Carl Parker U3A presentation on 12th July 2018 - précis What is Terrorism? How did we get to where we are today and what risks does it present to us? Introduction - Background of working for 10 years as Prevent coordinator in Croydon - Prevent being one of the streams of the governments overall CONTEST counter-terrorism strategy. An overview of the main characteristics of terrorism followed, with the caveat that much of this does not apply to Islamic State (discussed later), which should be considered as a proto-state that employed terrorist tactics. • It is asymmetric warfare which is waged by a very small group that would otherwise have little to no influence. By employing acts of extreme violence they draw attention to themselves and generate a reaction out of all proportion to their size. • There is reverse asymmetry because governments are bound by social, moral, legal, and political constraints that are irrelevant to the ideologically driven terrorist. • Terrorists will be driven by an all encompassing ideology that polarising positions. There are no grey areas. • Terrorists cannot and do not wish to engage in normal, democratic political processes. They do not believe in electoral processes and representative democracy. • Targets for terrorists are for the most part civilians. They wish to induce a feeling that no-one is safe at anytime, in anyplace - creating a climate of fear that is massively disproportionate to the reality of the threat. • It creates a climate where governments may be pressured to react by its citizenry and will in any case feel compelled to put measures in place to protect its citizens. • Due to their small size terrorist groups cannot engage militarily with a government they oppose. • The end justifies the means. Achieving the goal is worth any price and we should bear this in mind when terrorists are considered as madmen. They are very sane.
The primary aims of terrorism were considered. Ideologies can be considered, broadly, under two headings: temporal and transformational. Temporal aims are those that can be achieved within existing frameworks. E.g. the IRA sought the unification of the Six Counties with the Irish Republic. While not prepared to engage in the political process it recognises that the British Government exists and has to be negotiated with. Lenin ’ s dismissal of a terrorist as “ A liberal with a bomb ” conforms to this idea. These terrorists share the idea that a government canoe negotiated with. Transformational ideologies are like Lenin, revolutionary in that the seek to overthrow an existing order. Thus Al Qaeda and other Islamist groups do not seek negotiation. They seek the destruction of the existing world order which would be replaced by the Caliphate and the fulfilment of apocalyptic prophecies would follow on from this. Three historical groups were considered as the length of time terrosrism has existed was discussed. • The Sicarii - who were a splinter group of the Zealots, opposed to the Roman occupation of Judea. It literally means “ Dagger men ” after the curved blades they carried to attack individuals seen as collaborators or as representatives of the Roman Empire. Attacks always took place in crowded places. As with today ’ s terrorists that had an awareness of the value of publicity - and the creation of a climate of fear. • The Hashishin. The name does not derive from hashish, which they didn ’ t use at all. It is from the Arabic “ Asasyun ” - people of principle. They were Shia Muslim sect that looked to establish a pure form of Islam and were active from the 11th to 13th centuries. Again they favoured acts of terror in public places. • The Thugis. A secret Hindu cult - worshippers of the goddess Kali. Derivation of our word ‘ thug ’ . They were a group of robbers and murderers, active from the 13th to 19th centuries. Very codified practice of attacks. It is estimated that they killed around half a million people over 600 years. Various historians assert they were first example of state sponsored terrorism . Something I don ’ t agree with. The term Terrorism.
Came from “ the Reign Of Terror ” , during the French Revolution 1789 - 99). This was violence from above, with those in power wanting to take violence off the streets and place it in the hands of the revolutionary government. The reign of terror lasted for about a year from 1793 to 1794. The Jacobin club v Royalists & Girondins. Led by Robespierre, Danton St. Just and others, who in turn died violently themselves. “ … the basis of popular government during a revolution is both virtue and terror; virtue, without which terror is baneful; terror, without which virtue is powerless. Terror is nothing more than speedy, severe and inflexible justice … ” Maximilian Robespierre - February 1794 Anarchist terror A mostly forgotten terrorist campaign, as pervasive as Islamist terrorism is today. As with Islamism, there was no coherent organisation - but there was a common aim of abolishing government to establish ‘ perfect freedom ’ . Attacks on major figures, such as Czar Alexander II, French President Carnot, Empress Elizabeth of Austria, Spanish PM Canovas del Castillo and President William McKinley of USA. These were major, headline attacks. Many bombs in many countries killing civilians. Notable attacks at St Lazare station in Paris and on Wall Street in New York. These attacks on civilians undermined the credibility of the cause. The parallel rise in civil liberties. And the legalisation and growth of trade unions with the consequent establishment of workers rights all served to bring the terrorism campaign to and end. Anarchist terror formed the background to Joseph Conrad ’ s novel The Secret Agent . Other terrorist causes In late Victorian times Fenian terrorism was active and predated the campaigns o the IRA. Assassination of Franz Ferdinand by Gavrilo Princep set off chain of actions that precipitated WW1 In the post war era the most notable activity took place in the Middle East with the activities of Haganah/The Stern Gang in Palestine in support of the establishment of the state of Israel (bombing of King David Hotel in Jerusalem referred to) and reaction by Palestinian groups spoken of.
Terrorism from the 1960s into the 1970s Development of mass communication and ability of travel quickly and freely around the world led to developments in 1960s and 70s. Noted that terrorist action in support of various ideologies around the world took place. Black September and the attack and murder of Israeli athletes at Munich Olympics in 1972 was spoken of. Noted how presence of world press amplified the story and gave the terrorists a worldwide audience. The Armed Revolutionary Group bombed Bologna station in support of their extreme right wing cause. Again massive publicity around the world. Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (GC) noted for their activities in attacking aircraft and it was suggested that they were the real perpetrators of the Lockerbie bomb. What do terrorist groups have in common? While primary causes of terrorist activity are many and various, there are a number of secondary motives that they have in common - revenge, renown and reaction Revenge - for real or imagined slights. A significant number of attacks take place on anniversaries of earlier actions - eg McVeigh and Oklahoma City bombing on anniversary of ending of Waco siege. The 7/7 bombers on London transport claimed, in martyrdom videos, they were acting in revenge for UK involvement in Iraq. Reaction - Publicity gives terrorists validation - it is their communication to the world. Their action demonstrates their existence and strength and it seeks to provoke a reaction. There is often a huge difference between the reaction they expect & the reaction that ensues. Bin Laden anticipated the collapse of the US economy after the 9?11 attack, but instead the war on terror continues to this day. Governments have to defend their citizens - so a quick response is expected Renown - terrorists need publicity - but also seek glory - for their group and their own personal glory. e.g the Munich Olympics attack 1972 (see above)
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