TERRORISM AND COUNTERTERRORISM

Definitions

    United States Code (Title 22, Section 2656f[d])

The term 'terrorism' means premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by sub-national groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience.  The term 'international terrorism' means terrorism involving citizens or territory of more than one country.  The term 'terrorist' group means any group practicing, or that has any significant subgroups that practice, international terrorism.

    Counterterrorism Committee of UN General Assembly (Resolution C.6/57/L.22)

The act of destroying or injuring civilian lives or the act of destroying or damaging civilian or government property without the expressly chartered permission of a specific government, thus, by individuals or groups independently or governments on their own accord and belief, in the attempt to effect some political change.

Definitional Debate

    Who Is a Terrorist?
    Who Is a Combatant vs. Noncombatant?
    What Are the Motives of Terrorists?  
    What Are the Methods Terrorists Employ?
    How is Terrorism Distinct from Other Violence?

Forms of Terrorism

    Ethnic – Hamas

    Ideological

        Political – The Order
        Religious – Aum Shinrikyo
        Ecological – Earth Liberation Front

    State-based

        State – Tonton Macoutes
        State-sponsored – Hezbollah

Counterterrorism

    Interdisciplinary and Collaborative

    Multi-focused
        
        Preventing Imminent Local Threats
        Resolving Root Causes

    Law Enforcement

        Intelligence Gathering
        Target Hardening
        Behavioral Profiling

    Education

        Teaching Tolerance
        Civic Education

    The Media

    Redressing Injustice
    
        International Policy
        Peace Building

DISCUSSION:

➢    Given the controversy surrounding behavioral profiling, should studies be conducted to determine its potential effectiveness in countering terrorism?

➢    What are the challenges to teaching tolerance and civic education in societies that breed hate and violence?

➢    Should we enter into dialogue with terrorists to enhance understanding and, thereby, identify long-term solutions?