Understanding Terrorism

What is terrorism?

 Terrorism is the use of violence or threat of violence against innocent people with
the aim of creating fear and pressuring governments or societies to accept some
political, religious, or ideological demand.
 It is different from normal crime because the main goal is not just to kill or destroy,
but to send a message to a wider audience.

👉 Example: When Al-Qaeda attacked the World Trade Center in New York (9/11, 2001),
the real goal was not only to kill people but to frighten the U.S. population, show power,
and push America to change its foreign policy in the Muslim world.

1. ISIS (Islamic State) – Middle East (2014–2019)

o Seized territory in Iraq and Syria, declared a “caliphate.”
o Carried out mass killings, suicide bombings, and attacks in Europe (e.g., Paris
attacks 2015).
2. Boko Haram – Nigeria
o An extremist group that kidnapped hundreds of schoolgirls (Chibok girls,
2014).
o Attacks schools, villages, and government forces to impose their version of
Islam.
3. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) – Pakistan
o Behind the APS Peshawar school attack (2014) where over 140 students and
teachers were killed.
o Targets security forces, schools, and civilians.
4. Al-Shabaab – Somalia & Kenya
o Affiliated with Al-Qaeda.
o Famous for the Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi (2013), killing over 60
people.
5. Christchurch Attack – New Zealand (2019)
o A right-wing extremist opened fire in two mosques, killing 51 people.
o Showed that terrorism is not only Islamic; it can also come from far-right
ideology.
6. LTTE (Tamil Tigers) – Sri Lanka (till 2009)
o Used suicide bombings and assassinations to fight for an independent Tamil
state.
o Even assassinated Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi (1991).

Why do people call it terrorism?

1. “One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.”

Example: Nelson Mandela was once called a terrorist by the apartheid regime in
South Africa, but later he became a hero of freedom and peace. During the
 independence struggle, the British labelled Gandhi and other Indian nationalists as
“terrorists” or “rebels” when they resisted colonial rule. Menachem Begin Leader of
the Jewish underground group Irgun that fought against British rule in Palestine. The
British considered Irgun a terrorist organization (for attacks like the King David Hotel
bombing, 1946). Later, begin became Prime Minister of Israel and even won the
Nobel Peace Prize (1978). Yasser Arafat (Palestine), Leader of the Palestine
Liberation Organization (PLO). For years, Israel and the U.S. labelled him a
terrorist due to PLO’s armed struggle. Later, he signed peace agreements with Israel
(Oslo Accords, 1993) and won the Nobel Peace Prize. Abdul Ghaffar Khan
(Frontier Gandhi, Pakistan/India) British colonial authorities often treated his non-
violent Khudai Khitmatgar movement in NWFP as “terrorist. “In reality, he was a
non-violent reformer and is remembered as a great Pashtun leader.

 So, terrorism is often defined differently depending on who is speaking.

Types of Terrorism (with examples)

 Religious terrorism uses religion as a justification (ISIS, Al-Qaeda).
 Ethno-nationalist terrorism is about identity and homeland (IRA, LTTE).
 Left-wing terrorism aims to overthrow capitalist systems (Shining Path, FARC).
 Right-wing terrorism promotes racism, nationalism, or fascism (Breivik, KKK).

1. Religious Terrorism (motivated by religion or belief in “holy war”)

1. ISIS (Iraq & Syria) – Declared a caliphate in 2014, carried out mass killings and
global terror attacks.
2. Al-Qaeda (Global) – Behind the 9/11 attacks in the U.S. (2001).
3. Boko Haram (Nigeria) – Known for kidnapping Chibok schoolgirls (2014).
4. Al-Shabaab (Somalia/Kenya) – Attacked Westgate Mall in Nairobi (2013).
5. Aum Shinrikyo (Japan) – Religious cult behind Tokyo subway sarin gas attack
(1995).

2. Ethno-Nationalist Terrorism (groups fighting for a homeland or independence)

1. Tamil Tigers (LTTE – Sri Lanka) – Fought for Tamil homeland until 2009.
2. IRA (Irish Republican Army – Northern Ireland) – Sought unification with
Ireland.
3. ETA (Spain) – Wanted independence for Basque Country.
4. PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party – Turkey/Iraq) – Fighting for Kurdish autonomy.
5. Chechen Separatists (Russia) – Conducted hostage-taking (e.g., Beslan school siege,
2004).
3. Left-Wing Terrorism (radical leftist/revolutionary, anti-capitalist)

1. Red Army Faction (Germany) – Also called Baader-Meinhof group, active in

1970s–90s.
2. Shining Path (Peru) – Maoist insurgency, known for brutal violence in 1980s–90s.
3. Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) – Marxist group, later turned to
drug trade and peace process.
4. Japanese Red Army (Japan) – International leftist terror group active in 1970s–80s.
5. Weather Underground (USA) – Radical leftist group in 1970s, carried out bombings
against government buildings.

