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Terrorism 1
Terrorism 1
Terrorism 1
TERRORISM
TERRORISM is an act composed of at least
4 crucial elements.
• It is an act of violence
WARFARE: State actors target other state actors for political goals (e.g., military battles).
STATE TERRORISM: State actors target civilians for political goals (e.g., government using violence
against its own people).
CONVENTIONAL CRIME: Targeting anyone for personal gain (e.g., robbery, kidnapping for ransom).
TERRORISM: Targeting civilians for political or ideological goals (e.g., bombings to spread fear).
Important consideration
These categories sometimes overlap.
Terrorism is the use of violence or threats of violence to achieve political or social goals.
Terrorists target civilians to spread fear and intimidation. Extremism can be a breeding
ground for terrorism, but not all extremists become terrorists
NOTABLE TERRORIST GROUPS ACROSS THE IDEOLOGICAL
SPECTRUM, HIGHLIGHTING THEIR CORE BELIEFS AND ACTIVITIES
NOTABLE TERRORIST GROUPS ACROSS THE IDEOLOGICAL
SPECTRUM, HIGHLIGHTING THEIR CORE BELIEFS AND ACTIVITIES
NOTABLE TERRORIST GROUPS ACROSS THE IDEOLOGICAL
SPECTRUM, HIGHLIGHTING THEIR CORE BELIEFS AND ACTIVITIES
NOTABLE TERRORIST GROUPS ACROSS THE IDEOLOGICAL
SPECTRUM, HIGHLIGHTING THEIR CORE BELIEFS AND ACTIVITIES
Anders Behring Breivik is a Norwegian far-right extremist and mass murderer. He's best known for committing the 2011
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Norway attacks on July 22nd. Here's a summary of his actions and some ongoing issues:
The Attacks:
Breivik detonated a van bomb in Oslo's government district, killing eight people.
He then traveled by ferry to Utøya island, where he carried out a mass shooting at a Workers' Youth League summer camp.
Sixty-nine people, mostly teenagers, were killed.
Motivations and Ideology:
Breivik adheres to a racist and Islamophobic ideology. He claims he was on a mission to stop "multiculturalism" and the
"Islamization of Europe."
He wrote a lengthy manifesto outlining his extremist views.
Legal Proceedings and Current Situation:
Breivik was found guilty of terrorism and murder and sentenced to 21 years' imprisonment, the maximum penalty in Norway
at the time. The sentence can be extended if he's deemed a continued threat.
He has repeatedly sought parole but has been denied.
In 2022, he argued in court that his prison isolation violated his human rights. The court ruled against him.
Breivik's case is significant for several reasons:
It raises questions about balancing security and human rights in the treatment of terrorists.
It highlights the dangers of far-right extremism and online radicalization.
It serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of terrorism on individuals, families, and communities.
Theodore "Ted" Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber, was an American mathematician and domestic terrorist. Here's a closer look at his life and crimes:
Kaczynski believed that technology was destroying nature and human freedom.
Between 1978 and 1995, he mailed or delivered 16 bombs targeting universities, airlines, and individuals he associated with technology advancement.
Three people were killed and 23 were injured in his attacks.
He wrote a 35,000-word manifesto, "Industrial Society and Its Future," outlining his anti-technology ideology.
Capture and Aftermath:
Kaczynski's brother, David, recognized the ideas in the manifesto published by the FBI and turned him in.
Kaczynski was arrested in 1996 and pleaded guilty to the bombings in exchange for a life sentence without parole.
He died in prison in 2023.
Lasting Impact:
The Unabomber case remains a chilling example of domestic terrorism fueled by ideology.
Kaczynski's manifesto continues to be debated by extremists and social critics.
The case raises questions about the balance between technological progress and its potential downsides.
Important to Note:
Yousef, born in Kuwait to Pakistani and Palestinian parents, was a key figure in several major terrorist attacks.
He's believed to be behind the 1993 World Trade Center bombing that killed six people and injured over 1,000.
Yousef was also involved in the Bojinka plot, a plan to bomb multiple passenger airliners over the Pacific Ocean in 1995, which was
fortunately thwarted.
Motivations and Ideology:
Yousef is believed to have been motivated by a radical Islamist ideology. He aimed to strike at the US and other symbols of Western power.
Some sources claim he may have had ties to Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, his nephew and another notorious terrorist.
The exact details of his ideology are not fully public, but it likely involved a combination of anti-Western sentiment, religious extremism, and
a desire to inflict mass casualties.
Capture and Repercussions:
Yousef's actions serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of Islamist extremism and the devastating impact of terrorism.
His plots, especially the Bojinka plan, foreshadowed the tactics used in the September 11th attacks in 2001.
Understanding Yousef's motivations and the broader context of Islamist terrorism is crucial for preventing future attacks.
COMMONLY STATED ACTIVITIES OF TERRORISM, KEEPING IN MIND THAT TERRORISM IS A
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COMPLEX PHENOMENON AND THESE ACTIVITIES CAN SOMETIMES OVERLAP :
Targeted killings: Terrorists may target specific individuals like government officials,
religious leaders, journalists, or civilians they perceive as enemies of their cause.
Chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) attacks: These are the most horrific forms of terrorism,
aiming to cause mass casualties and widespread fear through the use of chemical, biological, radiological, or
nuclear weapons. Thankfully, such large-scale attacks are rare.
Cyberterrorism: Disrupting critical infrastructure, stealing sensitive data, or causing economic damage through
cyberattacks are all potential methods used by terrorists.
Threats and intimidation: Spreading fear through threats of violence, hate speech, or online propaganda can be a
tactic to manipulate a population or coerce a government.
It's important to remember that not all violence is terrorism. Here are some key distinctions:
Warfare: Targets legitimate military objectives and follows the rules of armed conflict.
Criminal activity: Motivated by personal gain or criminal enterprise, not a political or ideological agenda.
Targets: On one axis, you have "State Actors" (governments, military) and "Civilians" (regular people).
Motivations: The other axis has "Political Goals" (changing government, influencing policy) and "Personal
Gain" (money, revenge).
Combatants, Noncombatants, and
the Use of Force
Combatants:
Additional Considerations: