Violence & Terrorism 03/04

UNIT 1. The Concept of Terrorism 1. Defining International Terrorism: A Pragmatic Approach, Thomas J. Badey, Terrorism and Political Violence , Spring 1998 Defining international terrorism has traditionally been a difficult task. This article attempts to establish a more lucid and functional definition of terrorism. 2. Defining Terrorism: Is One Man's Terrorist Another Man's Freedom Fighter?, Boaz Ganor, The International Policy Institute for Counter-Terrorism , September 23, 1998 This article offers a well thought out description of what terrorism is and what it is not. It also defines terrorism as something that falls outside the accepted rules of traditional warfare. UNIT 2. Causes of Terrorism 3. Why America? The Globalization of Civil War, Martha Crenshaw, Current History , December 2001 According to Martha Crenshaw, terrorism should be seen as a strategic reaction to American power in the context of a globalized civil war. Extremists' religious beliefs play a role in motivating terrorism, but they also display an instrumental logic. 4. Terror Hits Home: The Colossus With an Achilles Heel, Paul Kennedy, New Perspectives Quarterly , Fall 2001 Paul Kennedy analyzes the effects of America's commercial superiority and powerful influence. The United States dedicates a great deal of money and resources to military spending and homeland security. How is this affecting the U.S. image abroad, and is it the correct response? 5. Ghosts of Our Past, Karen Armstrong, Modern Maturity , January/February 2002 In order to fully understand the war on terrorism, it is necessary to explore the past incidents that have served as catalysts over time. We cannot understand the present crisis without taking into account the painful process of modernization and the effects of the "Great Western Transformation" on the Muslim world. 6. The Terrorist Mentality, Paul B. Davis, Cerebrum: The Dana Forum on Brain Science , Summer 2001 Paul Davis explores the psyche of a terrorist. He concludes that "much contemporary terrorism seems to be predicated on excessive resentment and extreme self-righteousness." UNIT 3. Strategies and Tactics of Terrorism 7. The Fourth Wave: September 11 in the History of Terrorism, David C. Rapoport, Current History , December 2001 "The September 11, 2001, attack has created a resolve in America and elsewhere to end terror everywhere. But the history of terror does not inspire much confidence that this determination will be successful," says David Rapoport. 8. The Philippines: Haunted by Kidnapping, Zhai Kun, Beijing Review , January 31, 2002 Zhai Kun discusses kidnappings by groups such as Abu Sayyaf and the Philippine government's response to this technique that adds ransom collection to terrorism. 9. Suicide Terrorism: Development & Characteristics, Yoram Schweitzer, The International Policy Institute for Counter-Terrorism , April 21, 2000 This lecturepresented at the International Conference on Countering Suicide Terrorism at Herzeliya, Israel, on February 21, 2000provides the background of suicide terrorism and suggests ways to prevent or impede these attacks. 10. Diagnosing the Risks, Time , October 8, 2001 Among terrorist experts the focus of concern has shifted from a single large-scale assaultwhich would be difficult to pull offto a series of smaller attacks that could be just as damaging to the U.S. economy and public morale. How real are these threats? UNIT 4. State-Sponsored Terrorism 11. Overview of State-Sponsored Terrorism, from Patterns of Global Terrorism2000 , U.S. State Department, April 2001 In this position paper, which was written before the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the United States, the U.S. Coordinator for Counterterrorism emphasizes how big the scope of terrorism is in the world today. 12. North Korea Deserves to Remain on U.S. List of Sponsors of Terrorism, Balbina Hwang, The Heritage Foundation Backgrounder , November 19, 2001 Should North Korea continue to be included on the U.S. Department of State's list of states that sponsor terrorism ? Balbina Hwang says yes and explains why. 13. Syria's Accession to the UN Security Council and U.S. Policy, Robert Satloff, Policy Watch , October 5, 2001 Robert Satloff's analytic look at the background and prevalence of terrorism in Syria, is critical of Syria's role in the postSeptember 11 world. 14. Dealing With State Sponsors of Terrorism, Meghan L. O'Sullivan, Brookings Institution , October 25, 2001 Meghan O'Sullivan explores the difficulties in identifying state sponsorship of transnational terrorist networks. She says that denying terrorist organizations sanctuary and support from any and all countries will help disrupt and ultimately cripple terrorism's newest transnational form. UNIT 5. International Terrorism 15. The International Terrorism Threat Is Changing, National Commission on Terrorism , August 2, 2001 This position publication of the National Commission on Terrorism discusses some important questions regarding terrorists: Who are the international terrorists ? What are their motives? How do they get their support? How do we stop them? 16. "Deja Vu All Over Again?" Why Dialogue Won't Solve the Kashmir Dispute, Arun R. Swamy, Analysis From the East-West Center , November 2001 Offering new solutions to the Pakistan-India fight for Kashmir, Arun Swamy argues that there has never been a greater need for international attention to Kashmir. 17. Mexican Indians Making Pilgrimage for Rights, Elliot Blair Smith, USA Today , February 22, 2001 Elliott Smith discusses the problems of Indians in the Chiapas region of Mexico and attempts by the Zapatista National Liberation Army to mobilize indigenous peoples. 18. Terror in the Pyrenees, Miren Gutierrez, The Nation , March 25, 2002 Miren Gutierrez provides a historical overview of Euskadi Ta Askatasuna, the Basque Fatherland and Liberty movement in Spain, and discusses contemporary efforts toward peace. UNIT 6. Terrorism in America 19. Is FBI Following the Wrong Trail?, John Berlau, Insight , January 28, 2002 Who is responsible for the anthrax scare shortly after the September 11, 2001, attacks? While the FBI believes the culprit was working from inside the United States, some experts believe that there is evidence for foreign involvement. 20.Vietri, Lois is the author of 'Violence & Terrorism 03/04' with ISBN 9780072816921 and ISBN 0072816929.