Facebook and the FARC

A recent Economist article took a different take on terrorism and media. In class last week we discussed the benefits and drawbacks of the media with regards to terrorism. Specifically, how terrorist organizations benefit from new media like the internet, satellite TV stations, and cheap video production equipment and costs. This article didn't discuss internet anonymity or recruiting techniques, but how it can be used for counter-terrorism measures. Oscar Morales created the Facebook group "One million voices against the FARC," which organized marches against the terrorist organization on February 4th. Apparently, most Colombians are sick of the FARC and are standing up to them in some degree. 700-plus hostages later, the FARC no longer has the support (whether passive or active) of the public, and most people are blaming them (instead of the Colombian government) for the continuation of the hostage crisis. It's interesting to see another use of the internet...and one which doesn't benefit terrorists. Who would have thought Facebook could be a counter-terrorism tool--organizing over a million people to demonstrate to the world and the FARC, itself, a change in public sentiment?

Al-Qaeda Defeated in Baghdad

From the article: " Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki proclaimed on Friday that Al-Qaeda had been routed in Baghdad thanks to a security plan launched a year ago, and would soon be defeated throughout the country."

Though it seems the surge in Iraq has had an affect on the amount of attacks and casualties in Iraq since its inception (attacks down 62 percent since last June in all of Iraq), it is hard for one to say that Al-Qaeda has been "routed" or "defeated" completely. In our studies of the network structure in terrorist groups, especially Al-Qaeda, it cannot be fully known the extent to which the organization exists or doesn't exist. This announcement may signal better success but to infer that the job in Baghdad is complete is very hard to accept.

Greg

Terrorists see Women as to weak to rule countries

"It’s no wonder why the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wassallam) said, “The nation that has entrusted its affairs to a woman cannot be successful.” Aside from a woman’s weakness of her period and the affects it has on her (as has been proven scientifically), the pressure around her will be so great and momentous that it will be easy for her to make an enormous mistake that is rooted in her emotional veins. If Clinton is elected as President, it would be good for the Ummah. Why? Because America would crumble very fast. "

This puts forth a very intresting point of view from the terrroist perspective that women are not an enemy because they are weak. If muslims extremists see women as so weak how can we use that to a counter-terroist tool ?

U.S. Presidential Elections

I remember a question being raised in class asking if terrorist organizations are concerned about and observing the current presidential elections. I found an interesting review of the candidates by a website that spreads various terrorist propaganda. It is clear that these people are paying attention to the current race and thinking of what will happen when one of them is elected. The thing that I found most interesting in this analysis is that the author claims that whoever is put into the oval office will be elected according to Allah's will.

Suicide Bombers' Burial

I've never realized what happened to suicide bombers' bodies after the attacks. This is an interesting article that explains it. If you read it, notice what the mullahs says about killing oneself and others.  The article discusses the debate over this.

Israeli-sponsored terrorism?

I found an interesting article online today. You can find it here

Basically Saudi Arabia seems to be siding with the Palestinians, and saying that what Israel is doing to them is state sponsored terrorism. Saudi Arabia said that the international community needs to take a stand and pressure Israel to end these "atrocities".

I find this very interesting. I don't know enough about the entire situation to form an educated opinion, but I do know (from this class and others), that Palestinian terrorists constantly carry out suicide bomb missions against Israel. Is that not considered terrorism, or atrocities, by Saudi Arabia? While I understand the Palestinian grievances, I don't think terrorism is the way to address them, and I certainly don't place blame on Israel for trying to defend their cities.

What do you think? Who is guilty of terrorism here in this situation?

Terrorism may become a salient issue in polls

http://www.livemint.com/2008/02/11003646/Terrorism-may-become-a-salient.html
I found this article on the effect of terrorism on voting. This article specifically talks about The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in theBharatiya Janata Party (BJP). It discusses how tactics on terrorism may have to become one of the parties main platforms. During the UPA rule, a series of terrorist attacks have taken place in the last four years. All these terrorist attacks have also occurred in then Congress-ruled states of Maharashtra, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have led to the allegation that the Congress party is “soft on terror” and lacks the political will to curb terrorism. This is the main reason that he UPA has changed it tactics and views. I wonder if anyone knows if terrorism has been effecting voting in other countries besides that United States. Also, is changing Parties platform the only way to change public opinion on its views on terrorism . I hope that this gets some interesting convo.
Thanks
Austin Conners

A New Generation

The Al - Qaeda in Iraq is recruiting children to carry out their operations. The US and Iraqi forces recently released a footage showing children under the age of 11 participating in terrorist activities. We discussed in class that terrorists tend to recruit individuals who can be easily persuaded to carry out their operations. Children of that age are easily brainwashed and ask little if any questions. Besides that, these children are recruited for attracting other young children and teenagers. Also, since children raise very little suspicion by their activities, it is easy for them to carry out any operation as long as they have the proper training.

Australian anti-terrorism

I found this interesting article that described recent efforts from Australia to combat anti-terrorism. You can find the article here

I this article it is says that the EU recently agreed with Australia to share information about airline passengers traveling from Europe to Australia. The US and Canada already have access to this information, and now Australia will be able to check private data of passengers.

I think it's good to see Australia and the EU cooperating to increase the anti-terrorism efforts of Australia. I hope that similar agreements can be made with other countries.