Terrorism

= = =Terrorism=

Terrorism is a huge presence in the world today. From the violence in the Middle East to new rebel groups beginning in Asia and even groups like the KKK here in the United States, terrorism is a widespread and important issue. It is also an issue that is not very well understood. What causes someone to join a radical group? Is it as abnormal as we Americans think? What is a terrorist cell? How does it work? The definition of terrorism is not even commonly agreed upon. In 2003 the US Army counted over 100 different definitions for terrorism. The one point that all definitions agree upon is that terrorism uses some form of violence or threat of violence to make a point. Throughout this article we will attempt to find out why people join terrorist groups and the causes of Terrorism, and then how we can help or understand these issues. Terrorism and its members create many far flung questions, but their motives are often misunderstood. user:magicalforresto
 * Introduction**

New research from Southampton shows that the leading motivation for joining a terrorist group may be seeking life after death. When confronted with death in the somewhat immediate future many choose to die and have their legacy live on through a group or cause, a symbolic afterlife. They become willing to self-sacrifice for a greater meaning. Another factor may be the fact that each person becomes part of the group and is accepted and appreciated. They also become part of a cultural or religious cause that they find is more meaningful than themselves and needs their sacrifice to live on. Most people can be persuaded into violence for these causes. In organizations like Al-Qaeda they believe that after death you will go on to a very nice after life with all your wants and needs met. The only draw is that you have to give up your life for the cause and Jihad to get access to this special place.
 * Why Terrorism?**

Most people feel that terrorists are drawn from a the desperately poor and are oppressed of our society. New information shows this may not be the case. It seems that the majority of terrorists come from well-educated high class lifestyle before joining these groups to try to make social and political change, usually in the name of a higer power. Others are fighting for freedom in an oppressed country and are simply labeled 'terrorists' because they go against their unfair government. Of course in some cases a terrorist group does serve as a job to simply feed your family and such. One such case is when Saddam fell and the United States dissolved the Iraqi army, putting thousands and thousands out of work. No longer able to even feed their families, they turned to give aid to groups like Al-Qaeda and the Taliban in exchange for money or shelter. Another key factor in understanding terrorist groups is that almost all people think differently. What may seem like a moral thing to do in your eyes may be completely different to another. Take Osama Bin Laden. He is seen by the American government as a symbol of evil, that just wants to kill and destroy people for an absurd reason. However, this outlook changes when you look at it from his and his followers perspective. Osama was born into an extremely wealthy family with ties to the Suddi royal family. He was educated at an elite secular school and then went on to the Kind Abdulaziz University. He chose to give up all to his wealth and education to follow what he thought was his destiny, to destroy corruption and falsity by bringing the "true religion" back to the world. While our conutry may disagree with him and his actions, Osama honestly feels he is doing what is right and restoring goodness in the world.

Terrorist cells are simply groups of terrorists, usually quite small. They have been around as early as the 12th century. The first ever known cell was a well organized and secretive group, dedicated to the assassination of Sunni leaders. The entire cell system is archetypal. A common terrorist cell is made up of a leader and two followers. The main goal of these groups is usually to gather information, do a specific task, or create more cells. The only way these cells work is for the groups to use supreme secrecy ranging from other cells to their own group members. Often times the members do not even know each other's name. When one joins one of the cells they have to make an oath. This is usually a theological, racial, or national oath that ties you to that group and your roots. These create self-discipline and supreme loyalty and are often used as a way to screen new members. From the very beginning these cells have an emphasis on violence as a political weapon. user:magicalforresto

The following website provides some insight into why terrorists perform the way they do,  user:moeeh


 * Terrorist Organizations**

There are many terrorists in the world. Some big terrorist organizations include the Al Qaeda, Taliban, Ku Klux Klan, Anti-State Justice, and Ansar Al-Islam. These are groups native to different parts of the world. Each group came together because a large number of individuals were obsessed with the same ideas or point of views on politics and society. "Terrorism" has a different meaning in all nations, but the U. S. Government defines terrorism as "premeditated, politically motivated violence". Terrorists, usually come together and act to make political statements; like how the Anti-State Justice attacked buildings of political importance to represent their anti-modern-politics idea. The tactics terrorists commonly use to make their statements and opinions heard bombings, kidnappings, and hijackings.

