What Is the Most Dangerous Type of Terrorism in the Globalized, Twenty-First Century - Essay Example

?In Your Opinion And Using A Case Study, What Is The Most Dangerous Type Of Terrorism In The Globalized, Twenty-First Century? From A Policy Perspective, How Do You Stop It? Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Part One 5 Part Two 8 Part Three 10 Conclusion 13 References 14 Bibliography 17 Introduction Terrorism has emerged as one of the gravest forms of violence executed in the societal context in the modern times. Terrorism has brought about a long-standing impact on the global society due to the devastation that has been predominantly associated with it. Terrorism not only acts as devastating mode of operations which disintegrates global societies but it also leaves a lasting impression of fear and atrocity on the sufferers mind. According to certain observations made by recent researchers, it has been determined that ‘Terrorism’ has detained the world’s attention in recent years since mainly 2001. In this context, it has been the result of the destructive 9/11 attacks upon the two core symbols of the power political country i.e. United States of America. The targeted buildings of America were the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon. The attack has attained a great emblematic stature as an outrage to the reputable global order and an encounter to the world’s leading power. There are various types of terrorism within the society. A few of them are ‘Sate terrorism’, ‘Cyber terrorism ‘and ‘Narco-terrorism’ among others. In recent years, religious terrorism has emerged in terms of its occurrence, measure of violence and international reach. Furthermore, it has also been observed that there has been a relative decline within secular terrorism. The old philosophies of class battle, anti-colonial deliverance and material chauvinism have been transformed by new and energetic infusion of religious ideologies. In this context, it can be further ascertained that religious violence has been supported by Grassroots extremist, which has been widely spread amidst the population living in the repressive societies (Martin, 2012). This study mainly focuses on the relevance of religious terrorism worldwide. Such type of terrorism usually affects the heart of common masses and attains a great reach within a shorter tenure. Furthermore, the paper intends to discuss the dangerous aspects of religious terrorism along with ascertaining the policies that are being implemented to stop it. With regard to limitations and problems that had been faced, in order to segregate the requisite materials certain difficulties arose. Based on religious beliefs and norms of the people, it was difficult to collect secondary sources pertaining to the concerned study aspects. Religion is a term, which depicts emotional attachment of common masses. Consequently, a research study on such aspects involves in-depth analysis of cultural values and religious differences. The study also involves the blood shed of common masses pertaining to such dangerous act of terrorism. Part One Religious terrorism is represented as a political violence. It is propagated by a strong belief that has been imposed by the higher powerful authorities as a command for continuing with the terrorist violence. This worldly power is imposed to gain a greater glory in relation to faith. Violent acts are the results that have been committed mainly by the beliefs of the worldly power, which preaches about receiving of rewards afterlife. Considering the historical perspective related to the ‘Religious Violence’, terrorism is the end result of the strict norms and beliefs, which has been in long-term associated with human affairs. Histories related to various masses, civilizations, nations and realms are filled with numerous examples of revolutionary believers. In this context, the revolutionary believers engaged themselves in violent activities for promoting their strong belief. Furthermore, in-depth analysis of ‘Religious Terrorism’ has proclaimed that a few of the religious terrorists are greatly inspired by the defensive motives, while others basically pursue to ensure the prevalence of their belief and rest are driven by the violent amalgamation of these propensities (Martin, 2012). ‘Religious Terrorism’ can be “few of the religious terrorists are greatly inspired by the defensive motives, others basically seek to ensure the predominance of their faith and others are motivated by the aggressive” (Martin, 2012). In this context, it can be ascertained that depending on the differentiated perspectives, a debate arises regarding the revolutionists. Related debate was associated with the classification of these revolutionists as a terrorist or freedom fighter. There exist various characteristics of ‘Religious Terrorism’, which have been discussed in details within this segment. ‘Religious Terrorism’ has differentiated value schemes, instruments of legitimization and explanation. This particular act incorporates concepts related to mortality and worldwide views. Thus, it can be affirmed that terrorism essentially assumes a mystical dimension and its members are encouraged by radical, ethical or applied constraints. Correspondingly, terror being imposed by the terrorists reflects a means towards the achievement of the larger goals being set. Furthermore, it has been revealed that this kind of terrorism fundamentally looks upon them-selves as being accountable only to God. ‘Religious Terrorism’ represents the old philosophies related to the class battles, anticolonial deliverance and worldly patriotism (George, 2012). It has been ascertained that ‘Religious Terrorism’ is the result of the pre-set beliefs and norms of the revolutionists. Religious conflicts lay a greater impact on the ideological terrorism. The effect of ‘Religious Terrorism’ has accelerated the death and the violence within the societal context. In