Chapter 5

Babette Protz

University of South Carolina

Lancaster

GENDER ROLES, TACTICS, AND FORCE MULTIPLIERS IN

TERRORISM

Summarize the tactics of modern terrorism. List and describe four force multipliers. Discuss historical and current roles of women in

terrorism. Outline the tactical importance of female terrorists.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: CHAPTER 5

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Define the types of threats posed by technological terrorism.

Explain the effects of biological, chemical and radiological weapons.

Characterize the possibility and possible outcomes of nuclear terrorism.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: CHAPTER 5

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Discuss the role of the media as a force multiplier. Summarize transnational economic targeting in the

tourist, energy, and transportation industries. Summarize theories of suicide bombing.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: CHAPTER 5

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Bombing Hijacking Arson Assault Kidnapping Hostage taking Weapons of mass destruction

TERRORISM TACTICS

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Transnational support Increases terrorist groups ability to move and hide

Technology Allows a small group to launch a deadly attack

Media coverage Makes minor group appear to be politically important

Religion Transcends normative political and social boundaries

FORCE MULTIPLIERS

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Philosophy of the bomb The only way to communicate with the social order was to

destroy it Terrorists tend to increase their effectiveness in bombing

by applying improved explosive technology to their weapons

Thermobaric bomb Spreads fuel in the air and then ignites it

THE BOMB

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUiEHovbg4E

Discussion: Did it surprise you that the suicide bombers were women?

Would you say that the location and the timing of the

bombing were such as to create a level of fear as much as to cause casualties? Support your view.

MOSCOW BOMBING

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Female terrorists are not new to the history of terrorism: 18th century France 19th century Russia 20th century US Rebels in Ireland Western revolutionary groups

Women are actively recruited by religious terrorists today

WOMEN AND TERRORISM

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Role of women in terrorist groups is more closely determined by the political orientation of an organization than its tactics

Women are more attracted to domestic terrorist organizations than international groups Women also have opportunities for leadership in

revolutionary (domestics) groups International terrorists try to defend a traditional culture

that limits the role of women

WOMEN AND TERRORISM

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Revolutionary groups Ulricke Meinhof and Leila Khalid served as combatants,

leaders and served as inspiration for supporters

Secular and religious terrorist groups Women increasingly receive combat assignments

because they are so numerous

WOMEN AND TERRORISM

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Women have a greater sense of vulnerability to crime, and these feelings seem to transfer to terrorism

Israeli study Women seemed to be more scared of terrorism than men,

because women experienced terrorism more vicariously Women were more likely to suffer from posttraumatic

stress and seek assistance following terrorist attacks Women approached the fear of terrorism with problem-

solving strategies

IMPACT OF TERRORISM ON WOMEN

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXyh8WeRYiE&NR=1&feature=endscreen

Discussion: Do you consider it somewhat ironic that while women are

considered subordinate to men – their role being that of wives and mothers; they are recruited as suicide bombers?

Do agree with statement that it is easier for women to go through security checkpoints than it is for men? What would you suggest as a counter-measure?

How does this video align with the Israeli study?

WOMEN AND TERRORISM

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Researchers do not tend to think of women as terrorists or criminals When they do look at females, researchers usually view

women as victims

Law enforcement officers do not tend to arrest females

It is generally assumed that terrorism is a violent male occupation

OVERLOOKING FEMALE TERRORISTS

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The use of computers to attack technological targets or physical attacks on computer networks An attractive low-risk strategy

Computers allow terrorist groups to remain connected, providing a means for covert discussions and anonymity

Greatest fear of cyberterrorism concerns catastrophic or multiple system failures

CYBERTERRORISM

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Modern arsenals contain bacterial weapons and viral weapons, with microbes cultured and refined, or weaponized, to increase their ability to kill

The Center for Disease Control classifies the most threatening from the groups as smallpox, anthrax, plague, botulism, tularemia, and hemorrhagic fever

WMD: BIOLOGICAL AGENTS

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Bacteria Religious group in Oregon spread bacteria in area salad

bars to sicken potential voters Hundreds of people suffered food poisoning

Anthrax Cases were reported in Florida, Washington, DC, New

York, New Jersey, and Connecticut Public health response was disorganized The case is still under investigation

US BIOLOGICAL ATTACKS AFTER 1980

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There are four types of chemical agents: nerve agents, blood agents, choking agents, and blistering agents

