Key Actors

Terrorist attacks on defenseless citizens are nothing new; history is replete with examples. But in today’s context, experts on contemporary terrorism tactics and media impact generally trace modern day, terrorist group modus operandi to the 1972 Black September attacks at the Munich Olympics. Based on your individual research from previous courses and/or prior awareness of terrorism, think about those national leaders, criminals, etc. (domestic or international) whom you feel played a prominent pre-9/11 role in either constraining or exacerbating conditions that led to the 9/11 attacks on our Nation's CIKR. Certainly President Clinton, Osama bin Laden and the US Congress should be on your list. Each played major roles in shaping the pre-9/11 strategic setting – whether by acts of commission or omission.