INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

1. It is not a new phenomenon but it has emerged as a global problem only in 20th century more specifically since 1950s. Process of globalizations has also globalized terrorism.


1. India has been the worst sufferer from the activities of Pakistan-Afghanistan trained terrorists who are operating in Kashmir thru some self-styled groups. But no one including USA took Indias warning seriously.


1. Definition


1. First appeared during the French Revolution Reign of Terror.

1. It is mentioned as used of force, creating terror or fear, intimidating methods, especially to secure political ends, liquidating resistance, stifling dissent, etc.
Publicity forms an essential component of a terrorists strategy. Kill one and frighten 10000.

2. Effectiveness of terrorism rests mainly on the element of surprise and fear. Terrorism differs from other crimes in that it always claims to be acting for a cause other than their personal benefit. A terrorists first loyalty is not himself but to his cause, just as a soldier.
A victim is normally not the one for whom the message is intended. Therefore, terrorism must not be defined only in terms of violence but also in terms of propaganda.


1. International terrorist action is supported by one or more foreign pro-terrorist regime and the act is aimed to influence int. opinion.


1. Aims and Tactics


1. Seeks to force civilized society to violate its own basic values and the disciplines that sustain them.

1. To pose a threat to those they consider obstacles in achievement of their goals.

2. Their tactics includes hijacking, black-mail, ruthless killing by shooting etc.

3. Terrorist groups are generally too small and weak to operate successfully against govt. Thats why they insist upon psychological rather than practical results.

4. E.g. aim of Palestinian terrorist attacks in Jerusalem in 1975 was to gain popularity.

5. Targeting patterns of the extremists include leader of importance, public figures, industries, common man etc.
that is why it becomes a difficult task for the law enforcing agencies due to the presence of surprise element.


1. Terrorism has been used by political organizations with both rightists and leftist objectives by nationalistic, ethnic groups, armies and govt. themselves.
In latter half of 19th century terrorism was adopted by adherents of anarchism in Western Europe, Russia etc.

1. Technological advances gave them a new mobility and lethality.


1. International Terrorist Groups


1. Al-Qaeda Established by Osama in late 1980s, it aims to establish a pan-Islamic Caliphate through out the world by working with Islamic extremist groups. It has worldwide reach and is financed by money inherited by Laden.


1. HAMAS Formed in late 1987, wants Islamic Palestinian state in place of Israel. Concentrated in Gaza strip and West Bank. Receives funding from Palestinian expatriates, Iran and benefactors in Saudi and other Arab states.


1. Hezbollah Radical Shi group wants increasing political power; opposed to Israel. Operates in Lebanon and closely allied with and often directed by Iran. Receives substantial aid and training from Iran and Syria.


1. Harkat-ul-Mujahedeen Based in Pakistan, operates primarily in Kashmir. Operated terrorist training camps in Afghanistan. Linked to hijacking of IA plane to Kandahar. Collects donations from Saudi, other Gulf and Islamic states, Pakistan and Kashmiri.


1. Jaish-e-Mohammed Islamist groups in Pak, has rapidly expanded; aim is to unite Kashmir with Pak; terrorist activities primarily in Kashmir. Maintains training camps in Afghanistan. It has close ties with Taliban and involved in the attack on the Parliament House in New Delhi on 2001.


1. Lashkar-e-Taiba One of the three largest and best-trained groups fighting in Kashmir. Trains militants in PoK and Afghanistan; gets donations from Pakistani community in Persian gulf and UK, Islamic NGOs etc.


1. Indian Mujahedeen Islamist terrorist group; a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba; has regional aspirations with the ultimate aim of creating an Islamic Caliphate across South Asia. Responsible for Bodh Gaya bombing 2013.


1. SIMI Students Islamic Movement in India Liberation of India from Western materialistic cultural influence so that Muslim society can live according to Muslim code of conduct. According to IB, it also operates under the name of Indian Mujahedeen.
TYPES OF TERRORISM

1. Repressive/State Terrorism Act of terrorism conducted by a state against foreign state or on its own people. E.g. French Reign of Terror.


1. Revolutionary and War Terrorism When terrorism is employed to make a revolution successful and to overthrow a corrupt and repressive regime it is known as revolutionary terrorism.

During war when belligerent countries terrorize each other and especially civilian populations it is called war terror. They create war terror by making a war-like condition.


1. Xeno-terrorism and Homo Terrorism In Xeno terrorist groups fight against foreigners for achieving goals like realignment of political boundaries. They dont depend on the support of the people on the target country and hence are more indiscriminate in the use of violence.