Radiological weapons are more head resistant and lasts longer than chemicals Exposure to radiation can produce short-term burns and

long-term heath problems

WMD: CHEMICAL & RADIOLOGICAL

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HEU is plentiful and easy to obtain HEU is so potent that it could be used in a dirty

bomb or a nuclear device Terrorists could build a device with HEU without the

assistance of a nuclear state

HIGHLY ENRICHED URANIUM (HEU)

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The most fearful scenario with WMDs involves a nuclear explosion

Tel Aviv University Scholars suggest that the probability of nuclear terrorism is low

The nuclear threat is based on the crime causation model: victim, opportunity to commit a crime, and the criminals’ desire

NUCLEAR TERRORISM

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1. Security is never 100% effective.2. The nuclear black market does not exist.3. Building a nuclear bomb is a complex process.4. Nuclear defense should be based on realistic,

comprehensive scenarios.5. We should create total intelligence pictures of

terrorist groups beyond nuclear terrorism.6. Total protection is not possible, but we can tip the

scales in our favor.

NUCLEAR TERRORISM MISCONCEPTIONS

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http://www.takepart.com/zero

Discussion: What did find most interesting about the film? From the information you received from the movie, which

country do you feel poses the biggest threat? How should we address that threat?

Experts have suggested nuclear terrorism is today’s greatest threat. How do you think we should guard against this?

COUNTDOWN TO ZERO

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Both governments and terrorists see the media as a force multiplier: Security forces (symbols of sanity in a world turned

upside down) assume the role of heroes who are trying to restore order

Constant reporting makes small terrorist groups seem important

With repeated media coverage, the striking power of the terrorist group is magnified

MEDIA FORCE MULTIPLIER

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Terrorism does not seem to have an impact on domestic travel

Terrorism most frequently affects international travelers

Terrorism against tourists has a negative economic impact

TOURISM

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Fossil fuels present tempting targets: They represent the power and strength of the

industrialized world Strikes against oil refineries have an economic impact on

the West

ENERGY

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Saudi Arabia al Qaeda sought to destroy production facilities; destroy

transfer systems; and target individual oil workers, especially foreigners

Pakistan and Balochista The Bugtis resent and resist Pashtun incursion into their

native land, which has led to sharp fighting and a guerrilla war

ENERGY ATTACKS

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After the September 11 attacks, the federal government immediately budgeted $4.8 billion to protect the aviation industry

Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore have joined to protest insurance premiums on ships traveling through the Strait of Malacca

Critics of homeland-security policies argue that ports remain unsecured because of the costs associated with increased protection

TRANSPORTATION

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woz74cXDI_s

Discussion: Do you agree or disagree with Erroll Southers that the

release of information by the government instils level of confidence in the public. Support your view.

HIDDEN BOMBS

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Pape (2005) believes three factors must be in place before a suicide terror campaign occurs: Nationalistic or ethnic group must be resisting the

occupation of a foreign power Foreign power must have democratic government whose

voters will not routinely allow the slaughter and repression of the people in the occupied area

Must be a difference in the religions of the occupying power and the people living under occupation

THEORY OF SUICIDE TERRORISM

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13115660

Discussion: What are your thoughts on children and adolescents being

used as suicide bombers? Do you think most suicide bombers freely decide to

engage in suicide bombing, or do you think they are manipulated into their actions? Support your views.

TEENAGE SUICIDE BOMBERS

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Gunaratna sees three things that all attacks have in common: secrecy, reconnaissance, and rehearsal

The Hamas model involves a professional group that plans and executes the attack, and a support group to prepare the attacker For many years, researchers believed that this was the

only model for suicide bombing

MODELS OF SUICIDE ATTACKS

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Cronin finds that different models emerged over time: The LTTE trained suicide bombers The PKK leadership coerced victims The bombings in Chechnya represent a different

combination of social and psychological factors

MODELS OF SUICIDE ATTACKS

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The tactics of terrorism are straightforward and simple, but they are employed in innovative ways.

The study of terrorism is complex as a result of tactical innovation.

Force multipliers – technology, transnational support, religion, and the media – enhance the power of terrorist groups.

CHAPTER TAKE AWAYS

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It is important to understand the tactical impact of gender on terrorism, but research on the roles of women has been neglected.

Technological attacks can be made more effective by using WMD, cyber-attacks, or economic targeting.

Suicide bombing has become a particularly terrorizing tactic, but there is no single explanation for either understanding or preventing it.

CHAPTER TAKE AWAYS

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