GTelesco@mdc.edu
917-579-3750
Office Hours prior to and following class on Saturday
DESCRIPTION
This accelerated course requires full attendance (on ground and asynchronous)and will cover the following objectives:
WHY THE TERM TERRORISM IS PEJORATIVE
THE SPECTRUM OF DEFINITIONS & TYPOLOGIES
RELIGION & TERRORISM
THE FORCE MULTIPLIER ROLE OF MEDIA IN TERRORISM
TACTICS OF TERRORISM
STRUCTURAL FRAMEWORK OF CELLS/ NETWORKS
FINANCING OF TERRORISM
FALSE FLAG TERRORISM
ASYNCHRONOUS COMPONENT (35 POINTS)
As part of the ASYNCHORNOUS (ONLINE) segment you will be required to complete
*(2) Emergency Management Institute courses through FEMA (30 points/ 15 points each)
* After reviewing the FBI Terrorism web site you will be required to prepare an
Executive Summary that will be discussed in class(5 points.
RESEARCH PROJECT (15 POINTS)
On the Third Saturday (weekend # 3) you will be required to meet with your assigned group and research your assigned Terrorist Group. You will be given this assignment at the end of weekend # 2 along with the assigned team leaders for you to report to on Saturday # 3. You will be required to meet with your group on Saturday # 3 and divide up the research responsibilities and specific questions for posting on the blog. A thorough explanation of all that is required will be handed out in class on Weekend # 2. The team work and research paper (individual) consists of 15 points. You will be required to blog your research responses on that Saturday. The remainder of the time will be dedicated to finishing up ALL FEMA Emergency Management Institute Coursework, FBI Terrorism site and executive summary and Research Project Assignment.
OPEN BOOK EXAMINATION (50 total points) On weekend # 1 you will be given a comprehensive study guide. On weekend # 2 you will be given the open book examination. You will also be allowed to use powerpoint handouts. Be sure to bring them to Saturday # 2.
12 comments:
reviewed first week blog
I reviewed first week blog
I reviewed first week blog
Reviewed syllabus.
Smith
love
Group 7, Chapter 12
Africa, Asia, and The Pacific Rim
Tahysha Tookes(Group Leader)
Mercedes Capote
Henri Scarlett
Barry Seraphin
Tresa Smith
Tamika Simmons
I spoke to everyone today...all did own work..emailed me reponses...
Dr. Telesco our group was only required to do two questions, however Mercedes Capote, Henri Scarlett and myself did extra questions for extra credit.
Mercedes Capote
P. 287
What types of social problems plague Africa?
1) Child armies, slavery, and starvation are part of the social problems plaguing the region.
Terrorism is one problem among many in Africa. The center of the continent is plagued by tribal strife, and the Horn witnesses religious and ethnic conflicts. Africa is suffering from a colonial past, poverty, and a modern epidemic. Some policy makers believe that these issues must be addressed but they are separate from terrorism. Others argue that a comprehensive approach to Africa’s massive social problems is a more effective method of controlling terrorism.
2) What are the primary criminal problems in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Problems in Sub-Saharan Africa extend beyond terrorism. War, famine, and disease are more pressing. Both children and women are exploited, and totalitarian governments control some countries. Africa is the poorest region on earth. The continent is not completely awash in violence, and Barnett believes the long-term solution to most African violence, including terrorism, is to bring economic development and stabilization.
3) Describe the state of terrorism in the Horn of Africa?
Terrorism is a threat in western and central Africa. Although Thomas Barnett is correct in saying that the area is not awash in violence, it has been the scene of countless tragedies, mass murders, genocides, and epidemics. Terrorism is not the overriding issue. Hunger, disease, violence, and human rights abuses are. If the developed nations would aggressively intervene for humanitarian purposes, it would do much to prevent state failures that provide an environment supporting terrorism. The same argument could be made for the Horn of Africa. There are terrorist currently active in the Horn of Africa. After 9/11 the United States worked with governments in the region to create the Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa. Its purpose was similar to the domestic Joint Terrorism Task Forces in the United States. The CJTF-HOA detects and disrupts terrorist activities before the terrorists can commit violence. Although the CJTF-HOA has been effective, terrorism in the Horn will remain a problem because of porous borders, lax security, and political stability.
