5. What is Terrorism
Terrorism is the use of force or violence against
persons or property in violation of the criminal laws of
the United States for purposes of intimidation, coercion
or ransom. Terrorists often use threats to create fear
Among the public, to try to convince citizens that their
government is powerless to prevent terrorism, and to
get immediate publicity for their causes.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) categorizes
terrorism in the United States as one of two types--
domestic terrorism or international terrorism.
Domestic terrorism involves groups or individuals
whose terrorist activities are directed at elements of our
government or population without foreign direction.
International terrorism involves groups or individuals
whose terrorist activities are foreign-based and/or
directed by countries or groups outside the United
States or whose activities transcend national
boundaries.
7. FACTS ABOUT TERRORISM
On September 5, 1972, five
Arab terrorists wearing track
suits climbed a six foot fence
surrounding the Olympic
Village in Munich, Germany.
Once inside, they were met by
three others who had gained
entrance with credentials.
Within 24 hours, eleven
Israelis, five terrorists, and a
German police officer were
dead.
8. FACTS ABOUT TERRORISM
On October 23, 1983, at 06:22 hours a large delivery truck
drove to the Beirut International Airport where the Marine
Barracks was located. After turning onto an access road
leading to the compound, the driver rushed through a barbed-
wire fence, passed between two sentry posts, crashed
through the gate, and slammed into the lobby of the barracks.
The driver detonated explosives with the power equal to
more than 12,000 pounds of TNT. The explosion crumbled
the four story building. The Terrorist attack killed 220 United
States Marines and 21 other U.S. service members. These
241 U.S. Military personnel were killed as they slept.
10. FACTS ABOUT TERRORISM
On April 19, 1995 at 0902
hours, a series of
explosions devastated the
Alfred P. Murrah Federal
Building in downtown
Oklahoma City in what
was by far the deadliest
terrorist bombing in U.S.
history. Two U.S. Citizens
delivered one Ryder truck,
loaded with 4800 pounds
of Ammonium nitrate and
fuel oil. 168 men, women,
and children were killed.
11. FACTS ABOUT TERRORISM
On February 29, 1993, a van
packed with a 1500 pound urea-
nitrate bomb was detonated in the
parking garage of the World Trade
Center in New York City which
resulted in the deaths of six people
and injured one thousand due to
toxic smoke. The bomb left a crater
200 by 100 feet wide and five
stories deep. The World Trade
Center became established as a
prime target and was the second
largest building in the world housing
100,000 workers and visitors each
day
12. FACTS ABOUT TERRORISM
On March 19, 1995 Monday
morning rush hour in Tokyo
Terrorist released Sarin nerve
gas in the subway . This
cowardly attack killed 5 and
injured 565
13. FACTS ABOUT TERRORISM
On May 13, 1995 Terrorists detonated a
pipe bomb in the Tokyo airport, fortunately
no injuries occurred.
On July 27 1996 An unknown Terrorist
placed a knapsack bomb in the Olympic
Park in Atlanta GA, This cowardly attack
killed two and injured 111 Olympic
attendees.
14. FACTS ABOUT TERRORISM
On October 12, 2000 USS Cole set
in to Aden harbor for a routine fuel
stop. Cole completed mooring at
09:30. Refueling started at 10:30. At
11:18 local time (08:18 UTC), a small
craft approached the port side of the
destroyer, and an explosion occurred,
putting a 40-by-40-foot (12 m-by-
12 m) gash in the ship's port side.
Seventeen sailors were killed and 39
others were injured in the blast. The
attack was the deadliest against a US
Naval vessel since the Iraqi attack on
the USS Stark (FFG-31) on May
17th, 1987
15. FACTS ABOUT TERRORISM
On September 11, 2001 The
nerve center of the nation's
military burst into flames and a
portion of one side of the five-
sided structure collapsed when
a plane struck in midmorning.
Secondary explosions were
reported in the aftermath of the
attack and great billows of
smoke drifted skyward toward
the Potomac River and the city
beyond. The unprovoked attack
killed 125 U.S. citizens of which
64 were passengers on the ill
fated flight.