Al Qaeda is translated as "the base". The group was originally founded by Abdullah Yusuf Azzam in 1988. He was later replaced by the infamous terrorist Osama Bin Laden. Their goal is to end of foreign influence in Muslim countries and the creation of a new Islamic caliphate. America gave weapons and ordinance to this group to aid them in the defeat of the Soviets in the 1980's. America promised them that they would re-establish Afghanistan, but instead we attacked the country. In response, the terrorist group did the suicide hijacking of 9-11 where a plane was crashed into the World Trade Center. This demolition of the proud skyscraper resulted in 2,973 deaths. Ansar Al-Islam is translated as "Supporters of Islam". This Sunni Islamic group came together in 2001. They have a base in the Kurdish-controlled northern provinces of Iraq. They also prefer the suicidal terrorist tactics. When the US invaded Iraq in 2003, the Al Islam gave air support to a combined US Special Forces. The PUK attacked the Ansar al-Islam enclave, which did not draw Iranian artillery fire. Most of the Ansar al-Islam fighters escaped into Iran, where they were disarmed but not arrested. Many have since returned to Iraq and joined various armed groups fighting the occupation.

The Taliban was created in 1996 by Mullah Mohammed Omar. They are an extremely strict and anti-modern group. They are a sunni islamic and pushtin nationalist group that ruled most of afghanistan between 1996 and 2001 until the Northern Alliance and NATO removed their leaders from power. Just recently, on May 19th 2008, they did a suicide attack on an army base near the city of Mardan. This was an act of revenge for a suspected U.S. missile strike on a rebel hideout in Damadola that killed 14 ppl. Their response attack killed 13 people.

The Ku Klux Klan, often referred to as the KKK, was founded in 1866 by Confederate Civil War veterans Captain John C. Lester, Major James R. Crowe, John D. Kennedy, Calvin Jones, Richard R. Reed, and Frank O. McCord. This group consists of many subgroups who create mischief in their local cities, publicly displaying their hate in vandalism and acts of violence. They orignially centered their hate on the African Americans, but soon Jews, Catholics, and homosexuals were added to their hate list. Many subgroups still exist throughout America, venting their hate out on black people and other people different from them. Anti-state Justice is a terrorist group in Athens, Greece. They were responsible for 3 bombing incidents in January and February of 2006 and a few before then where they bombed cars belonging to the mayor of Therissos, a Finnish diplomat and a branch of the National Bank. This group commits their acts in favor of Yiannis Dimitrakis, a man currently in prison waiting trial for armed robbery, and who is also a suspected member of the anarchist group Thieves in Black. They are also against modernization of their government, preferring to keep to traditional ways. The first bombing was on January 3rd when they launched a bomb that destroyed two cars and the office of the ruling center-right new political party called New Democracy in Athens. The next attack was on January 23rd when they blew up a Greek post office and the office of New Democracy. On February they threw a fire bomb at a bank in Athens and damaged the ATM machine. They have not killed or harmed anyone, but expressed their statements through extensive damage to important political buildings used by the leaders of the democratic modernization movement. user:xALANAx
 * [[image:http://tjenarvi.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/tragedy-9-11-twin-tower.JPG align="left" caption="nine eleven"]]

Terror Attacks**

The last few decades have been, no doubt, a Mecca of terror. The world has seen terror from the Taliban, Al Qaeda, and many other terrorist factions that are not put under the microscope by the United States as much as these, for example the Anti-State Justice of Greece and others. Terrorists are becoming bolder, attacking more developed nations than they did previously.

In 2006 the Anti-State Justice became a very prominent terrorist group in Greece. They hold responsiblity for three major bombings of that year. Although not necessarily a very large terrorism group overall, they are still quite important to terrorism on a grand scale because of their anti authority type mind frame. If people can't rely on their government to keep them safe, who will they rely on? The Anti-State Justice did their first bombing on January 3rd in Athens; they attacked two cars and an office belonging to the right-wing political party New-Democracy. On January 23rd they targeted a post office and another office of the New Democracy. The final bombing that they have admitted to was on February 7th; they through a firebomb at an Athens bank, luckily only damaging an ATM machine that was outside the bank. They have been suspected of many other bombings however, but there is not enough evidence to give all of the blame to them.

Another, more well known terrorist faction is the Taliban. Although our nation has claimed to have defeated them in Afghanistan, they are definitely still very much alive. We are all well aware of the September 11th terrorist attack of 2001, where the Taliban and the terrorist group Al Qaeda, were held responisble. That day was a day that will be remembered by Americans for a very long time, it was of course one of the first times we have been attacked on our own soil since Pearl Harbor. It left nearly 3000 dead and an empty place in New York City, and many Americans' hearts. The Taliban and Al Qaeda are also responsible for many suicde bombings and acts of terror within the Middle East.

