Counterterrorism - Book Report/Review Example

The Arabic manual literally translated was about "Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants," which was basically a complete guide believed to be the "terrorism textbook" with guidance for jihad members on subjects such as assassination ,forgery and preparing poisons in its 18 chapters for the followers of Osama bin Laden. The manual was subsequently placed into evidence during a federal trial of four terrorists who were sentenced to life prison. From the point of view of a counterterrorism strategist the "terror bible" presents some challenging scenarios .

The manual provides seven pages on "Necessary Qualifications And Characteristics For The Organization's Member",three on "Counterfeit Currency And Forged Documents", four pages on "Organization Military Bases -Apartments-Hiding Places" and fifteen pages on means of communication and transportation. The manual goes on to talk about training, measures related to buying and transporting weapons, member safety, special tactical operations ,espionage , information-gathering using open and covert methods, coded language ,kidnapping and assassinations, explosives ,use of poisons ,interrogation and investigation and imprisonment of "infidels".

The manual has alarming implications for homel. In response to this manual before I go and discuss one or few of the many different strategies I would like to point out the following thingsThe fact that no non-Muslim will be involved in this organisation should not prevent the vetting and investigation of fanatic Muslims, conveniently disguised as moderate or even pretending to belong to another faith.The money laundering laws will now have to deal with the problem of "scattered funds" and their sources, because this is the money the terrorists intend to use for the funding of their terrorist activities.

For all that matters the money might be discovered from people who do not even know what it is being used for.There will be a problem of forgery of passports so there should be a system of detecting any falsified documents etc.Again these terrorists will never be found with beards when they are mingling with the masses.The terrorists will be likely to be renting ground floor apartments and are not averse to digging trenches and secret basements there. Again they will use fake IDs and names to rent these apartments.

The manual gives guidelines as to the residence of such apartments can be cleverly disguised.The manual advises the members to memorise the phone numbers they use and to use public phones whenever possible. There is a strategy of voice distortion and the use of jamming devices. Person to person contact is encouraged while avoiding surveillance devices. The use of transport also has to be very cautious according to the manual with fake names and plate numbers etc.According to the manual, physical training for the members of the terrorist organisations has to be in far off areas.

The purchase and exchange of weapons will almost invariably be outside