Homo-terrorists are fighting for their own countrymen. This group has to fashion its strategies carefully as they cant afford to lose the popular support.


1. Local, National and International e.g. Local terrorism in north-east states; National Some Kashmiri terrorist org. which operate and strike outside J&K.


1. State Sponsored Terrorism Some govt. secretly support terrorist groups by providing weapons, training and money for attacks in other countries.
USA has to take some blame as the leading exporter of this form of terrorism, which by its expansionist and hegemonistic tendencies has sought to use terrorism internationally. USA in the past financed, supplied arms and provided military training to some nations in its fight against USSR.


1. Religion Based Terrorism this brand regards violence as a divine duty. It is not restricted to a particular religion. White Supremacists in USA, Radical Jewish groups in Israel, Radical Sikh fundamentalists and conservative Hindu elements in India and Islamic fundamentalist.

Some states are considered Rogue States (e.g. Syria, N. Korea, Cuba etc.) as they are considered threat to world peace. Rogue states differ from Pariah State like Zimbabwe or Burma (under military rule) who allegedly abuse human rights but are not considered threat to Int. community.
Rogue states (and also states like Pakistan, Afghanistan) have taken this form of terrorism too far which has divided the world into Islamic and Non-Islamic nations after 9/11.


1. Ideological Terrorism extreme right or left. E.g. Naxal and Maoist.


1. Nuclear Terrorism emergence of nuclear, biological, chemical and cyber terrorism (NBC2); it is directly linked to technological progress.
This can be carried out by a disgruntled group within govt. or some military group within civil war which is a major area of concern.


1. Cyber Terrorism different from cyber crime as it is politically motivated and must instill terror.


1. Bio-Terrorism terror of getting annihilated by biological and chemical attacks and most devastatingly the terror of just waiting for a genocide to happen. It has the capability of travelling unseen in air and causing mass deaths in a matter of days. E.g. Anthrax attack in USA or Sarin gas attack in Tokyo subway etc.
It is ironical how USA which now seems most endangered by germ warfare had taken the lead to reproduce these deadly weapons in 40s. It not only conducted several tests but also carries out mock biological attack in more than 200 sites.

Bio weapons Anthrax, Smallpox; Chemical Sarin, Hydrogen Cyanide, Mustard Agents etc.
CAUSES OF TERRORISM

1. Colonialism A result of many years of brutal suppression, physical torture and cultural dehumanization. In the process of anti-colonial struggle many terrorist groups became active and some are still struggling to gain political power.


1. Fundamentalism Religion has become the main motivating force. E.g. Sikh, Islam etc.


1. Organized Crime and Drug-trafficking There is a growing nexus b/w terrorists and internationally organized crime and drug-trafficking networks. Distinction b/w both has blurred. Terrorists aims are ideological and political while organized crimes goal is financial but the instruments are same.

Pakistan has been one of the major merchants of illicit drugs consumed in USA. Terrorism in Kashmir is largely funded by this money in the name of Islamic fundamentalism.


1. Advance in and Availability of Weapons Improvement and easy availability of small weapons are largely responsible for the growth of terrorism. Like drug mafia, arms smugglers are also very active in some countries.
Weapons supplied to Afghan Mujahedeens against USSR regime in Afghanistan by USA which later fell into the hands of terrorists. Taliban was reincarnation of Afghan Mujahedeen.


1. Secessionism After decolonization many micro-sovereign states appeared. With this development many small ethnic groups in diff. nations were encouraged to demand separate identity. E.g. Khalistan, Croatians in Yugoslavia, Tamils in SL


1. Modern Technology Laden was the perfect example of globalism. With satellite telephone he was able to communicate with his followers in real time during his isolation.


1. Abetment by States As UN Charter has prohibited the use of force by States in their relations with other states, several states started encouraging terrorists thru proxy wars and supporting military outfits.
With this encouragement terrorism in modern world became more ruthless and technically more efficient with the use of sophisticated weapons. As Pak is not in a position to settle Kashmir issue thru open conflict, it was constrained to take recourse to unconventional war with India.


1. Economic Reasons Instability in developing world is one of the primary factors. A situation beyond a tolerable limit would lead to prolonged and violent backlash from deprived sections. Also poverty, unemployment, social and political injustices provide easy workforce for outfits.


1. Creation of USA it is outcome of USAs own doings, policies and unilateral displays of power since the end of WW2.
USAs denial of rights to Palestinians, denial of economic aid to poor nations, Cold war politics, creation of Afghan Mujahedeen, USAs deaf ear to Indias warnings, destructive policy on Iraq etc
IMPACT OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

1. New era in IR after 9/11; changed foreign policy of several nations esp. USA.
New Type of Security threat more covert, sudden and dangerous.

