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Overview of TerrorismUnderstanding Terrorism

10th Annual

Emergency Management Conference

San Juan, PR

May 22, 2000

Dr. George Buck

University of South Florida

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Definition of Terrorism

Terrorism actually comes from the Latin Word “Fear”

“The Unlawful Use of Force Against Persons or Property to Intimidate or Coerce a Government, the Civilian Population, or Segment Thereof, in the Furtherance of Political or Social Objectives.”(Source FBI)

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Definition of Terrorism

However the Media defines “Terrorism” for the day’s news events

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Paradigm

New York’s World Trade Center Bombed

Middle Eastern Terrorist.

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Paradigm

Oklahoma City Bombing

Middle Eastern Man detained

However, the boy next door did it

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Paradigm

Tokyo Subway “PARADIGM BROKEN”

The Harbor Incident (United States)

Chemical Attack

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Terrorism Priorities

The priories’ in the United States relating to the threats of Terrorism is Domestic in nature.

August 7, 1998 3:30 am Eastern Time

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Terrorism Priorities

The priories’ in the United States relating to the threats of Terrorism is International in nature.

August 7, 1998 3:40 am Eastern Time

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Terrorism Priorities

TodayBiological

Conventional Weapons

Dirty Bombs

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The Terrorist and their Thinking

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Two Types of Groups

Domestic/

National

International

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Domestic TerrorismIt’s Roots

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The Birth of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK)

June 9, 1866

Started as a Social Organization by General

Nathan Bedford

All of the founding members were college educated

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Domestic Terrorism

Groups believe that the time has come to arm themselves in defense of their liberties.

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Domestic Terrorism(National)

Terroristic activities of groups or individuals directed at elements or the

U.S. Government or population without foreign direction

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Domestic Terrorism

The time has come to arm ourselves.

The Declaration of Independence itself says that “whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness],

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Domestic Terrorism

“It is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it.”

Thomas Jefferson advised that “the tree of liberty must be watered periodically with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”

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Domestic Terrorism

Timothy McVeigh’s

favorite T-shirt

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National Terrorism, It’s Thinking

National - Who Wrote the Constitution, Before 1866?

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The Social Contract

The Declaration of Independence was the Promise; the Constitution was the fulfillment.

1866 the fulfillment and promise was broken.

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Armed Forces of National Liberation.

The FALN has claimed responsibility for numerous bombings in the United States; its 1975 bombing of Fraunces Tavern in New

York killed four and injured 63.

Attacked U.S. government targets

in Puerto Rico.

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National and International Join Forces

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International Terrorism

War by Proxy

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International Terrorism

War by Nations (States)

or

Causes

International - Disrupt Daily.

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Terrorist Motives

Ethnic Cleansing Damage Infrastructure Disrupt Normal Life Direct Kill of an

Enemy

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Terrorist Motives Undermine Confidence In Government

- Requires Media Coverage

- Should effect as many people as possible

- Must last long enough to overwhelm (NYC)

Local resources

Media audience

- Usually directed towards injury fatality (International Terrorist)

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Target Selection

Based on:

Motive Type of Device Available Type of Deployment

Method Available

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Thinking Outside the Box

They ARE!!

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Types of Terrorist Incidents

Four Primary Types for

Emergency Services

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Terrorist Incidents

Explosives and Arson Nuclear Materials Biological Agents Chemical Agents

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Explosives and Arson

70% of Attacks Worldwide Maximizes Property Damage Target Individuals (Letter or Package

Bombs) Destroy Building, Aircraft, Monuments,

etc.. Large Devices, Truck or Car Bombs

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Operational Procedures for Terrorist Incidents

FACTORS FOR PREPARINGCommon Weapons

Stand-off Weapons

Super Terrorism

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Operational Changes

Emergency Services strategic thinker must be willing to “think the unthinkable” so that appropriate responses may be conceived.

Do not overstate the threat.

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Terrorist Units and Cells:A Functional Approach

Funding

• Sources: crime, harvesting• Processing and management, •Nation States

Training

• Recruitment • Instructors• Sites• Equipment

Intelligence

• Supplied• Gathered• Internet/other open source• Information and politics

Logistics

• Equipment & supplies• Other essentials• Sources

Operations

• One-man• Team• Multilateral/ collaborative

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Government Response to Terrorism:

A Functional Approach

Funding

• Sources: •Federal, State and •Local Taxes

Training

• Recruitment • Instructors• Sites• Equipment

Intelligence

• Supplied• Gathered• Internet/other open source• Information and politics

Logistics

• Equipment & supplies• Other essentials• Sources

Operations

• One-man• Team• Multilateral/ collaborative

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Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction

Terrorist Targets and their Terrorist Targets and their WeaponsWeapons

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Common Weapons

Fertilizer Bombs Dynamite Semtex Automatic and Semi-automatic and Pistols

remain the weapons of choice.

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Stand-Off Weapons

American Stinger Russian SA-7 Hand-Held Anti-Aircraft

missiles US Army Light Anti-tank Weapon (LAW) Russian RPG-7 Anti-Tank Weapon And Increasing Bombing Technologies.

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Where is Terrorism Going?

The CYBER World

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ARE YOU READY??

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HE IS!!!!!!!!!