Counter terrorism

Counter Terrorism

1 . What is counterterrorism ? Why is it important to understand the motivations behind

terrorism when engaged in counterterrorism efforts ? What kind of general motives might you find among terrorists in this country and abroad

Counterterrorism is the attempt to identify threats and prevent future terrorist attacks . An effective strategy for doing this can only be constructed by first understanding what motivated the attackers to take such a drastic action . This does not imply sympathy for the terrorists in any way . Understanding their motives allows us to asses the threat

in a more in-depth way . We then can devise specific methods to prevent future attacks

There are several general motivations for terrorist attacks . A common theme of terrorists is religious fanaticism , but the underlying motivations are often more complex . According to the Jewish Ant-Defamation League they include : revenge , retaliation , provocation martyrdom and financial hardship

Terrorism is not always motivated by religion . Sometimes it is part of a struggle for independence . Other times it may be the result of a cult or secret society . On an individual level , it may even be the result of paranoia or mental illness

2 . Is counterterrorism a tactic of warfare or crime fighting ? What role does due

process play in either context ? What are the implications when terrorists can be categorized as the enemy ' rather than mere criminals

Counterterrorism is both a tactic of warfare and of law enforcement . It is a question of perspective . In the cases of the Unabomber and of Timothy McVeigh , the participants may have seen their actions as acts of war . For the authorities , their cases were issues of law enforcement

For foreign-based terrorism , counterterrorism is warfare . In either case , many of the same methods are used . There used to be a strict separation between foreign espionage and the efforts of domestic law enforcement . The events of 9 /11 , however , have caused a gradual merging of the two

Foreign-based terrorists are usually viewed as the enemy , rather than criminals . They are not necessarily afforded the rights that alleged criminals have in this country . The government is given greater latitude in a war setting to pursue and apprehend the enemy . Due process of law must be granted to domestic criminals . For those deemed the enemy ' authorities often avoid due process for reasons of national security , reasoning that foreign terrorists or those allied with them are not entitled to constitutional rights

3 . How has surveillance changed from the traditional ' to new surveillance ? Are

these changes potentially problematic for civil liberties in any way in the United States ? Should law enforcement be permitted to use all technological resources available to accomplish its mission , including in the fight against terror ? Are there limits

New surveillance ' methods cast a wider net than the traditional surveillance methods . New technology allows for the gathering and synthesis of large amounts of data . Satellites are able to spy anywhere on the globe without detection . Surveillance of phones and other methods of communication have become much more advanced . Computer...