invaded Afganistan in 1979, Bin Laden went to Afghanistan  to fight against the soviets. He helped the Afghan fighters.

-       The Soviets left in 1988 and Afghanistan plunged into a civil war between different groups.

-       In 1995, a radical barbaric group called the Taliban came to power. The Taliban became known for its human rights abuses

-       Create caliphat (Islamic empire), sharia law

-       Bin laden was against the west and the Saudi monarchy. Because of his radical ideology and activities, the Saudi government took Bin Ladens citizenship

-       Bin Laden went to Africa and stayed in countries such as Sudan and Somalia before going to Afghanistan

-       The Taliban gave refuge. Bin laden made Afghanistan his base of activities where his group began to train and recruit membership. From there, Bin Laden planned the 9/11 attacks. Prior to 9/11, Al Qaeda began to carry out terrorist acts (bombings) in Kenya and Tanzania in 1997. It was also behind the bali bombings (2002 in Indonesia)

-       Al Qaeda – means “the base”

-       In terms of ideology, Bin Laden believed that there was a Christian-Jewish alliance to destroy Islam. Al Qaeda was inspired by the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt, a radical terrorist group founded in the 1920s.

-       Al- Qaeda only accepts the Sharia (Islamic Law) and not secular laws. Al Qaeda want to set up a global caliphate or empire

-       In 2011, US Special Operation Forces, killed Bin Laden in a raid in Pakistan. Since 2011, Ayman Zawahiri, had become the new leader of Al Qaeda. Zawahiri himself was killed in a rain in 2022

-       Al-Qaeda’s manafgement style is based on centralization of decision and decentralization of execution.

-       Centralization of decision: Al Qaeda leader issues order from the top

-       Decentralization of execution: cells and operatives carry out those orders worldwide

-       Al Qaeda has a military committee responsible for training recruits.

-       Al Qaeda has a money committee that funds the recruitment and training of operatives

-       Al Qaeda has a law committee to force and establish Sharia Law on a global scale.

-       Al Qaeda has a media committee that controls the spread of information by media and online

-       Al  Qaeda has a fatwa committee that issues religious edicts or orders

-       Al Qaeda carried out the US embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania that left hundreds dead

-       Al Qaedawas behind the 9/11 attacks that destroyed the twin towers in NY, it attacked the pentagon and another hijacked plane was on its way to Washington when it crashed

-       From 2004-2014, Al Qaeda began to spread in Iraq. The group in would transform into ISIS in 2014

ISIS

Islamic state of Iraq and Syria – sunni terrorist group, founded out of Al Qaeda

Discuss the founding of ISIS, its ideology and crimes against humanity by providing necessary examples.

-       Evolution of the names of IS

-       ISI- Islamic State of Iraq

-       ISIS – Islamic State of Iraq and Syria

-       ISIL – Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (Syria, Lebanon, Israel)

-       IS- Islamic State

-       Daish – Arabic Name

-       IS – A Salafi/Sunni jihadist terrorist group that follows the Wahabi doctrine. In 2014, it proclaimed a worldwide caliphate and named Abu Bakr al-Bahgdadi as its Caliph

-       IS claims authority over all Muslims, however, it only controls parts of Iraq and Syria. It enforces the Sharia law (Islamic Law) on the areas it controls.

-       IS currently has cells and operatives around the world

-       IS is known for brutal execution of its opponents and hostages including beheadings and videotaping.

-       Its headquarters was in Raqqah, Syria.

-       IS originated as an obscure group called the Jama’at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad in 1999 in Iraq. Its key leader was Abu Masab al-Zaraqawi, who was a follower of Al-Qaeda.

-       Zarqawi and his followers proclaimed the founding of the ISI in 2006.

-       In 2011, ISI sent a mission to Syria under the name al-Nusra to gain a foothold in Syria. The Syrian Civil War that had began in 2011, had led to chaos and disorder in Syria as the Assad government was busy fighting against his opponents. This was a good time fod the ISI to gain a foothold into Syria

-       ISI and al-Nusra merged to form the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

-       ISIS also became known as Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) by 2013 as named by al-Baghdadi.

-       The term Levant refers to the countries of Syria and Lebanon

-       In 2014, Al Qaeda’s leader, al -Zawahiri, broke all ties with Isis as he did not like Abu  Bakr al-Baghdadi and his style of leadership.

-       The two groups have been competing since for dominance around the globe.

-       IS is a Sunni, Jihadi, terrorist group which seeks to establish a caliphate (Islamic empire) around the globe based on the Sharia (Islamic Law)

-       Like Al-Qaeda, it emerged out of the ideology of Muslim Brotherhood, a Sunni radical Egyptian group founded in the early 1920s targeted British.

-       The leader of IS was Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.  – raided his compound hiding Syria instead of surrendering to special ops forces – he blew himself up – died in 2019

-       Al-Qaeda and Isis share same ideology – traced back to muslim brothers.

-       IS has a black flag following the example of Mohammad, the prophet- founder of Islam)

-       On the black flag, one can see an Arabic inscription in white, which says there is no God but Allah

-       Just like Al Qaeda, IS has committees on finance, leadership, military, and laws. Its revenues come from kidnappings, states which sponsor it, illegal drug trade, and sale of antiques.

-       It has an estimated force of 200,000.