correspondence with the concerned activities, it is considered as the most dangerous because of its reach amidst a larger group. Religious matters have always been a soft and emotional corner for the masses. Matters pertaining to this aspect basically create potential influence upon the mind-set of common people as it incorporate set norms and beliefs (Hoffman, 2010). There are various types of terrorism within society, but in this segment ‘Secular Terrorism’ and ‘Religious Terrorism’ are taken into concern. Considering secular terrorists, they basically do not involve in unselective killing on an enormous scale. Their political aims and views are observed as counterproductive. Whereas considering religious terrorists, their foremost aim is the divine duty that is being executed in unswerving response to certain scriptural demands. Religious and secular terrorism greatly differ in accordance with their constitution. Religious terrorism entails strong beliefs and norms of people that create a more dangerous impact upon society as compared to other forms of terrorism (Cline, 2005). In keeping with the recent example of ‘Religious Terrorism’, Al-Qaeda can provide an in-depth insight about the concerned activity. Another name for Al-Qaeda is the ‘Sacred Terrorism’. It essentially represents the inherited elements of the al-Qaeda matters such as its aim, constituency and the well identified religious concept. The main reason behind the execution of the activities related to 9/11was extinguishing the World Trade Centre. There were basically four prominent explanations to their execution of entire concerned activity. The first explanation relates with the revolutionists thought process. Moreover, the second explanation of the al-Qaeda mainly relates with the complexity of the thought process. Correspondingly, the third explanation signifies the strategies being involved in the 9/11 attacks and finally the fourth explanation provides an insight about the provocation for the execution of such activities (Sedgwick, 2004). Religious territory occurs worldwide but in the Middle-East region the momentum of activities related to ‘Religious Terrorism’ is more. In the Middle-East region, the organised terrorism follows certain strong beliefs and norms as well as considers them-selves to be inferior to others (Sarfin, 2013; Sedgwick, 2004). Part Two There are various proponents associated with ‘Religious Terrorism’ such as Hamas or the Maoist Rebels of Nepal. Hamas as a terrorist group had been formed in the year 1987. It had been basically supported by the political structure within the interiors of Palestinian territories. Hamas was responsible for the anti-Israeli attacks in the Palestinian territories and Israel. Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) resembles the communist party of Nepal. It has announced ‘People’s War’ under the slogan “Let us march ahead on the path of struggle towards establishing the people's rule by wreaking the reactionary ruling system of state” (South Asian Terrorism Portal, 2001). Maoists usually aim at establishing ‘People’s democracy within Nepal. There are supporters who also related to the ‘Religious Terrorism’, one such dangerous proponent reflects the activities of Al-Qaeda groups. In this context, it is further revealed that this group was mainly responsible for the historical deadliest attacks of 9/11. This group can be considered as the TO as it has planned the entire execution of the attacks associated with the World Trade Centre. This attack can be considered as one of the dangerous acts of brutality because it has laid an adverse impact on a powerful country like the United States of America. Al-Qaeda had been formed in the year 1988 on August 11th. The leader of the group, who used to monitor the entire group and the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks was Osama-bin-Laden. Concerning the al-Qaeda group, they basically include techniques such as suicide attacks along with simultaneous bombings. Furthermore, it has also been analysed that this particular group was responsible for the instigation of sectarian violence amidst the Muslims. There are primarily two objectives of this particular group. The primary objective of Al-Qaeda group aims at the indirect propaganda that lays its impacts on the potential supporters of the concerned group. On further analysis, it is determined that the secondary objective of Al-Qaeda was mainly to provoke the US into prevailing actions, which would generally alienate the supporters of the concerned group from America. This will accelerate the Al-Qaeda’s potential supporters (GlobalSecurity.org, 2013). Funding of the Al-Qaeda group is derived from the fundraising network that is mainly fuelled by the financial facilitators. This particular group also rose it’s funding’s from the ‘Islamic Charity Donation’. Recent observations have revealed that prior to the 9/11 attacks, it had received its funding from the Gulf country donors. Furthermore, this particular terrorist group is likely to raise the requisite financial support from various corrupted charities. Their lethality can be discussed on the basis of their activities that have caused the greatest devastation in the American history. The members of the Al-Qaida group endure the feeling that the USA is planning to ruin and harm Muslims. This particular group carried on their activities on terms of religious beliefs and norms (GlobalSecurity.org, 2013). Part Three In accordance with the ‘Prevent Strategy’, it reflects procedures to stop the general masses from becoming terrorists or supporting the terrorist groups. This strategy is addressed by the government, as it is a counter-terrorism strategy and it deals with terrorism. There are certain legal implications as well, which will lay a greater impact on the Terrorist Organisation (TO). According to the Terrorism Act 2006, it has revealed about the policies that deal with the offence of