Terrorisim the Bottom Line by Nathan I. Yungher - Book Report/Review Example

Terrorism the Bottom Line Terrorism is not a new phenomenon in the world and refers to a tactic, a justified reaction to oppression, a strategy, a crime, an inexcusable abomination, or a holy duty. Indeed the definition of terrorism depends on the religion, position, culture, and beliefs of the person defining it (Yungher, 2007). The United States Department of Defense defines terrorism as a calculated use of unlawful violence or threat to instigate fear, or coercion intimidation of governments or societies to achieve political, religious, or ideological goals.

Terrorist organizations are secretive and small in size hence difficult to defend against them or deter their attacks. Terrorist organizations plan their attacks to obtain international publicity by symbolizing what they oppose. It is the responsibility of state governments to protect their citizens against terrorist attacks. Indeed, the FBI recognizes the protection of U.S. citizens from terrorist attacks as its top priority (FBI, 2012). Additionally, the United Nations Security Council has instituted measures and legislation to counter-terrorism (UN, 2010).

The Munich Olympics terrorist attacks that killed 11 Israelis in 1972, in October 1983, the Middle Eastern terrorists on Marine Battalion at Beirut International Airport in 1983 that killed 241 U.S. military personnel and wounded others, the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, and other terrorist attacks manifest the reality of terrorism in the world. Hezbollah, Al-Qaida, and Al-Shabab are some of the terrorist organizations in the world.

There are six types of terrorism according to the National Advisory Committee on Criminal Justice Standards and Goals. There is Civil disorder is sometimes violent and aims at opposing a specific political policy or action. Then there is political terrorism where one political faction intimidates another and nonpolitical terrorism which aims at a non-political goal and is often religious. Quasi terrorism on the other hand usually involves an armed criminal trying to escape from law enforcement and utilizing civilians as hostages to aid their escape.

Limited political terrorism occurs once acts to make a political or ideological statement. Lastly, we have state terrorism, which involves conflicting nations and aims at achieving a particular goal (National Museum of Crime & Punishment, 2008). Recently narcoterrorism and cyberterrorism have come into the limelight. Social and political injustice and the belief that violence or its threat will be effective in and ushering change are the basis of all terrorist attacks (Yungher, 2007). Ethnicity and nationalism cause terrorism when aggrieved groups resort to violence for nationalist or separatist reasons.

They may do these out of oppression or discriminative feelings. Additionally, poverty, economic disadvantage, and globalization also cause terrorism where individuals cannot sustain themselves and equally feel that they do not get an equal share of the national resources hence resulting in terrorism making their point and justifying their course. Disaffected intelligentsia or illiteracy and dehumanization lead to terrorism as individuals strive to assert their position in society. Moreover, religion plays a fundamental role in promoting terrorism.

Indeed, Muslims disregard democracy, hate capitalism and believe in a new Caliphate, and opposing individualism. These acts promote terrorism, which they view as a holy act. The fight to defend and assert the Muslim faith in the world has significantly led to terrorism in the recent past. The ideological differences between Muslim nations and other nations are major causes of state terrorism (Keet, 2005). Osama bin Laden declared war on American interests in the 1990s from a conviction that the U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia represented an abomination to the Islamic faith. 

This was because of the U.S. total support of Israel against Palestine in 1967. Territorial disputes between nations result in terrorism like in Palestine and Israel case. The decision by the U.S to extend its hegemony throughout the Middle East after World War II in 1945 prevented the Soviet Union, from gaining a foothold thus fostering terrorism. In addition, the decisions by the U.S to involve itself in the Afghan civil war that erupted in 1978 and impose cruel sanctions against the Iraqi people in the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf War, and the U.

S response to the September 11 attack also promoted terrorism (Smith, 2010). Out of terrorism, many people have suffered in terms of injuries, emotional upheaval, trauma, and killings. Indeed, many people have died and others have lost their loved ones. Terrorism inflicts negative effects on the economy from destroyed investments and loss of intellectuals through death. In addition, victims and governments spend many resources on rebuilding, counterattacking, and taking care of the victims.

The US spends about 5 billion dollars a year in combating terrorists. It leads to socio-economic conditions where citizens fear going to work and investors fear doing business in such risky situations. In addition, terrorism jeopardizes tourism, as tourists fear their safety. It hurts financial markets, and supply chains (Yungher, 2007). In September 2006, the UN member states agreed on a global strategy for counter-terrorism. Indeed, the UN Security Council uses resolutions and subsidiary bodies in countering terrorism. The UN has actually instituted various programs, offices, and agencies to fight international terrorism (UN, 2010). The US government formed the Bureau of Counterterrorism, which develops and coordinates strategies aimed at defeating international terrorism (US Department of State, 2012).