16. FACTS ABOUT TERRORISM
On September 11, 2001 a
bombing of the World Trade
Center in New York City
resulted in the deaths of over
three thousand workers,
visitors and emergency
response personnel who
responded to assist the
injured. The bombing resulted
in the collapsing of the second
largest buildings in the world.
17. FACTS ABOUT TERRORISM
Recent Terrorist Attacks against American Targets Using Car-Bomb Technologies
Date Target/Location Delivery/Material TNT equiv (lbs)
US Embassy
Apr 1983 van 2000
Beirut, Lebanon
US Marine Barracks
Oct 1983 truck, TNT with gas enhancement 12000
Beirut, Lebanon
World Trade Center
Feb 1993 van, urea nitrate and hydrogen gas 2000
New York, USA
Murrah Federal Bldg
Apr 1995 truck, Ammonium nitrate fuel oil 5000
Oklahoma City, USA
Khobar Towers
Jun 1996 tanker truck, plastic explosive 20000
Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
US Embassy
Aug 1998 truck, TNT, possibly Semtex 1000
Nairobi, Kenya
US Embassy
Aug 1998 truck 1000
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Destroyer USS Cole
Oct 2000 small watercraft, possibly C-4 440
Aden Harbor, Yemen
18. FACTS ABOUT TERRORISM
The Department of Defense estimates that as
many as 26 nations may possess chemical
agents and/or weapons and an additional 12 may
be seeking to develop them.
The Central Intelligence Agency reports that at
least ten countries are believed to possess or be
conducting research on biological agents for
weaponization
19. TERRORISM IN THE UNITED STATES
In the United States, most terrorist incidents have involved small extremist groups who use
terrorism to achieve a designated objective. Local, State and Federal law enforcement officials
monitor suspected terrorist groups and try to prevent or protect against a suspected attack.
Additionally, the U.S. government works with other countries to limit the sources of support for
terrorism.
The Lessons of 9/11, The attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon conforms to several trends
in international terrorism: It was an attack calculated to cause heavy casualties, it involved the use of
high jacked vehicles loaded with explosive materials. There is a high probability that the attack was
instigated by a government. The attack raises a number of difficult questions: How can the American
people in similar situations be protected against further terrorist attacks? Who was really responsible for
the attack? And if we can identify who was ultimately responsible, what response, if any, is appropriate?
A terrorist attack can take several forms, depending on the technological means available to the
terrorist, the nature of the political issue motivating the attack, and the points of weakness of the
terrorist's target. Bombings have been the most frequently used terrorist method in the United
States. Other possibilities includes an attack at transportation facilities, an attack against utilities
or other public services or an incident involving chemical or biological agents.
Terrorist incidents in this country prior to the September 11, 2001 attack have included bombings
of the World Trade Center in New York City, the United States Capitol Building in Washington,
D.C. and Mobil Oil corporate headquarters in New York City.
20. TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
Despite government success in combating terrorists in various countries, the total
volume of terrorist activity worldwide has increased during the last 15 years. The first
three years of the 1980s showed an annual increase in international terrorism of
approximately 25 percent--twice the rate of increase in the 1970s. Overall,
international terrorist activity has increased fourfold since the 1972 Munich incident.
Terrorism also is growing bloodier. At the beginning of the 1970s, 80 percent of
terrorist operations were directed against property; only 20 percent were directed
against people. By the 1980s, approximately half of all attacks were directed against
persons. Incidents with fatalities have increased by roughly 20 percent a year, and
large-scale indiscriminate attacks have become more common.
These trends continued in 1983. The total volume of international terrorist activity for
the first eight months of 1983 is about equal to that recorded during the same period
of 1982. However, 1983 is much bloodier. Although the percentage of terrorist
incidents with fatalities thus far appears only slightly greater, the proportion of
incidents with multiple fatalities is much greater. In 1983, more than one person was
killed in 59 percent of those incidents with fatalities, whereas the average from 1980
to 1982 was 37 percent.
21. TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
This trend is even more dramatic when we look at the growing
number of terrorist incidents involving 10 or more fatalities. There
have been 12 of these thus far in 1983, compared with a total of 11
during the previous three years. This trend is confirmed by still
another statistic: The number of terrorist attacks directed against
ordinary citizens, bystanders who happen to be in the wrong place
at the wrong time, has increased by 68 percent. As in past years,
most of the fatalities are the result of bombings, which in 1983
became more indiscriminate.
Terrorists operate with a very limited tactical repertoire. Bombings
alone account for roughly half of all terrorist incidents. Six basic
tactics comprise 95 percent of the total: bombings, assassinations,
armed assaults, kidnappings, barricade and-hostage situations,
and hijackings. No terrorist group uses all of them.
22. TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
The terrorists' tactical repertoire has for the most part changed little
over time. One growing tactic is the car bomb, or as we have seen
in Lebanon, truck bombs. Car bombs have been used with
devastating effect in recent months in Beirut, London, Paris, and
Pretoria. Barricade-and-hostage situations have declined. Seizing
hostages at embassies, consulates, and other government
buildings was a popular terrorist tactic in the 1970s. But heavy
security has made such takeovers more difficult, while no
concessions policies and increased willingness to use force to end
hostage episodes decreased the probabilities of payoff and
increased the risks to the terrorists there were 20 such incidents in
1980, 10 in 1981, and 5 in 1982. Overall, however, terrorist attacks
on diplomats and embassies did not decline. Assassinations and
bombings simply replaced takeovers.
23. TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
This suggests that security does work in reducing certain
tactics, but not in reducing terrorism overall. Terrorists are
nimble. If one set of targets is well-protected or one tactic
becomes more dangerous, terrorists merely shift their sights
or alter their tactics to obviate the security measures.
Protection against car bombs may reduce car-bomb
incidents; terrorists will do something else instead.
While terrorists have demonstrated greater willingness to kill
larger numbers of people, they have not for the most part
shown themselves to be suicidal. The exceptions appear to
be cultural: Shia’a Moslem fanatics; earlier, members of the
Japanese Red Army. It seems unlikely that suicidal attacks
will gain widespread favor Among the world's terrorist groups.
24. TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
Terrorist attacks are directed almost exclusively
against civilian targets. Fewer than 10 percent of
the incidents in Rand's chronology of international
terrorism were directed against the military or
police.
American citizens and facilities are-the most
frequent targets in international terrorism, figuring
in 29 percent of all incidents. About 30 percent of
these have been directed against the U.S.
military.
25. A NEW ERA OF CONFLICT
A growing number of governments themselves are using
terrorist tactics, employing terrorist groups, or exploiting
terrorist incidents as a mode of surrogate warfare. These
governments see in terrorism a useful capability, a "weapons
system," a cheap means of waging war. Terrorists fill a need.
Modern conventional war is increasingly impractical. It is too
destructive. It is too expensive. World and sometimes
domestic opinion impose constraints. Terrorists offer a
possible alternative to open armed conflict. For some nations
unable to mount a conventional military challenge--for
example, Libya versus the United States--terrorism is the only
alternative, an "equalizer."
26. A NEW ERA OF CONFLICT
We may be on the threshold of an era of armed conflict in
which limited conventional warfare, classic guerrilla warfare,
and international terrorism will coexist, with both government
and sub national entities employing them individually,
interchangeably, sequentially, or simultaneously, as well as
being required to combat them. In many respects, the future
face of war is reflected in the course of armed conflict in
Lebanon since the early 1970s. Warfare in that country has
continued on all three levels- conventional war, guerrilla
warfare, and terrorism. It involves regular armies, guerrillas,
private militias, and terrorist gunmen, some of whom are
openly assisted or covertly sponsored by foreign states, by
political or religious factions, and even by other terrorist
groups.
27. A NEW ERA OF CONFLICT
Warfare in the future may be less destructive than that in the
first half of the twentieth century, but also less coherent.
Warfare will cease to be finite. The distinction between war
and peace will dissolve. Nominal peace is likely to be filled
with continuing confrontations and crises.
