• A major threat to global security today is terrorism, the unlawful use or threat of violence to cause fear and to advance political, religious, or ideological goals.

• Terrorists often intentionally target unarmed and unsuspecting citizens during their attacks.

Terrorism not modern phenomenon

Acts of terrorism far more common over last 200 years

Terrorism has been used to overthrow governments, fight for independence, or change society

The Middle East has become a focus of efforts against terrorist groups.

Number of worldwide attacks has increased over past few decades

Violence of attacks also increased, with few regions of world spared

Latin America, illegal drug trade

England, Irish Republican Army

South Asia, Tamil Tigers

killing 191 people and wounding 1,800

July 11, 2006. At least 137 people were killed and more than 300 others injured when seven powerful bombs ripped through crowded commuter trains in Mumbai Tuesday

July 2005 London bombings, also known as 7/7, were a series of coordinated suicide attacks on London's public transport system during the morning rush hour. The bombings were carried out by four who were motivated by Britain's involvement in the Iraq War

Russia: Armed Chechen separatist terrorists broke in and took children and teachers as hostages. 331 victims killed, most of them innocent victims.

Since 1960s more than 14,000 terrorists attacks have occurred worldwide

The goal of terrorism is destruction of what they consider the forces of evil. Evil may be located in their own

country or in other parts of the world Will use any weapon to rid evil Willing to die for the cause

Is a recent development to terrorism

Hacking computer networks or spreading computer viruses

Fear: the more that we become reliant on computers, the more this type of terrorism will grow

Social and political injustice: People choose terrorism when they are trying to right what they perceive to be a social or political or historical wrong—when they have been stripped of their land or rights, or denied these.

The belief that violence or its threat will be effective, and usher in change. Another way of saying this is: the belief that violent means justify the ends.

Part of focus because of ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict; has history of Western colonial domination leading to resentment of West among some Arabs

Region home to radical Muslim organizations claiming Islam justifies terrorist attacks against innocent civilians

In fact terrorist actions contrary to Islamic law, condemned by most Muslims

1980s, Hamas, Hezbollah, al Qaeda used terrorist tactics against Israel, Western nations

Hamas seeks to destroy Israel, create Palestinian state

Hezbollah supported by Iran, has primary goal of destruction of Israel

Iran’s support of Hezbollah—state-sponsored terrorism

Israel, United States, other nations consider Hezbollah terrorist organization

Other nations see it as legitimate resistance movement against Israel

Common weapons: Bombs and bullets Attack sites are usually crowded places

where people normally feel safe Subways, bus stops, restaurants, shopping

malls, etc…

QW 5-13-10 Knowing that the Afghanistan is

harboring terrorists, should the United States ever be willing to work with Afghanistan to create a friendship?

Terrorists Methods (global scale)Dangerous Weapons Many countries possess weapons of mass

destruction (WMDs), including Biological weapons Chemical weapons Nuclear weapons

Can cause enormous amounts of destruction Terrorist groups, governments seek to use

for own purposes

Terrorists Methods (global scale)

Biological Weapons Made with organisms, toxins

found in nature; easy, inexpensive to develop

Diseases, poisons like anthrax, plague, smallpox

1972, more than 70 nations signed treaty prohibiting production, possession

Officials worry about biological attacks by terrorist groups

Terrorists Methods (global scale)Nuclear Weapons Biggest threat to world in twenty-first

century During Cold War, U.S., Soviet Union,

60 other nations signed Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, meant to stop spread of nuclear weapons

Nearly every nation in world has agreed to this treaty

At least eight countries known to possess nuclear weapons

Others believed trying to develop them

Addressing Nuclear IssuesLegitimate Use Difficult to control

nuclear weapons Nuclear technology

can be used for legitimate purposes

International concern over development of nuclear weapons

Many countries making efforts to ensure nuclear technology used safely

Sanctions International Atomic

Energy Agency monitors countries suspected of developing nuclear weapons

Countries have placed sanctions—economic penalties, on nations considered nuclear threats

High Level Targets Terrorists might also

target something that symbolizes what they are against, such as a government building or a religious site Such target are chosen

in order get the most attention and bring the most fear

Attack on the United States Morning of 9/11 Arab

terrorists hijacked 4 airliners. In a series of coordinated

strikes the hijackers crashed 2 of the jets into Twin Towers

(NY) 1 jet into the Pentagon (DC) The forth plane crash in an

empty field (Penn)

Lives Lost

All passengers on the 4 planes were killed

About 3,000 people died in the attacks

340 firefighters and 60 police officers died

Impact 9/11 had a devastating

impact on the way Americans looked at life

Many felt everything had changed

Before Americans felt terrorism was something that happened in other countries

Terrorism was no longer a “real” threat, but a reality, Americans felt helpless and afraid

Anti-Terrorism

The federal government warned that additional attacks were likely

Department of Homeland Security was created in 2002

Coordinates national efforts against terrorism

Anti-Terrorism

Some charge that this new government office violates the rights of citizens

Government argues the validity of its actions, as during times of war, it is not unusual for civil liberties to be reduced

Anti-Terrorism

Patriot Act Detain foreigners suspected

of terrorism for 7 days