Terrorism is an act with deep historic roots, and one that has evolved and continues to evolve over time. Given its long history and continued evolution, some would argue that terrorism cannot be stopped.

In your initial post to this discussion, provide your comments about whether or not you feel the current campaign against terrorism is ultimately a futile attempt to stop the unstoppable. Your two replies to other posts can either be a response to a question about your analysis or to the classmate whose work you reviewed.

To complete this assignment, review the Discussion Rubric document.

Reading and Resources

Textbook: Global Terrorism, Chapter 1
This chapter discusses terrorism in the world today and the recent past.
As you read this chapter, consider the following question:

• How will an understanding of terrorism in the past, especially the recent past, help us to better understand terrorism when it occurs in the future?

Article: Foreign Terrorist Organizations
The U.S. Department of State keeps a list of foreign terrorist organizations. You will use this resource when selecting one of the listed groups for the first milestone of your final project, due in this module.

Website: National Counterterrorism Center’s Interactive Timeline (Optional)
Review the National Counterterrorism Center’s interactive timeline. This interactive timeline features wanted terrorists, captured terrorists, and related historical events.
As you review this timeline, consider the following question:

• What are some common trends and patterns that continue to emerge throughout the history of terrorism?

To acess textbook

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Peer post one

I do not think anyone could categorize the United States’ attempts to stop terrorism within it borders as futile. There have been numerous terror plots that had been thwarted due to our country’s current posture. Law enforcement and tips from citizens have enabled terror plans to be exposed and stopped before execution. Some of the well-known examples are: Ashiqul Alam, who planned to kill law enforcement officers and civilians in a terrorist attack on Times Square, was arrested June 6th 2019, (Department of Justice, 2019) Damon M. Joseph who planned to attack a Toledo-area synagogue in the name of ISIS, and hoped that it would lead to the deaths of many and spread fear, was arrested December 7^th 2018, (Department of Justice, 2018) and Everitt Aaron Jameson who selected Pier 39 in San Francisco as a target location of an attack, noting that it was crowded and explosives could be used to funnel people into an area so that he could inflict casualties by shooting people trying to escape, was arrested December 22^nd 2017. (Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, 2018) All three of these plotters were inspired by or wanted to further the cause of ISIS. There have been many more plots uncovered an individual stopped before committing terrorist acts. The has not been a direct foreign terrorist attack within the U.S. since 9-11, I think if it were not for the country’s current efforts that number would be higher.

I also believe that our current posture and policy on terrorism has prevented terror attacks in other countries throughout the world. There has been a tremendous military effort in Iraq and Syria to eliminate the so-called Caliphate. The United States has captured or killed many skilled operatives. This has caused many second-order effects adversely impacting ISIS by constraining resources in some areas, less sophisticated messaging, morale, and ideological schisms. Compared to the situation in past years, there is a diminished large-scale, external attack capability for ISIS. (Travers, as cited in Andrews, 2019) The effort the United States and its allies has posed a significant difficulty for terrorists to operate and conduct large scale and small attacks. Terrorists along will continue to adapt and attempt to overcome this nation’s counter-terror applications leaving us with a world that will never be terrorist attack free.

References

Andrews, J. (2019, March 5). NCTC Deputy Director Travers at World Counter Terror Congress. Retrieved from https://www.dni.gov/index.php/nctc-newsroom/nctc-s…

Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs. (2018, August 8). California Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/california-man-sent…

Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York. (2019, June 7). Queens Man Who Wanted to Attack Times Square Arrested for Purchasing Firearms with Obliterated Serial Numbers. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/queens-man-wh…

Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Ohio. (2018, December 10). Ohio man arrested and charged in federal court after planning an attack on a synagogue in the Toledo area. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh/pr/ohio-man-arre…

Peer post 2

Greeting Class,

This question can be addressed by first thinking back to our first discussion regarding defining terrorism. If we can not place specific parameters and definitions on what terrorism is, then how can we eliminate it completely? Terrorism has historically gone through some major changes and adaptations, as defined in change over time. However, the most effective terrorists are still using relatively analog means to carry out their attacks. Due to this, and the relative anonymity of these terrorist actors it is very difficult to track and trace. In my opinion it will be next to impossible to completely eliminate terrorism from the world, due to the varying aspect that make up a terrorist, or an act of terrorism.

A terrorist does not necessarily need to belong to a group or organization, they could be single actors, that simply want to martyr themselves for some overall cause, or wreak as much havoc, and death on an area as possible to create fear amongst the people. Terrorism can be a simple as sabotage of a oil/gas pipeline, or burning down a wood mill to halt production, to blowing up a building, and even believed by some, an insurgency that disagrees with taxation without representation, and forms an insurgency to overthrow the prevailing British government through guerilla warfare and tactics, in order to win their freedom from oppression, and tyranny.

So, to answer the question: Without the complete worldwide acceptance of a different form or system of government, similar to the United Federation of Planets (Star Trek), there is zero chance of eliminating all forms of terrorism from our world. However, my Trekies out there will agree, that even in a virtual utopia, where governments, money, war, pollution, and fossil fuel energy have been eliminated, there will always be people that disagree with something the government does or does not do, and eventually lead to some form of terrorist attack.

I personally do not think the war we are waging against terror is a futile one, as long as we have a real understanding of what is attainable. While the overall mission objective is complete elimination of terrorism, the movers and the shakers know that end goal is unobtainable. However, by engaging these terrorist groups on their home turf, and forcing them into skirmishes, eliminating as many roadside IED’s, VBIED’s, PBIED’s, we are at best keeping them occupied enough (eliminating when we can) to make it difficult for them to plan an attack on the west. Not to mention with our current tactics, we are eliminating leadership at a rapid rate. The problem has been, there is always some new Zealot waiting in the shadows to fill the void and elevate the level of attacks to make a name for themselves. This cycle is repetitive, and will lead to the eventual elimination of the new leader, just in time for the circle to continue. So, are wasting our time? No. Personally, after multiple deployments to AFG and the middle east, I would never say we are wasting our time. We are actively disrupting the plans of the enemy of western culture and freedom, and sending as many of them as we can to collect their 72 Virgins. For me, on my last deployment to AFG in 2014-2015, I was blown away at the sight of groups of schoolgirls wearing their uniforms, walking to school together to get an education. Under Taliban rule, this would have never happened, and in reality would have lead to the death of the parents at least, and more likely, the death of the teacher, parent, and student.

Thank you for reading, I look forward to your responses.

-Brad

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