-       Its operatives have engaged in truck bombings, suicide bombings, the plantings of IEDs and mass shootings.

-       In 2006, it established the Al-Furqan Foundation which produces CDs, DVDs, posters and web related propaganda.

-       IS has an online magazine named Dabiq.

-       IS has been involved in the murder and beheading of innocent civilians. Hundreds of thousands have been killed.

-       IS has targeted minority groups in the region such as the Yazidis, Druze, Chaldeans, and Armenians.

-       Non-Muslims living in areas under the control of IS have to pay taxes to it.

-       Children as young as 6 years old are kidnapped and recruited to become fighters/child soldiers

-       Women are kidnapped, raped, and forced int marriage with IS fighters. Others are enslaved.

-       Qomen are forced to wear full face veils or get killed.

-       In 2013, Kayla Mueller, a US aid worker was kidnapped by IS fighters in Syria. She was abused and forced to become a wife of an IS fighter. She was killed in a bombing raid.

-       Isis has kidnapped and beheaded several western and non-western journalists

-       IS has killed Muslims suspected of collaborating with the West. In 2015, IS captured a Jordanian pilot who had been shot down in a bombing campaign over Syria. The pilot was kept in a cage, tortured, and brutally killed.

-       IS has destroyed several historical and cultural heritage sites in Iraq and Syria and raided their treasures. These antiques were then sold by IS on the black market.

-       On October 28, 2019, US Special Operation forces conducted a raid on a compound in Northwest Syria where al-Baghdadi was hiding.

-       Instead of surrender, al-Baghdadi committed suicide. He was wearing a suicide vest. Three of his children died with him.

-       The US operation was a success. No members of the Special Operation forces were hurt.

-       It remains to be seen who will succeed al-Baghdadi

- Great Purge (1934-1938) –

included self-critisim purge of the 1930s 

Stalin carried out these purges to eliminate his enemies

Stalin feared that any opposition groups in the Soviet Union might enter into an alliance with countries such as Germany and Japan at the expense of the Soviet Union.

By using purging tactics, Stalin wanted to divert people’s attention from economic problems in the Soviet Union such as food and fuel shortages.

The purges of the 1930s, impacted the economy and lead to a decline in labor as industrial and agricultural workers were dislocated and sent to labor camps and prison.

The purges led to a decline in iron and steel production from 1939-1941.

Members of the Red Army and the Communist party were also purged and heavily affected by Stalin.

- 3 moscow show trials

There were 3 show trials in Moscow in the 1930s.

1. 1936- It involved 16 leading communists who opposed Stalin. All were accused of being terrorists and given death sentences. Among these 16, were members of the communist party.

2. 1936- 17 communists including Karl Radek, the editor of Pravda, were arrested. Radek, however, was spared when he provided information about army leaders who were opposing stalin. The other 16 communists were executed.

3. 1938- Members of the Red Army opposing Stalin were put to death.

Hezbollah

(SHIA) - Iran has become a major sponsor of terrorism by supporting groups such as the Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and HAMAS in the Gaza strip. Iran and these groups have become a major security threat to Israel

Houthis

(SHIA)- Iran has become a major sponsor of terrorism by supporting groups such as the Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and HAMAS in the Gaza strip. Iran and these groups have become a major security threat to Israel.

Discuss the Moscow trials and their ramifications

- There were 3 show trials in Moscow in the 1930s.

- 1. 1936- It involved 16 leading communists who opposed Stalin. All were accused of being terrorists and given death sentences. Among these 16, were members of the communist party.

- 2. 1936- 17 communists including Karl Radek, the editor of Pravda, were arrested. Radek, however, was spared when he provided information about army leaders who were opposing stalin. The other 16 communists were executed.

- 3. 1938- Members of the Red Army opposing Stalin were put to death.

Discuss Iran under the Islamic Republic and its activities related to State Terrorism (1979-present).

- Meanhile, the Shah had gone to the United States to receive treatment for his cancer.

- Khomeini demanded the United States to hand over the Shah. When the US refused, Khomeini’s followers broke into the US embassy in Tehran and took several hostages. The hostages were not released until Ronald Reagan was sworn in as president in 1981.

- The Iranian people have rebelled against this corrupt regime, but they have been persecuted and killed. The current regime has also developed a nuclear program which makes it very dangerous.

- The future of Iran remains unknown. The majority of Iranians especially the young people want to overthrow the regime.

- The trump administration intensified its pressure on Iran by imposing additional economic sanctions. These sanctions have nearly destroyed the Iranian economy

- In January 2020, the head of the Iranian Quds force , Qasem Soleimani was assassinated by a drone attack ordered by the US. Soleimani was a terrorist who had tried to spread Irania influence throughout the middle east. He was in Iraq at the time of the assassination.

Discuss Iran’s state sponsorship of terrorism and its consequences by providing necessary examples.

- Iran has become a major sponsor of terrorism by supporting groups such as the Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and HAMAS in the Gaza strip. Iran and these groups have become a major security threat to Israel.

- Iran has been providing financial and military aid including weapons to these terrorist groups.

- In June 2025, Israel and the United States carried out airstrikes against Iran to hinder its clandestine nuclear program and military activities.

- The current corrupt regime in Iran has weakened and will be overthrown someday. A major question is what will replace the regime? A democracy? Or return of the monarchy?