Henri Scarlett
P. 292
1) Why did fighting in Iraq shift from conventional to unconventional warfare?
In the beginning the U.S. entered Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein why?
Because it was believed that Saddam was passing W.M.D. (Weapons of Mass Destruction) to al Qaeda. Then the shift began, because different groups began fighting against American forces. The groups included the Baathists the group that was under Saddam Hussein. The next group was the Sunni Militants, who wanted the U.S. to leave Iraq, and some Iraqi criminals. The third group was jihadists comprised of guerrillas and al Qaeda style fighters. All of these groups brought with them guerrilla warfare an unconventional fighting style.
2) Compare fighting in Iraq to fighting in Afghanistan.
In Iraq and Afghanistan, both have unconventional terrorist style fighters. The US went Into Afghanistan post 9/11 because it was believed that Afghanistan was housing 9/11 terrorist and the country was housing them. In Afghanistan the al Qaeda led the fight against the US. In Iraq, you had more organized military.
3)Why would General David Petraeus argue that troops must relate to local civilians
When fighting an insurgency?
American military forces must have relations with foreign military forces because
military troops from various countries can enter hot zones where American troops
can not go. There must be unity in order for the US to have success.
Barry Seraphin
P. 299 (1-2)
1) What are major causes of terrorism in Asia?
Major causes surrounding terrorism in central Asia are the movements which gave rise after the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union. The hizbul Tahrir (HT) a Palestinian organization moved to central Asia to preach conversation to Islam. The group saw this area as a fertile ground for Islamic movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), proposed a violent jihad against Islam karimov the dictator of Uzbekistan. Disillusioned HT followers gravitated toward the IMU, and the IMU gained strength in the Fergana valley a rich agricultural area shaded by Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan and that is important for any political group that wishes to have control. A third group jihadists appeared from western china’s ethnic Turkmen. The Uighars organized to revive an eighteenth century Islamic state in china’s Xinjiang province. Using Kyrgystan and Kazakhstan as a base, they operate in China.
2) What issues separate the Uighars from the Chinese?
The Uighars want independence from the Chinese because; they are inspired by the collapse of the Soviet Union, not osama bin laden. China fights for Xingjian because they have china’s largest oil and gas reserves, the growing Chinese economy needs its resources, but the uighars feel that it is their country thus far the fighting continues
Tresa Smith P.299 (3) P. 309 (1)
3) How do the government and the rebels support forms of terrorism in Nepal?
Over the past ten years more than 12,000 people have died in a war between a Maoist revolutionary group and the Nepalese government. Both sides engage in horrid human abuses, the government, in the person of the authoritarian King Gyanendra, unleashed the military after taking the throne in 2001. It conducts summary executions, torture and abductions. The communist party of Nepal responds by conducting its own abductions and executions. The population is caught in the middle. If they side with the government, rebels label them as “class enemies” and they are liable to be murdered. However, if they were to give in to the rebel demands for food and shelter, government forces punish them. The Nepal government gave out the impression that its people were happy, spiritually enlightened citizens. But the reality was much different, and the small group of powerful elites ruled the country with the king. King Gyanendra, abandoning attempts to expand democratic government, took direct control of Nepal in February 2005, cutting Nepal off from the rest of the world. The result has been a bitter circle of revolution and repression. The government and the Maoists signed a peace agreement in late 2006, with both sides promising to agree to a power-sharing arrangement and to write a new constitution. Whereas the government has to conclude that it cannot continue the war, and the Maoists are divided. If all the parties agree to share power, the international Crisis Group believes, the militant factions of the Maoists will find it difficult to back away. If Maoist leaders cannot control their more radical members, however, then the violent cycle of terrorism and counterterrorism will continue.
1)How do problems with Jammu and Kashmir spill into Pakistan and Bangladesh?
