NON-TERRITORIAL TERRORISM - AN EMPIRICAL APPROACH TO POLICY FORMATION

• NCJ Number: 51109
• Journal: Conflict Volume: 1 Issue: 1, 2 Dated: (1978) Pages: 131-144
• Author(s): S SLOAN; R KEARNEY
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 44 pages
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)

Annotation

A RESEARCH PROJECT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA AIMED AT ANALYZING THE CAUSES, DYNAMICS, AND OUTCOMES OF NONTERRITORIAL TERRORISM (NTT) IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH POLICY APPLICATIONS IS DESCRIBED.

Abstract

THE INITIAL STUDY ANALYZED 111 INCIDENTS OF NTT WHICH OCCURRED FROM 1968-76 AND INVOLVED 44 DISTINCT TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS. ANALYSIS OF THE RESPECTIVE INCIDENTS WAS BASED ON A NTT PARAMETERS FORM WHICH WAS APPLIED TO VARIOUS WESTERN MEDIA SOURCES. FINDINGS INDICATED THAT TERRORISTS ARE OVERWHELMINGLY YOUNG, MALE, AND WELL-ARMED, THAT THE NUMBER OF TERRORISTS DIRECTLY PARTICIPATING IN NTT INCIDENTS VARIED, AND THAT, AS A RULE, TERRORISTS LEGALLY ENTER THE COUNTRY IN WHICH THE INCIDENT OCCURS. THE MAJORITY OF KIDNAPPINGS AND ASSASSINATIONS HAPPEN ON THE STREETS, AND MOST VICTIMS HAVE SOME OVERT POLITICAL CONNECTIONS. MANY INCIDENTS OF NTT ARE INSTIGATED IN ORDER TO FREE OTHER TERRORISTS HELD IN CUSTODY, AND THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT A COOPERATION BETWEEN GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL TERRORISTS IS INCREASING. FEW NATIONS HAVE A CONSISTENT, COHERENT POLICY WITH REGARD TO TERRORIST INCIDENTS, AND TERRORISTS OFTEN ESCAPE ANY FORM OF PUNISHMENT FOR THEIR ACTIONS. TERRORISTS USUALLY DO NOT COMPLY WITH TIME LIMITS IMPOSED ON VARIOUS AUTHORITIES IN NEGOTIATING PROCESSESS TO MEET DEMANDS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT DEMOGRAPHIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILES BE DEVELOPED AT SITES WHICH HAVE A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR TERRORIST ATTACK, AND THAT INTERNATIONAL POOLS OF INFORMATION CONTAINING THE ORIGINS AND SPECIFIC KINDS OF WEAPONS USED IN ATTACK BE ORGANIZED. THERE SHOULD BE BETTER COORDINATION AMONG INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES CONCERNING TERRORIST GROUPS AND MORE RIGOROUS PASSPORT AND VISA CONTROL. PROGRAMS SHOULD BE SET UP TO PROTECT POLITICALLY SENSITIVE PERSONS, AND FORMS OF PUNISHMENT FOR TERRORIST ACTS SHOULD BE INITIATED AND CARRIED OUT. (DAG)