TERRORISM
Following the dramatic events of September 11, 2001, the issue of terrorism has become a permanent actor in the daily amphitheater of international politics. Every American should realize what terrorism entails, especially after 9/11. Whether or not we understand the proper meaning of terrorism, it has become a large, terrifying part of our society today.
To clarify things, the scientific definition of terrorism is "the use of intimidation, coercion, threats, and violent attacks to achieve the objectives of an individual or of a group" (Parrillo, 2002, p.261). The methods used in terrorism include threats, bombings, the destruction of property, kidnapping, and the taking of hostages, executions, and assassinations. Terrorist actions may be committed by a single individual, a certain group, or even governments. Most terrorists claim to be dedicated to higher causes. (Kushner, 2003)
The term terrorism has also been consistently considered as the "poor man's warfare" or asymmetric warfare in which state and non state adversaries avoid direct engagement with military forces.
English: Osama bin Laden interviewed for Daily Pak...
English: Hamid Mir interviewing Osama bin Laden fo...
English: Frame grab from the Osama bin Laden video...Instead, they devise and carry out strategies, tactics, and weapons to exploit perceived weaknesses. As a result of the September 11, 2001attacks, other concepts have been advanced to characterize terrorism including; 'act/acts of war', 'war crimes', 'crimes against humanity', and 'crimes against peace'. (Kushner, 2003)
Terrorism is not a new concept. In fact, terrorism has been practiced throughout history and throughout the world in all its different forms. Roman emperors such as Tiberius (reigned AD 14-37) and Caligula (reigned AD 37-41) used banishment, expropriation of property, and execution as means to discourage opposition to their rule.
The Ku Klux Klan is a terrorist organization was formed by defiant Southerners after the American Civil War (1861-65). In the latter half of the 19th century, terrorism was adopted by adherents of anarchism in Western Europe, Russia, and...