Concepts, Environments, and Stateless Revolutions

Understanding International Terrorism

• The Spillover Effect: This concept refers to the expansion of domestic conflicts into the international arena, where violence and political agendas transcend national borders.

• Unambiguous International Implications: International terrorism is characterized by actions that have clear and direct consequences for multiple nations and global stability.

• Reasons for International Terrorism:

  • Ideological Reasons: Modern “isms” drive much of the international terrorist activity.

  • International Revolutionary Solidarity: The belief in a unified global struggle among different groups or movements.

Dissident Terrorism on the World’s Stage: Specific Case Studies

• Abu Sayyaf:

  • Home Country: Philippines.

  • Incident: A kidnapping occurring in April $2000$.

  • Target: $20$ Asian and European tourists located in Malaysia.

  • International Effect: Resulted in an increased profile for the group and a ransom payment of $20$ million dollars.

• Jemaah Islamiyah:

  • Home Country: Indonesia.

  • Incident: A bombing executed in October $2002$.

  • Target: A tourist district in Bali; the attack killed $202$ individuals, including $88$ Australian tourists.

  • International Effect: Sparked international security fears regarding asymmetrical Islamist terrorism.

• Domestic Cell (Al Qaeda Inspired):

  • Home Country: Spain.

  • Incident: A series of bombings in March $2005$.

  • Target: Commuter trains located in Madrid; the attacks resulted in $191$ deaths and $1800$ injuries.

  • International Effect: Heightened international security fears of asymmetrical terrorism and led to Spain withdrawing its troops from Iraq.

• Red Brigade:

  • Home Country: Italy.

  • Incident: The kidnapping of a high-ranking official in December $1981$.

  • Target: United States Brigadier General James Dozier.

  • International Effect: Increased the profile of the group and created a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) security crisis.

• Black September:

  • Home Country: Palestinian Diaspora.

  • Incident: A kidnapping event during the Summer of $1972$.

  • Target: Israeli athletes participating in the Summer Olympics.

  • International Effect: Increased the group's profile and created a significant international crisis.

International Terrorism and Diverse Terrorist Environments

• State-Sponsored Environment ($1988$):

  • Incident: Airline bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland.

  • Perpetrator: Intelligence officers from Libya.

  • Target: Pan Am Flight $103$.

  • International Effect: Significant effect leading to an international crisis.

• Dissident Environment ($1994$):

  • Incident: Bombing in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

  • Perpetrator: Identified as possibly Hezbollah.

  • Target: Argentine Israelite Mutual Association.

  • International Effect: Medium effect characterized by regional spillover.

• Left-wing Environment ($2012$):

  • Incident: Kidnapping.

  • Perpetrator: FARC of Colombia.

  • Target: Romeo Langlois, a journalist for France $24$.

  • International Effect: Minimal effect; Langlois was considered one of many hostages taken by the FARC.

• Right-wing Environment ($1990\text{s}$ to Present):

  • Incident: Arson and various other attacks in Germany.

  • Perpetrator: Neo-Nazis and their supporters.

  • Target: Foreign “guest workers” and non-ethnic German citizens.

  • International Effect: Minimal effect.

• Religious Environment ($2001$):

  • Incident: The attacks of September $11$, $2001$.

  • Perpetrator: Al Qaeda.

  • Target: The World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

  • International Effect: Significant effect resulting in international crisis and war.

• Criminal Environment ($1985$):

  • Incident: Kidnapping and murder.

  • Perpetrator: Mexican narcotraficantes.

  • Target: Enrique Camarena, a Special Agent for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

  • International Effect: Significant effect which led to an enhanced war on drugs.

Models of International Terrorist Environments

• Monolithic Environment:

  • Foremost Participant: A single state sponsor.

  • State Control: Characterized as strong and direct.

  • Group Autonomy: Minimal.

  • Difficulty in Countering: Easiest to counter because options are clear.

• Strong Multipolar Environment:

  • Foremost Participant: Several different state sponsors.

  • State Control: Strong and direct.

  • Group Autonomy: Minimal.

  • Difficulty in Countering: Counter-options remain clear.

• Weak Multipolar Environment:

  • Foremost Participant: Dissident groups alongside several state sponsors.

  • State Control: Weak and insecure.

  • Group Autonomy: Strong.

  • Difficulty in Countering: Problematic and unpredictable.

• Cell-based Environment:

  • Foremost Participant: Dissident groups.

  • State Control: Weak.

  • Group Autonomy: Strong.

  • Difficulty in Countering: Problematic and unpredictable; deemed the most difficult environment to counter.

Dimensions of the New Terrorism

• Movement Case: The Afghan Arabs at War.

• Organization Case: Al Qaeda and its role in International Terrorism.

• Wartime Case: The manifestation of terrorist violence in Iraq.

Profiles of Stateless Revolutions

• Japanese Red Army (JRA):

  • Political Orientation: Secular.

  • Constituency: The oppressed people of the world.

  • Adversaries: Capitalism, Imperialism, and Zionism.

  • Benefactor: Unclear; likely the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and possibly Libya.

  • Goal: Achieving international revolution.

• Al Qaeda:

  • Political Orientation: Sectarian.

  • Constituency: Muslims across the globe.

  • Adversaries: Any identified foes of Islam.

  • Benefactor: Self-supporting; receives potential support from radical states.

  • Goal: Achieving international Islamic revolution.

• Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) – General Command:

  • Political Orientation: Ethno-nationalist.

  • Constituency: The Palestinian people.

  • Adversaries: Israel and mainline Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) groups.

  • Benefactor: Government sponsor, specifically Syria.

  • Goal: The establishment of a Palestinian state.