encouraging the masses to join the terrorist groups. These offences were very famously known as the ‘Glorification’ offences. In the year 2008, the United Kingdom government had published a review ‘Prevent Funding’. This review basically relates that the funding will take into consideration the exact motive and successful integration of the related program (US Department of Homeland Security, 2011). Critical Evaluation of Current Policies in Combating Terrorism Considering the government of the US, it has been ascertained that they have applied differentiated policies to stop terrorist attacks. The US government has built up homeland security. It has prevented the terrorist travel by implementing advanced technologies related to passenger information as well as have facilitated ‘Visa Security Program’ (US Department of Homeland Security, 2011). According to the European Union (EU) policies, counter-strategy has been framed in the year 2005 to stop terrorist attacks. This strategy of the EU has assisted in combating terrorism and its implications globally. This program is executed on the basis of allowing the masses to live freely. This particular EU strategy is built upon four basic strands. Firstly, its prior motive is to stop the people from joining terrorist groups thereby creating hurdle in the emergence of future terrorist creed. Secondly, EU by implementing this program ensures the protection of the citizens along with building a strong infrastructure around them by bringing reduction in the susceptibilities against the attacks. Following strand reveals the investigations related to the terrorism undertaken by the EU. Furthermore, they have endured strategic planning related to communication and travelling, which represents the base of terrorist attacks. Moreover, the EU also implemented the strategy to cut of the access related to funding. The last strand related to the EU program reveals their response in a coherent and coordinated way in minimising the terrorist attacks. These policies seemed likely to be good policies as they consider the finance part i.e. funding. By creating a hurdle in receiving of funding, it can relatively reduce the terrorist groups (European Commission, 2013). In accordance with the dangerous religious group i.e. Al-Qaeda it essentially has become powerful in recent years. The US strategies and policies to combat the terrorist attacks entail comprehensive approaches. The US government has made continuous progress in terms of establishing a partnership related to the arena of the ‘Counter-Terrorism’. The political aspect of the US has considered strengthening of the political leaders worldwide, which will assist them to combat terrorism and reduce its implications. Local communities play a greater role in spreading the negative aspects of terrorism. Local authorities have the power to reach a majority of the masses and relate the effects of terrorism thereby combating terrorist attacks (The Washington Post, 2013; Argo, 2006). The USA has always been considered as among the most powerful countries worldwide. However, the attacks of 9/11 have revealed the failure of their previous policies and regulations. Consequently, the USA has recently framed new financial and governmental strategies that mainly focus on the usage of advanced security along with building partnership with the neighbouring countries. These strategies will provide strength to the USA in combatting terrorist attacks by stopping funding for unknown activities. With regard to the activities undertaken by Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), it builds up common strategies considering regional cooperation. This regional body has created a summit that incorporates one of its missions as to combat terrorism. Their activities are not that much omnipresent, it can be recommended that in terms of policy development it is the responsibility of the US government to ensure acceleration in their strategies implementation. Similarly, OSCE must work to counter the violent terrorist activities and to mitigate the social along with the economic factors that will basically amplify the Al-Qaeda’s radical philosophies. Thus, it can be ascertained that it is the responsibility of all the members of the society to coordinate and cooperate together to combat terrorism (Witkowsky, 2010). Conclusion Terrorism is a burning topic in current scenario. Massive loss of human life and violence within the society is the major cause of terrorism. There are various types of terrorism within the society. Religious Terrorism is a form of brutality that poses greater danger in societal context. The terrorist groups that are driven by religious beliefs follow a set of norms. The members or the followers of ‘Religious Terrorism’ believe themselves to be answerable to God. Correspondingly, they believe that their activities are been watched by God and their deeds must be rewarded afterlife. In keeping with ‘Religious Terrorism’ based groups as a dangerous threat to the society, Al-Qaeda is the best example of such groups. Al-Qaeda is the group that was solely responsible for the 9/11 attacks in the USA. The leader of the group was Osama-Bin-Laden. It can be well assumed that a powerful country such as America faced the massive terrorist destruction associated with the Al-Qaeda group. USA policies and regulations failed to stop such a devastating attack. As an aftermath of the attack, the government framed new advanced policies entailing local community and regional body as a partner to combat terrorist attacks. Thus, it can be ascertained that it is not possible to combat terrorism entirely from the society but procedures can be followed to stop funding such activities along with enabling the common people to live freely. References Argo, N., 2006. Human Bombs: Rethinking Religion and Terror. Centre for International Studies, pp. 1-6. Cline, A., 2005. 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