International Terrorism

Terrorism
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OUTLINE
 TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u  HYPERLINK \l "_Toc400390210"
A. Introduction  PAGEREF _Toc400390210 \h
3
 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc400390211"
B. Nature of Terrorism  PAGEREF _Toc400390211 \h
3
 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc400390212"
C.Models of Terrorism and Campaigns  PAGEREF _Toc400390212 \h
5
I.  HYPERLINK \l "_Toc400390213"
Guerrilla Warfare (rural and urban models)  PAGEREF _Toc400390213 \h
5
 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc400390214"
Rural Guerrilla Warfare  PAGEREF _Toc400390214 \h
6
 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc400390215"
Urban Guerrilla Warfare  PAGEREF _Toc400390215 \h
7
II.  HYPERLINK \l "_Toc400390216"
Newer Models of Terrorism  PAGEREF _Toc400390216 \h
8
 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc400390217"
State Terrorism  PAGEREF _Toc400390217 \h
8
 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc400390218"
Bioterrorism  PAGEREF _Toc400390218 \h
9
 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc400390219"
Cyber Terrorism  PAGEREF _Toc400390219 \h
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 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc400390220"
Eco-Terrorism  PAGEREF _Toc400390220 \h
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III.  HYPERLINK \l "_Toc400390221"
Group Sizing and Campaigns  PAGEREF _Toc400390221 \h
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 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc400390222"
D. Financing Modern Terrorism  PAGEREF _Toc400390222 \h
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I.  HYPERLINK \l "_Toc400390223"
Illegal funding methods  PAGEREF _Toc400390223 \h
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II.  HYPERLINK \l "_Toc400390224"
Hidden Transfers and Legal Funding Of Terrorism  PAGEREF _Toc400390224 \h
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III.  HYPERLINK \l "_Toc400390225"
Political Economy of Terrorism  PAGEREF _Toc400390225 \h
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IV.  HYPERLINK \l "_Toc400390226"
Drugs and Terrorism  PAGEREF _Toc400390226 \h
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 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc400390227"
E. Conclusion  PAGEREF _Toc400390227 \h
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References  PAGEREF _Toc400390228 \h
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A. Introduction
Terrorism is not a new concept as it has been around for quite some time. As such, its relatively hard to define terrorism in one complete statement and represent all the aspects that it depicts. This means that depending on the organization that is involved, terrorism can be defined in a number of ways, with reference to strategies or tactics in play. It takes the form of a crime, a holy duty and it almost always tends to be some form of reaction to oppression real or imagines (Pain, 2014). However, it is important to emphasize that it is one of the most inexcusable abomination regardless of the rights and ideologies that the perpetrators have in mind. In most of the cases, depending on the aspects behind the terror attacks, the weaker side of the conflict prior to the acts is the one that more often than not results to terrorism (Stanton, 2013). The acts of terrorism for any of the groups that are perpetrating the heinous acts confer power shifts that are quite coercive and at the same time the groups are assured of military advantages at the fraction of the cost. The massive funding projects and the organization structures within these terrorist groups, makes it very hard to deter their acts across the world nations.
B. Nature of Terrorism
In most of the cases that have been studied, terrorism takes many forms. However, there some aspects that define the underlying motivation of the group members. As such, of all the terror attacks that have been perpetrated since the birth of these strategies and tactics, religion, politics and ideologies are at the center of each and every one of them (Pain, 2014). Regardless of the scale of the organizations or the tactics and the strategies used, the three platforms are shown in the backdrop of the attacks (Terrorism, Nature Of, 2013).
It is also important to note that all terror attacks are founded on three pillars. These are pillar that entrench the goals of the groups across the board regardless of their platform mentioned above. In all the cases where these terror organizations have been active, fear, intimidation and violence, have been their core to the success of the atrocities. One of the main elements that come out with reference to the pillars of terrorism is that they all instill terror in the social fabric of the intended targets. Terrorists’ acts can also be viewed as performances that are well orchestrated. They are designed in such a way that they tend to have very lasting psychological effects on the target population (Terrorism, Nature Of, 2013). This means that they are carried out in a manner that they will have massive damage to property or human life regardless of the scale. This means that all the acts of terrorism are designed and carried out in manner that they draw maximum attention within the public beyond the immediate victim of the act.
It is also common that all the victims that are chosen represent what the group opposes. Ideally, the effectiveness of the acts of terror does not lie within the actual acts themselves, but the reaction of the target group to whom the message is being passed. In an example, this year there have been some disturbing images coming from Syria and Iraq. In the video and pictorial representation, the terror groups have shown beheading of persons that they feel represent what they oppose. A close look into the footage released will also show that the choice of the victims was precise, as most of the victims have been journalists (Pain, 2014). This means that the terrorist groups understand the power of journalism, using the world news rooms and their teams to pass their message to the world.