4. Right-Wing Terrorism (ultra-nationalist, racist, fascist, white supremacist )

1. Christchurch Attack (New Zealand, 2019) – Gunman attacked mosques, killing 51.
2. Oklahoma City Bombing (USA, 1995) – Timothy McVeigh, anti-government right-
wing extremist, killed 168 people.
3. Breivik Attack (Norway, 2011) – Anders Breivik killed 77 people in Oslo & Utøya,
targeting immigrants and leftists.
4. Golden Dawn Supporters (Greece) – Linked with violent attacks on immigrants.
5. Ku Klux Klan (USA) – White supremacist group, historically responsible for
lynching and terrorizing Black communities.

Why does terrorism happen? (Causes)

 Political reasons: Lack of political rights, dictatorship, occupation.
👉 Example: Palestinians facing Israeli occupation.
 Social reasons: Discrimination, inequality, or humiliation.
 Religious/ideological reasons: Groups believe they are fighting for “holy” or “just”
causes.
 Personal reasons: Some join because of family, friends, or revenge.

What do terrorists want?

 To create fear in society.

 To attract attention for their cause.
 To weaken governments and make them overreact.
  Sometimes, to stop peace processes.
👉 Example: Hamas carried out attacks during peace talks to prevent compromise
with Israel.

Main Debates in Terrorism Studies

The study of terrorism has no final answers. Scholars and policymakers keep debating:

 What counts as terrorism?

 Does it achieve goals or always fail?
 Are causes political, social, or personal?
 Is today’s terrorism “new” or just more violent?
 Should states also be called terrorists when they kill their own people?
 Does media help terrorists?
 How do we fight terrorism without losing our freedoms?

1. Definition Debate – What is terrorism?

 There is no single, universally accepted definition of terrorism.

 Some say it’s violence against civilians for political purposes. Others argue that even
attacks on soldiers can be terrorism.
 Governments also define it differently:
o U.S. calls Al-Qaeda “terrorists,”
o But some in the Arab world saw them as “resistance fighters.”
👉 Why important? Because if you can’t agree on a definition, it’s hard to
build international cooperation or legal action.

2. Does Terrorism Work?

 One side: Terrorism can force governments to make concessions.

👉 Example: Spain granted some cultural rights to Basques after ETA violence.
 Other side: Most terrorism fails because states usually respond with force, not
compromise.
👉 Example: The U.S. did not change its foreign policy after 9/11; instead, it
launched the “War on Terror.”
3. Root Causes vs. Individual Choice

 Structural causes (big-picture): poverty, lack of education, political repression,

foreign occupation.
👉 Example: Palestinian conflict creates fertile ground for extremism.
 Individual causes (small-picture): personal anger, revenge, peer pressure, or
ideology.
👉 Example: Many “lone-wolf” attackers in the West were not poor but motivated by
personal grievances or radical ideas online.
👉 Debate: Which matters more — broad social conditions or personal/psychological
reasons?

4. Old Terrorism vs. New Terrorism

 Old terrorism (1960s–80s):

o Mostly nationalist groups (like IRA, LTTE).
o Attacks were limited, and terrorists often negotiated.
 New terrorism (1990s–today):
o Often religiously motivated (ISIS, Al-Qaeda).
o Uses suicide bombings, mass casualties, and global networks.
👉 Debate: Is terrorism today fundamentally different, or just an evolution of
old forms?

5. State Terrorism vs. Non-State Terrorism

 Non-state terrorism: Groups like Al-Qaeda or Boko Haram.

 State terrorism: When governments use terror against their own people.
👉 Example: Saddam Hussein’s regime using fear, chemical attacks, and executions
against civilians.
👉 Debate: Should state violence also be called “terrorism,” or is that only for non-
state actors?

6. Media and Terrorism – Amplifier or Neutral?

 Terrorism needs an audience, and media coverage spreads fear.

 Some argue media unintentionally helps terrorists by showing their violence on
global TV.
👉 Example: ISIS propaganda videos went viral on social media.
 Others say media is necessary for informing the public, so censorship is not the
answer.
7. Counterterrorism – Security vs. Freedom

 One side: Strong security measures (mass surveillance, drone strikes, detention) are
necessary to protect citizens.
 Other side: These measures violate human rights and can even increase extremism by
causing anger.
👉 Example: The U.S. Patriot Act (after 9/11) gave more powers to security
agencies, but critics said it reduced privacy and freedom.

✅ In simple words:
Terrorism is political violence against innocent people to spread fear and achieve a goal.
It has many forms, many causes, and many debates about whether it is effective.