Types of Warfare and How They Empower Terrorists

Evolving Terrorist Threats
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Types of Warfare and how they empower terrorists
Terrorism is a strategic and violent approach that seeks to intimidate adversaries by targeting innocent civilians. Terrorists utilize various forms of warfare to achieve their objectives, shaped by their capabilities, motivations, and intended targets. Sinai's "The Evolving Terrorist Threat" identifies several types of warfare used by extremists: conventional low impact (CLI), conventional high impact (CHI), chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN), and cyber warfare.
CLI attacks are simple and inexpensive operations that involve bombings, shootings, or stabbings against soft targets like civilians, public places, or transportation systems. These attacks empower terrorists by instilling fear and panic in the broader society and challenging the security and legitimacy of authorities. They also aim to provoke an overreaction from the state, potentially radicalizing more individuals.
CHI attacks are more complex and costly operations that employ conventional means to cause mass casualties or damage, such as hijacking planes, attacking critical infrastructure, or storming government buildings. These attacks empower terrorists by inflicting severe harm on their enemies regarding human lives, physical structures, economic stability, and psychological well-being. Additionally, they showcase the terrorists' operational sophistication and coordination while also undermining societal and state confidence and resilience.
CBRN outbreaks are the most dangerous and challenging operations involving the use or threat of weapons of mass destruction, such as chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear agents or devices. These attacks empower terrorists by posing an existential threat to their adversaries and fulfilling their ideological or religious aspirations of creating an apocalyptic scenario. They also exploit vulnerabilities and gaps in prevention and detection systems.
Cyber-warfare employs a range of attacks, including hacking, denial-of-service, sabotage, espionage, and propaganda, to disrupt or damage their adversaries' information and communication systems. These attacks empower terrorists by accessing sensitive data, compromising critical infrastructure, spreading misinformation or radicalization messages, and interfering with their enemies' response capabilities. They leverage the anonymity and global reach of cyberspace.
Terrorists are Rational Actors
Terrorism is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that scholars from various disciplines have studied. The rationality of terrorists has sparked heated debates within the realm of terrorism studies. Gerstein (2017) posits a consensus, stating that terrorists are calculated agents. Their actions, far from being haphazard or nonsensical, are propelled by a web of motives and convictions that can be deciphered. This notion of terrorists as rational agents garners support from various academics. Audrey Kurth Cronin, for example, contends that terrorists employ terrorism primarily to forge profound emotional bonds with their comrades and as a tool to attain their political objectives. Even suicide bombers, she suggests, operate with lucidity (Lemann, 2010).
Contrary to this, the National Research Council (2002) asserts that terrorists are not rational actors, as they often engage in self-defeating behaviors. Equally, Max Abrahms (2008) posits that terrorists are bereft of rationality, often opting for tactics unlikely to yield their desired outcomes. In my estimation, the evidence leans towards terrorists being rational agents. Though there are instances of terrorists engaging in counterproductive behavior or selecting improbable strategies to achieve success, their beliefs and aspirations can still elucidate these actions. Furthermore, the prevalence of terrorism as a means to accomplish political goals implies a rational modus operandi.
In summation, the notion of terrorists as rational actors finds validation among numerous scholars, and the available evidence reinforces this perspective. While certain exceptions may exist, the prevailing reality remains that most terrorists act sensibly, with their actions grounded in their convictions and yearnings.
Rajneeshpuram: An Experiment to Provoke God
The video titled "Rajneeshpuram: An Experiment to Provoke God" features a religious community led by Indian guru Rajneesh, known as Osho. Established in the early 1980s on an Oregon ranch, this group sought to establish a utopian society centered around free love, meditation, and Eastern spirituality. However, they encountered considerable conflicts with residents and authorities regarding land use, zoning, and immigration matters. This community has been known to adopt various threats involving CBRN agents, such as Salmonella and HIV/AIDS biohazards, as well as chemical contamination of water sources. Additionally, they exhibited tendencies toward religious radicalization. They intended to incapacitate voters and impede their participation in county elections, which the Rajneeshees aspired to win through their candidates (Hilow, 1995).
The organization predominantly utilized salmonella typhimurium as its primary CBRN agent. Salmonella bacteria is highly prevalent as it can be transmitted through contaminated food, water, and contact with infected animals or individuals. Salmonellosis can pose a significant risk to life and often requires hospitalization or antibiotic therapy. Immune-compromised people may face additional complications such as dehydration, septicemia, arthritis, or mortality.
The threat of salmonella as a CBRN agent is still present today. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), salmonella causes approximately 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths annually in the United States (FSIS, 2022). Salmonella is highly unpredictable, as its symptoms commonly spread rapidly. Outbreaks can occur from var...