On March 11, 2004 there was an attack on a system of commuter trb.ains in Madrid, Spain. The bombings left two-hundred people dead and over one thousand people injured. Also, it stirred up many controversial issues because no orgainzation claimed responsiblity for the bombings, immediately atleast. There were many fingers that pointed at Al Qeada, however not enough evidence was found to back up these accusations. Soon the blame was put on a Basque terrorist group, the ETA. But again, they could not suffice to convicting them. Ultimately the Spanish government pointed fingers at a unorganized group of Al Qaeda-wannabes. Later in 2005, more trains were bombed in Europe. This time the bombings were in London on July 7th. The bombings, done by four Al Qaeda suicide bombers, killed fifty-two people and left roughly seven-hundred injured.

A newer established terrorist group in the Middle East, the Kurdish terrorist group Ansar Al-Islam, are, like the Taliban and Alqaeda, very into the whole suicde bombing gig. They supposedly had links to Sadaam Hussein, and recieved quantities of poison from him that were to be used for a grand scale terrorist attack, however they only used it on smaller scale operations, if it was used at all.

So many people think that we, the United States, are innocent when it comes to terrorism, like we do not have any major terrorist factions that originate here. But what about the Ku Klux Klan? They are definitely as much of a terrorist group as any of the others, and just as brutal. They have definitely cooled down on their attacks in the last few decades, but are still around today. Just waiting to make their next major move. We cannot act like our nation is completely innocent in the feild of terrorism. user:moeeh

**United States Involvement** Terrorism has become the present threat against the main national powers of the world, and has caused the most critical damage to the economic prowess of United States of America. The incorrect assessment of the terrorist situations afflicting the United States has led to an increased state of atrophy throughout the world. After the crucial turning point of the terrorist threat, most notable the destruction of the World Trade Center, actions were taken to eliminate those involved. Military occupations were set into action, but rather than evaluating the enemy and their motivations, the chance was seized to advance based upon false information and the gaining of resources. Previous to the recent surge of terrorist attacks, the United States was involved in the conflict between Afghanistan and the Soviets. Funding for weapons, munitions, and ordnance were acquired to support the Afghanistan cause were generated, and an agreement was formed between the US and Afghanistan. This agreement constituted that the United Sates would help to stabilize the threat of the Soviet union, and then support the rebuilding of the economy. After the drawback of the Soviets, the United States cut funding to support Afghanistan. This unsettled the agreement between the two powers, and was a major cause for the Jihad created against the US. The American advance on the middle east was partially due to the false evidence of nuclear weapons possessed by the enemy. After a careful examination of the area in question, no such armaments could be discovered. This is evidence of both a weakened source of national intelligence, and premature planning leading to unnecessary collateral damage. Much of the action the United States has taken in the war on Terrorism is based upon this, and may lead to further meaningless destruction. The possible solutions the United States could have taken are based on the understanding of the terrorist factions. The religious factors present in this particular group are perhaps their most relevant and important aspect. To create a Jihad and cause the suffering of others in the name of Allah is against the very beliefs they base their existence on. To reach their religious aspects, the political powers of the United States could have initiated a month of fasting and repentance. This act of Ramadan is very important to their belief systems, and would show the wrong that they had committed in their attacks. The raising of conflict in the middle east may be irreversible now. The economic strength of the United States has been spent on fighting a war in which the enemies' hatred only grows with each reaction of premature aggression. Resources and supplies are being held as several powers seek short term advantages in conflict, only to leave the Middle East at a great disadvantage, and the economy in a weakened state. Terrorist threats have only help to increase the danger. If there are any solutions, it may take decades to repair that which was disrupted. user:Trazic_warrior

** What can we do? ** The last question is how we can deal with terrorism in the world today. Right now the United States in trying to end terrorism with violence. Even if every terrorist in the world was killed the main problem would still remain. Terrorism is a type of idealology, something that can't be destroyed with the deaths of a leader or the fall of an organization like Al Qaeda. This makes fighting terrorism very tricky. Straight violence doesn't work, simply fueling the fires between the terrorists and the United States, though in some cases it is necessary. While terrorism can never be fully destroyed it can be reduced or redirected.