1. Instrument of Foreign Policy for some nations like Pak.

2. Spoiled/further deteriorated relations b/w Nations Israel-Arab; India-SL; India-Bangladesh

3. Clash of Civilization b/w Islamic and non-Islamic.
But some dont believe this
Sharp sectarian diff among Muslims. Iran-Iraq war proves this.


1. International Coalition USAs War on Terror, almost every country in the world supported USA to throw Taliban regime out of Afghanistan.
USA and other western countries were earlier turning a blind eye to Pak-sponsored terrorism in India. Since early 90s India has been the worst sufferer of this.

It has been criticized that USA devised the mechanism of Int. coalition to avoid Int. isolation. It was used by USA to legitimize its actions which otherwise would have evoked sharp reactions.


1. Terrorism replaces Communism War on terror has not ended with the ouster of Taliban and Saddam.


1. Counter-Terrorism Measures taken up by various countries tightening of immigration rules, POTA and Patriot Act by USA, freezing assets of terrorist outfits, strategic cooperation and joint exercises etc.
In this exercise some countries have damaged human rights and rule of law.


1. Change of Regime in Afghanistan and Iraq otherwise very difficult to remove.


1. Impact on UN Its response to tackle terrorism came very late and it almost failed to determine what constitutes terrorism pre 9/11. Its inaction boosted morale of terrorist groups.
Only after 9/11 it passed two major anti-terrorism conventions.
This body is under threat of being rendered irrelevant during the current era of US-dominated unipolar world. Gulf War-2 didnt have consent of UN. Due to USA activism against terrorism, UNs credibility stooped very low.


1. Mounting American dominance USA has established strong military dominance in Central Asia. Russia, China, India, and other European countries also have stakes in this region.


1. Adverse Economic Impact


1. Change in Foreign Policy USAs policy change is evident.
China after 9/11 china cooperated with USA thru intelligence sharing but mutual suspension remained.
Western Allies supported attack on Taliban but began to view USA as increasingly dangerous at the time of regime change in Iraq.

COUNTER TERRORISM

1. Policy of Cold War hampered UN in effectively combating terrorism which in turn led to several org. and states to involve and support International terrorism freely.

2. UN Conventions

1. Global convention against terrorism

2. Convention aimed specifically to fight nuclear terrorism

3. Resolution 1368 recognizes any act of Int. terrorism a threat to int. peace and security.

4. Resolution 1373 is more extensive and decides that all States should prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism.


1. International Criminal Court


1. In 2002, creation of the worlds first permanent war crimes court. It is to be based in Hague, Netherlands.

1. In place of impunity, a system of accountability is set up for those crimes that are described in the statute genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression.

2. Legal safeguards to ensure due process; Court would only step in if a national system was unable or unwilling to do so. Primary responsibility for the punishment of crimes is with states and not the Int. community.

3. Itll not be part of UN instead itll be accountable to countries that ratify the Stature, which have agreed to prosecute individuals accused of such crimes under their own laws.

4. India has not signed the stature and is critical of the court.

5. Court is accused of being biased towards African as to date all ICCs cases have been from African states.


1. Yet, there is no world tribunal currently empowered to try terrorist cases. Some say they could be brought under ICC but USA and other allies have expressed reservations. They fear the proposed charge of crimes against humanity may not be well defined and the proceedings could politicize the court.
Many argue, national courts could do the job more efficiently.
SUGGESTIONS

1. Nations should exclude terrorist acts from the clause of political offences in various extradition treaties to have an effective prosecution of terrorists.

2. Steps should be taken to constitute an Int. police force under UN to detect terrorist activities of various states and groups.

3. Terrorist attacks on innocent civilians should be treated as crimes against humanity and they should be tried in ICC.

4. Steps should be taken in fixing the responsibility on the States which aid and assist terrorism in any fashion and punitive actions should be taken.

5. Community must firmly warn countries like Pak to crush terrorist groups operating on its soil

6. Intelligence agencies should be strengthened.
E.g. the way French army took measures to improve their anti-terrorist capabilities.
International law on terrorism is in patchwork. Despite the Review conference held on the Rome Statute (in which ICC was formed) in 2010, acts of terror were not considered vital enough to be included under its authority. Int. Community is unable to deal and legislate on terrorism owing to lack of consensus.

Name Ankit Uniyal


Reference International Relations (V K Malhotra)
Wikipedia