Armed conflict will not be confined by national frontiers. Local
belligerents will mobilize foreign patrons. Terrorists will attack
foreign targets both at home and abroad. The United States
will be compelled to maintain capabilities for defending
against and, with the exception of terrorism, waging all three
modes of armed conflict.
28. THE PROBLEMS OF PHYSICAL PROTECTION
On the preventive side, the United States needs to devote more attention to
the physical security of its personnel, facilities, and weapons, as well as to
improve the reporting and analysis of information on terrorist threats and
actions. Physical protection against terrorism, however, poses a number of
problems.
First, terrorist groups are hard to predict, hard to penetrate. It is mainly a
matter of human intelligence. There is a high noise level of threats, few of
which materialize, few of which can be ignored. The U.S. Marines in
Lebanon had received over a hundred bomb threats or warnings of
possible terrorist bombings prior to the destruction of the Marine
Headquarters.
Moreover, there is a basic asymmetry. Terrorists can attack anything,
anywhere, anytime. Governments cannot protect everything, everywhere,
all the time. It is a certainty that terrorists will attack the least defended
target. It is a virtual certainty that there will always be a vulnerable target.
29. THE PROBLEMS OF PHYSICAL PROTECTION
Physical protection against every conceivable kind of terrorist
attack would become enormously costly, in both manpower
and money. The U.S. Department of State currently spends
15 percent of its budget on security. Over 2,000 man-hours
are devoted annually to the protection of U.S. diplomats
abroad, at a cost of $200 million. Allocations for security are
determined not by the strength of the opponent but by the
number of targets to be protected against even a
comparatively weak adversary.
At a certain point, the requirements of physical
protection can not only divert manpower from the
primary mission, but can render those defended
incapable of performing their primary mission.
30. BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL
WEAPONS
Biological agents are infectious microbes or toxins used to produce illness or
death in people, animals or plants. Biological agents can be dispersed as
aerosols or airborne particles. Terrorists may use biological agents to
contaminate food or water because they are extremely difficult to detect.
Chemical agents kill or incapacitate people, destroy livestock or ravage crops.
Some chemical agents are odorless and tasteless and are difficult to detect.
They can have an immediate effect (a few seconds to a few minutes) or a
delayed effect (several hours to several days).
Biological and chemical weapons have been used primarily to terrorize an
unprotected civilian population and not as a weapon of war. This is because of
fear of retaliation and the likelihood that the agent would contaminate the
battlefield for a long period of time. The Persian Gulf War in 1991 and other
confrontations in the Middle East were causes for concern in the United States
regarding the possibility of chemical or biological warfare. While no incidents
occurred, there remains a concern that such weapons could be involved in an
accident or be used by terrorists.
More information on Bioterrorism preparedness and response is available
online from the
Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control.
31. U.S. Counterterrorism Policy
First, make no concessions to terrorists and strike no deals;
Second, bring terrorists to justice for their crimes;
Third, isolate and apply pressure on states that sponsor
terrorism to force them to change their behavior.
Fourth, bolster the counterterrorism capabilities of those
countries that work with the U.S. and require assistance.
32. What Terrorist Look for
Terrorists look for
visible targets where
they can avoid
detection before or
after an attack such
as international
airports, large cities,
major international
events, resorts, and
high-profile
landmarks.
33. CONCLUSIONS
Security against terrorist attacks must be a factor
in planning any Security operation. Situations
such as U.S. involvement in the Middle East the
invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq. Deployment of
troops in Europe, and South East Asia are all
likely to provoke terrorist actions against
Americans there or elsewhere.
Emphasizing a point made earlier, security
operations need to be precisely defined.
34. CONCLUSIONS
The collection and analysis of intelligence about terrorism can and should
be improved in order to better anticipate terrorist attacks, accurately assign
culpability for those attacks, and develop appropriate countermeasures and
responses. It takes years to develop this kind of intelligence. Meanwhile, in
situations like that in Iran, and Israel it may be useful to consider
augmenting U.S. forces with area experts. They could be drawn from the
military services, civilian government agencies, the reserves, or civilian
institutions.