One of the first steps we can take is to pull out of the Middle East. All we are doing there is creating more terrorists and more hate. We also need to work towards promoting understanding on both sides. A lot of the fuel against the western world coming from the Middle East stems from our single minded nature. We do not like to look at there being one more way of religion or government that works and is 'right'.Both the United States and this huge group we labeled the 'terrorists' just want to make change in some way, be it politically or socially. The next step in cutting down on terrorism is trying to allow this change to be made in a non-violent way, which is very difficult.

Another positive change that has to be made is trying to help build healthy infastructures and governments, ones that are free from corruption, work well, and actually help the people, not the rich. Along with these changes poverty and hunger would have to start to be eliminated. These are all things that contribute in some way to people becoming terrorists. If you eliminate these problems people would be happier and their quality of life would be better, hopefully causing them to seek peace.

The final step, at least in the Middle East, is to stop stereotyping and degrading the Muslim faith. For example putting all Muslims in league with the extremists. If we acted more humanly to their religion and way of life simply put, they would not hate us so much. This should be easily accomplished and sadly has not been. No one makes any effort to understand the people we were supposedly trying to help in the beginning of the war. The road ahead to peace between these groups and the United States is a long one, but hopefully one that can someday be reached with just a little bit of work and understanding from all the parties involved. user:magicalforresto

**Why is this a global concern?** Terrorism is easily a global concern. All across the world terrorist attacks occur everyday, ranging from small, almost unnoticed events to huge car bombs like those currently seen in Iraq. Terrorist organizations stretch over the world. Most operate in small cells which go unnoticed until they enact their plans, or never do anything at all. These groups are all across the world because anywhere there is a group trying to make some kind of change with force, there is a terrorist group. This is simply because there always will be people in every country who feel like they need to make social, political, etc. change and know or have no other way than through violence. Between our invasion of Iraq and 2005 global terror attacks had grown by %5000. There were 11,111 know global terror attacks and 14,602 known deaths in that year as well, says U.S. statistics. So yes, terrorism is a global concern and a growing one at that which is misunderstood again and again. user:magicalforresto


 * Action**

Our group decided to make a pamphlet explaining terrorism's roots and how we can promote understanding and work towards peace and goodness. We also wrote a leader that will be sent to someone important detailing the harsh view of the Muslim world by us Americans and how trying to show a little love to their faith and lifestyle. user:magicalforresto


 * Editorial**

The world has been ravaged by terrorism these last few years. This is not a new thing. Terrorism has been a part of our world for thousands of years. Any time a group wanted to make change and worked towards it using violence they were using the definition of terrorism. The people usually involved in terrorism are usually somewhat educated folks who are using terrorism for a specific goal, be it social, political, or religious change. There are numerous other factors that go into somewhat joining a terrorist organization, including poverty, hunger, corruption, etc. All of these effects need to be looked at thoroughly to cut down on terrorism.

The last few years terrorism has exploded across the world. From 9/11 to the London train bombings, terrorism affects many many people. This growing number of usually Middle Eastern extremists is do from our actions in Iraq and the surrounding areas. We have enraged the Muslim world by not showing any respect to their culture or wants, and it shows by the spiking number of terrorists and attacks. Religion is extremely important in the Middle East, and we again and again step all over it.

The best way to reducing terrorism our group has decided, is by trying to by respectful to the Middle East and understanding of their goals, while also helping against poverty and hunger, as well as fighting corruption and ties to the rich. __user:magicalforresto__

__ Works Cited __ “Incidents”. Terrorism Research. < http://www.terrorism-research.com/incidents/> “Groups”. Terrorism Research. < http://www.terrorism-research.com/groups/> “Organizations”. Terrorism 101. < http://www.terrorism101.org/organizations/index.html> “Explaining Terrorism”. Center for Defense Information. < http://www.cdi.org/program/issue/index.cfm?ProgramID=39&issueid=138> Center for Defense Information. < http://www.cdi.org/program/document.cfm?documentid=2381&programID=39&from_page=../friendlyversion/printversion.cfm> “The Madrid Bombings”. Heritage Foundation. http://www.heritage.org/Research/Europe/wm445.cfm> “Terrorist Networks”. Center for Defense Information. < http://www.cdi.org/program/issue/index.cfm?ProgramID=39&issueid=56> “Terrorism and Homeland Security”. RAND. < http://www.rand.org/research_areas/terrorism/> “Predicting Terrorist Attacks”. Wired. < [|http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/02/predicting-terr.html]> “Significant Terrorist Incidents, 1961-2003”. U.S. Department of State. < [|http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/pubs/fs/5902.htm]> “Terrorist Attacks”. Infoplease. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001454.html> user:moeeh