Unique Characteristics of Today's Terrorism
In Howard and Sawyer, eight unique characteristics of the today’s terrorism are identified. General Howard’s initial characteristic, the disruption of American homeland security by the 9/11 attacks, encompasses a number of salient points. First, the 9/11 attacks were unprecedented in scale, sophistication of planning, and devastation. Second, 9/11 provides an excellent example of terrorism’s impact on the international system and domestic policy. It was the catalyst to an intensified American engagement in the global struggle against Islamic extremism and the most significant re-assessment of American national security and foreign policy since 1947. It ushered in a new US global footprint, a proactive security policy, and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. Perhaps most importantly, 9/11 renewed awareness among the American population that they are part of a global community that can hurt as well as benefit them.
The 9/11 attacks also epitomized a commitment on the part of terrorist groups to greater violence and causing mass casualties. Previous concerns that too many deaths would diminish a group’s legitimacy have been replaced by a new shock value of the grand attack. Furthermore, terrorism today is globalized. What has caused this globalization? In the 1890’s, the anarchists pursued a regional strategy aimed at overthrowing the existing regime; current terrorists have similar transnational objectives. However, they combined global goals with the ability to execute global actions. Global issues have replaced single society, issue oriented, or government directed terrorism. In the next lesson, you will read a speech by Secretary Napolitano that recognizes the global nature of terrorism and the need for a global response.
Islamic extremism is a significant contributor to this globalization. Part of the reason lies in Islam’s global presence and part is encouraged by a sense of humiliation and frustration that Islamic extremists feel the West and apostate secular rulers are inflicting upon their religion. When combined with violence, the latter reflect jihadi salafism. Salafists profess that Islam may only be purified by return to the way it was practiced by the Prophet Muhammad and the four rightly guided caliphs who succeeded him. They espouse the simplicity of God’s unity that is being threatened by secularism and in their most radical or jihadist form, salafist require the use of force to re-establish religious purity and eliminate of infidels. As a result, violence becomes the vehicle for abolishing any barriers to people reforming their thoughts. (Stout et. al. 2008 p. 12)
In case there is any perception that anti-Western feelings may die, a perceived or actual sense of anti-Islamic feelings always can gain momentum whether it is from the old stand-by of Israel’s existence to Al Qaeda’s designation of Muslim regimes in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and elsewhere in the Arabian Gulf who Al Qaeda as takfirs (i.e., apostates or unbelievers) to segregation and insensitive caricatures in Europe. Groups such as Al Qaeda perpetuate hating the West and Americans for “what we do” and “who we are” and a result will continue to gain adherents. (Anonymous 2004 p. 207)
Terrorist groups’ ability to pursue a global strategy of destruction and retain their resiliency is a result of refined internal and external operations that also separate today’s terrorists from many of their predecessors. Internally, groups such as Al Qaeda and its associates are better trained and maintain superior internal security. Training differentiates professional and amateur terrorists. Applying the premises of modern business, the “new jihadist” tendency towards being better educated and more adept with the tools of modernity reduces the learning curve and expands their operational capability, (Scheuer 2005).
Although not mentioned by Howard, terrorists today are comfortable using modern technologies such as the web, GPS systems, and video phones. These technological enhancements allow organizations and self-directed individuals to recruit, maintain a radicalized community, train, maintain a higher level of security, and ultimately exploit and publicize their achievements. Technology has become the ultimate globalizing feature by eliminating time, geography, and even financial barriers to terrorist activities. The exploits of Younis Tsouli, known at Irhabi007 or Terrorist007, provides evidence. Prior to his arrest in October 2005 in London, Irhabi007 was the cyber-terrorist extraordinare. He guided others to sites to enhance their radicalization and provide training, served as an on-line propagandist, and was al Zarqawi's publicist. The impact of technology on terrorist operations was further evident in the Mumbai attacks of November 2008, in which ten attackers were directed by an external handler using a variety of communication technologies to direct movements, select targets, and ultimately order the attackers to commit suicide.
Howard’s final points relate to financing and knowing when victory has been achieved. It may be argued that post-9/11 efforts at reducing terrorist access to funding reduce financing as a separator between old and new terrorism. However, it also might be argued that coalescence of terrorists and criminals has resulted in an increase in criminal funding. Thus, I contend while some form of financing such as direct contributions from charities to terrorists has been reduced, the flow of funds from drug trafficking and other illicit activity is higher. The victory subject remains valid because the goal is containment and mitigation because vanquishing the other side is impossible.