Military options in response to terrorism are few. Constraints are inevitable,
and in some cases, U.S. interests are best served by not responding at all.
Terrorist attacks cannot be permitted to determine U.S. foreign policy,
directly or indirectly. We have to try to invent additional low-cost responses
that keep terrorist attacks from forcing the United States to escalate
militarily, which in some cases may be exactly what terrorists hope to
achieve. These responses may involve special or conventional operations.
35. CONCLUSIONS
Regular security and military forces, as presently organized
and trained, may not be adequately prepared to operate in
terrorist environments. The armed forces will have to learn to
do this, as they had to learn to operate in jungle
environments. In the meantime, it may be useful to consider
augmenting regular forces in high-risk areas with units whose
training may make them better prepared to anticipate and
deal with terrorist threats.
It would be a mistake, however, to consign the problems of
terrorism exclusively to Special Forces. Even in a world of
growing terrorism, specialized antiterrorist units with no other
mission may be underemployed, and the remainder of the
armed forces will be left without adequate preparation. The
entire armed forces must be able to confront diverse modes
of conflict, including terrorism.
36. In Closing
Terrorists look for visible targets where they can avoid detection before or
after an attack such as international airports, large cities, major international
events, resorts, and high-profile landmarks.
Learn about the different types of terrorist weapons including explosives,
kidnappings, hijackings, arson, and shootings.
Prepare to deal with a terrorist incident by adapting many of the same
techniques used to prepare for other crises.
Be alert and aware of the surrounding area. The very nature of terrorism
suggests that there may be little or no warning.
Take precautions when traveling. Be aware of conspicuous or unusual
behavior. Do not accept packages from strangers. Do not leave luggage
unattended.
Learn where emergency exits are located. Think ahead about how to evacuate
a building, subway or congested public area in a hurry. Learn where staircases
are located.
Notice your immediate surroundings. Be aware of heavy or breakable objects
that could move, fall or break in an explosion.
37. In Closing
Preparing for a Building Explosion
The use of explosives by terrorists can result in collapsed buildings and fires.
People who live or work in a multi-level building can do the following:
Review emergency evacuation procedures. Know where fire exits are located.
Keep fire extinguishers in working order. Know where they are located, and
how to use them. Learn first aid. Contact the local chapter of the American Red
Cross for additional information.
Keep the following items in a designated place on each floor of the building.
Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
Several flashlights and extra batteries
First aid kit and manual
Several hard hats
Fluorescent tape to rope off dangerous areas
38. SUMMARY
The attack on America conforms to several trends in international terrorism:
The volume of terrorist activity has increased in the last 15 years, terrorism
has grown bloodier, and there is increasing use of terrorism by
governments. We may be on the threshold of an era in which limited
conventional war, classic guerrilla warfare, and international terrorism will
coexist, with both governments and sub national entities employing them
individually, interchangeably, sequentially, or simultaneously. As a result,
the United States will be compelled to maintain capabilities for defending
against and, with the exception of terrorism, waging all three modes of
conflict.
Physical protection against terrorism poses a number of challenges.
Terrorist groups are hard to predict and hard to penetrate. Whereas they
can attack anything, anywhere, anytime, governments cannot protect
everything, everywhere, all the time. Physical protection is costly and can
not only divert manpower from the primary mission, but can render those
defended incapable of performing primary missions.
39. SUMMARY
Security against terrorism must be a planning factor in any
security or military operation. The collection and analysis of
intelligence about terrorism can and should be improved to
better anticipate terrorist attacks, accurately assign
culpability, and develop appropriate countermeasures. There
is a need to invent additional low-cost responses that keep
terrorist attacks from forcing the United States to escalate
militarily. Regular security forces may not be adequately
prepared to operate in terrorist environments, and they will
have to learn to do this. It would be a mistake to consign the
problems of terrorism to Special Forces only; the entire
security forces must be able to confront diverse modes of
conflict, including terrorism.
