NCJ Number
61965
Date Published
Unknown
Length
15 pages
Annotation
POLITICAL TERRORISM IS EXAMINED IN RELATION TO CONFLICT RESOLUTION, SECURITY, INTELLIGENCE, TERRORIST PATTERNS, HUMAN FACTORS, MEDIA RESPONSIVENESS, WEAPONS TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS.
Abstract
SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SPREAD OF TERRORISM IN MANY COUNTRIES. NECESSARY ELEMENTS OF TERROR ARE ORGANIZATIONAL CONDITIONS (LEADERSHIP AND TRAINING, AN ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, SECURITY, INTELLIGENCE, A METHOD, AND HUMAN FACTORS KNOWLEDGE), SOCIAL CONDITIONS (ISSUES, MEDIA RESPONSIVENESS, AND HIGH TECHNOLOGY), AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS (THEORY AND THEORY COMPATIBILITY FACTS OF TERROR AS THEY RELATE TO POLITICAL AND OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES, VARIOUS POLITICAL USES, AND SUPPORTIVE AND NONSUPPORTIVE AUTHORITATIVE REACTIONS). TERRORISM IS PREVALENT IN NORTHERN IRELAND, THE MIDDLE EAST, AND AFRICA. SOME TERRORIST GROUPS HAVE DEVELOPED INTELLIGENCE AND COUNTERINTELLIGENCE WINGS TO INSURE TARGET AND OTHER TACTICAL ENEMY INFORMATION AND TO PROVIDE SECURITY THROUGH COUNTERINTELLIGENCE MEASURES. TERRORISTS WHO ARE AWARE OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF THEIR ACTIONS AND WHO CAN EXPLOIT THIS IMPACT REPRESENT A MAJOR THREAT. WITHOUT THE MEDIA, TERRORISTS HAVE NO AUDIENCE; MEDIA RESPONSIVENESS FACILITATES AND EXPANDS TERRORIST ACTIVITIES. ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY HAVE PROVIDED SEVERAL ADVANTAGES FOR CONTINUED TRANSNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC TERRORISM. TERRORISTS GENERALLY CHOOSE THEIR WEAPONS ON THE BASIS OF CERTAIN CRITERIA: EASE OF USE AND ACCURACY; DURABILITY, WITH MINIMUM MAINTENANCE; SLOW OR FAST CYCLIC RATES OF FIRE; EASY ACCESS TO AMMUNITION; EASE OF CONCEALMENT AND OF TRANSPORTABILITY; SUFFICIENT DESTRUCTIVENESS AND FEAR INDUCEMENT; AND DIFFICULTY IN TRACING. VARIOUS USES OF POLITICAL TERRORISM IN THE POLITICAL ARENA ARE CONSIDERED, AND SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVES AND LONG-RANGE GOALS OF TERRORISTS ARE NOTED. REACTIONS TO TERRORIST ACTIVITIES ARE ADDRESSED. (DEP)