C. Models of Terrorism and Campaigns
I. Guerrilla Warfare (rural and urban models)
Guerrilla warfare mainly refers to the acts of a small group of fighters fighting a much larger military group, a police force or other insurgent groups that are politically or ideologically opposed. The small scale actions are fast paced and very irregular to reduce the aspects of being predictable. The small groups of fighters can be independent or they can be in conjunction with larger military or political strategic groups. At the heart of guerrilla tactics are deception, intelligence, sabotage, espionage and ambush. These are key elements to undermining the ruling faction of authority in any given setting.
Unlike terrorism, guerrilla wars are much older and date back to the 18th century, with suggested origins in France and Spain. Most of the practitioners of the guerrilla tactics have been branded as mercenaries, partisans, insurgents, rebels and irregulars. It is common for the fighters to be part of the civilian population or militants. These groups will more often than not be attempting to overthrow the current administration or will be opposed to the various ways that the current administrative powers are being used within the society. Regardless of whether the guerrilla warfare takes the form of an urban outfit or a rural outfit the main aspects of its structure is that, there is always a political outfit and a military outfit. Above the two major outfits is the leadership of the entire group and head of operation on either front. This makes it easier for the group to create terror while at the same time the political wing is edging in on the policies. Terrorist groups have the ability to form a government structure given their political and military might
Rural Guerrilla Warfare
Characteristically, the guerrilla wars were fought by persons that would take advantage of the rural terrain in the countryside. As such, they would use the advantage of familiarity with the geography of the area to launch their attacks on the military personnel and the resources of heir perceived enemy. This meant that the guerrilla members would organize and carry out small scale tactical assaults on small groups of the military they are opposed to, while avoiding massive populations of their enemy. Using the small controlled attacks the soldiers in the guerrilla armies would minimize the rate of casualties on their side while maximizing the same on the enemy. To make sure that the attacks take the maximum effect within the shortest time possible, the guerillas would keep the plans secret and when they attack, it would be quick and clinical. This way they would minimize chances of their forces incurring casualties (Kozikowski, 2014).
At the same time the foes do not have the chance to launch a retaliatory attack against the guerillas. Ideally the attacks are organized in such a manner that they target vulnerable groups of their enemy and raid, sabotage and ambush causing death and destruction. Multiple attacks meant to weaken, would be leveled against the enemy until the latter concedes (Kozikowski, 2014). Most of the attacks take place at night and the subsequent attacks take place furthest from the prior location. Attacks in the night are done to make sure that the enemy sustains maximum casualties due to the reduced visibility. At the same time the soldiers in the guerrilla armies would move in the night, so that they are not noticed by the enemy, or they are not reported by the civilians making their attacks a surprise, fast and clinical. Given that the guerillas have to be always on the move, they have to establish connections with the neighboring populations. This means that the neighboring populations would have to be corporative and hide the whereabouts of the armies (Kozikowski, 2014). Persons that are seen or found to be collaborating with the enemy would serve as an example to the rest as they would be punished.
Urban Guerrilla Warfare
Sometimes the guerillas fight through the forested terrains and end up penetrating to the urban areas close by. Where the guerillas settle in the urban areas, they tend to be part of a much larger group and operating under the instructions of a distant base station, preferably in a remote area. As such, much of their functions are used as a preparation for a much larger attack. In most of the cases, they will be used to disrupt certain function such as traffic, communications, energy or other major amenities as a distraction or as a prerequisite of a major attack (Trackingterrorism.org, 2014).
There are quite some differences in the urban warfare compared to the rural ones. Most of the members of the guerrilla in the urban areas have a specific location of residence. This means that their attacks have to be highly coordinated to avoid compromise of the residential areas. At the same time the weapons are small and light weight, used primarily for defense (Trackingterrorism.org, 2014). Use of the weapons is limited to high levels of aggression to avoid giving away the surprise elements. It is important to note that the guerrilla warfare tactics much modern day terrorism are designed and orchestrated in a manner that they instill fear in the population and the opposing authority.
II. Newer Models of Terrorism
Over the years the acts of terror have evolved as the political, religious and diverse ideologies take shape over a changing social economic landscape. However, the pillars of terrorism have remained over the years. At the same time the motivations factors are still aligned along differences in ideologies, politic and religious believes (Zalman, 2014). Terror group instill terror in their perceived opposition, using violence, intimidating and fear. There are several form of terrorism that have come over the years, most them taking advantage of technology and related advances. The differences are brought about by the attack agents used and more often also take the theme of what the attackers are trying to defend.
State Terrorism
This one of the most controversial forms of terrorism as it is perpetrated by the ruling government on its own citizenry or another country’s citizens. A state can be described as being a terrorist, where it tries to achieve its political or economic goals through the he aspects of instilling fear in the citizens. It is important to note that, there is a difference between fighting other military factions and declaring war on civilians (Zalman, 2014). The latter condition has to be met, in order to declare a government as having acted in a terrorism manner. This also goes for the aggression that may take place between two states. If a government uses its military to target civilians in the opposing country, which ...