Jammu and Kashmir a mountainous region in northern India claimed by India and Pakistan. There are also tension between Pakistan and India along their border, especially in the area of Jammu and Kashmir, where both countries claim sovereignty Kashmir is a flashpoint because Pakistan and Muslim residents want the area under Islamic control, whereas India sees Kashmir as part of a secular multiethnic state. The ISI has supported some of the Islamic groups operating in Kashmir, and Pakistan accuses India if attacks on Muslims. The council on Foreign Relations (2006) says that Kashmir has its own homegrown Muslim terrorists, and international Jihadists have also come to the area. The ports of Bangladesh have become centers for international crime, including drug trafficking and illegal weapons trade, and the country has a strong internal jihadist movement. That’s why Bangladesh is the ideal place for militant religion to emerge. There Radical religious parties have grown over the past decade, fueled by an increase in madrassas funded by Saudi Arabia and Gulf States. In addition to terrorist violence, these groups threaten to bring a large revolution to Bangladesh. If crime and corruption problems overwhelm Bangladesh’s weak government, the religious militants have their standard answer, it is the same answer the Taliban offered Afghanistan.
Tamika Simmons
P. 309 (3-4)
2) How important are religious differences in Sri Lanka when compared to ethnic differences?
The religious differences, the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka were concerned about maintaining its ethnic identity among the Sinhalese majority. Tamils along the southeastern coast of India supported the Sri Lankan Tamils in this quest. The Tamil experience was similar to the situation in Ireland. Bouyed by religious differences and ethnic support, Tamil separatists could begin a guerrilla campaign by waging terrorist war.
3) What are the sources of terrorism in India?
Terrorist problems coming from political, religious, and ethnic strife. The Naxalite rebellion was short-lived after Indian security forces targeted the group. Politics and religion combine in Jammu and Kashmir, where three main groups and a host of smaller splinter organizations carry out a campaign of religious violence
Tahysha Tookes
P. 313 (1-4)
1) Is the rebellion in southern Thailand similar to Jihadist movements in other parts of the world? Why or Why not?
Yes, they are similar in taking territories to enhance there movements. Jidhadist has taken over some of Asia areas. The Barisan Revolusi Nasional, Coordinate (BRN-C), is the leading insurgency and carries a Jidhadist agenda. One of three BRN groups in the insurgency, BRN-C is active in southern Thailand’s mosques. Ian Storey (2007) notes that the southern insurgency is becoming an international affair. Militant groups in Malaysia have embraced the Muslim rebellion in Thailand, even though the Malaysian government does not. Radicals in the Philippines and Indonesia see the revolt as part of the international Jihad.
2) What are the sources of terrorism in Indonesia and how do they relate to terrorism in Southeast Asia?
The Jihadists groups began forming in Indonesia in the early 1990s. The political situation in Indonesia provided a climate for the growth of the Jihadist groups. Like Southeast Asia, Indonesia was placed under strict Islamic Law.
3) What are the differences among the groups fighting in the Moro area of the Philippines?
The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) is a combination of the old religious struggle. Having proposed negotiations with the Philippine government, the MNLF seeks an independent Islamic state. Breaking away from the MNLK is the more radical Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). It ties with the Jihadist movements and seeks to create an Islamic state under strict interpretation of Islamic law. A third group, Abu Sayyuf, claims to be part of the jihadist movement, but it is most closely associated with criminal activity and seems more interested in money than religion. Ideology is also active in the Philippines. The New Peoples Army (NPA) operates throughout the Philippines’. Originally established to fight both the government and its American allies, the NPA hopes to turn the Philippines’ into a communist state. The group has been responsible for several murders, including those of US military personnel.
4) Describe the unique nature of terrorism in Japan.
On March 20, 1995, Tokyo was subjected to a technological terrorist attack by a radical religious sect. Members of Aum Shinrikyo (Supreme Truth) released a poisonous gas into the crowded subway system. The terrorists were not individuals seeking social release or some vaguely defined political revenge; they were members of an organized religious group trying to destroy the Japanese government. The attack on the subway was the first large scale use of chemical agents by terrorist. Aum Shinrikyo terrorists struck five subway trains simultaneously, killing 12 and sending approximately 5,500 to the hospital for treatment. The gas was sarin, a deadly, odorless, colorless gas developed by Nazi researchers during World War II.
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