This economist article gives a little update on the FARC's most famous hostage: Ingrid Betancourt. Two weeks ago, the group presentation was about the FARC and they mentioned the often used tactic of kidnapping, as well as Ms. Betancourt being among the terrorist organization's hundreds of captives. This article says that Colombia's president (Uribe) has promised to release all FARC members held in state prisons once Ms. Betancourt has been released. (She is apparently in very poor health, having spent much of her years as a hostage either "held in chains or tied to a tree...some local officials suggested that she might be on a hunger strike"). France recently sent doctors to Colombia to give Ms. Betancourt needed treatment (her son says she needs a blood transfusion), and Mr. Uribe promised to temporarily disband the military in the area where Ms. Betancourt is held in order to give the French doctors a better chance at being allowed by the FARC to see and treat the prized prisoner.
Also, the current belief that the chances of securing Ms. Betancourt's release are higher than they have been in the recent past is a little ironic given the recent killing of Raul Reyes--the FARC's top hostage negotiator.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
The Pope's Prayer
Here is an article about the Pope's visit to New York. I think it's interesting that, even with being recently singled out by Al Qaeda himself, he basically asks forgiveness for the 9/11 hijackers. He asks for peace and love to come into the hearts of those that suffered as a result of the hijackers' actions. What does this say about counter-terrorism? What would happen if all those fighting terrorism grew a love for the terrorists? I don't think it would change much. I don't hate the terrorists, but I most certainly do NOT agree with what they stand for and what they're doing. I think that people can grow a love instead of hatred without wishing for the counterterrorist efforts to stop. I believe that those that are trying to kill innocent people (one of our requirements of terrorism) deserve to be stopped--forcefully if needs be. It doesn't mean we hate terrorists. Some people may, but not all do. Diplomacy doesn't always work. That is why many groups have turned to terrorism. That is why we (the US) have turned to force.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
The General's Testimony
I watched part of General Petraeus' testimony to the Senate committee the other day. It occurred to me, just as it seems to have occurred to all of the media sources, that the General was answering direct questions from the next President. As I thought upon this and today's reading from Pillar, I tried to determine which presidential hopeful would be able to produce the best US counter terrorism policy and if I agree with Pillar. First, Pillar forces us all to prioritize. His test proposes that a good counter terrorism policy does not hurt other foreign policy goals. Obviously Pillar does not place international terrorism as his greatest foreign policy concern.
In class Prof. Payne talked about the personal perspective that Pillar brings into his argument. He stated that Pillar, who has professional dealt with other countries, was presenting a form of counter terrorism policy that would make his life easier. This really forces all of us to decide where we put counter terrorism on our own prioritized scale. Do we believe that terrorism is the greatest challenge or trial of our generation? Do we feel that state sponsored terrorism is a larger threat then isolation? Do we believe that fighting terrorism is more important then fighting genocides, or global warming, or civil rights violations? After we determine where we put terrorism on our prioritized list, we should really look at the candidates and their votes and platforms. Perhaps we can try to determine what personal perspectives may be driving their future policy decisions. Will be a Vietnam war vet change your positions? Will a diverse heritage including a Muslim father affect policy? Will a husband's presidency or experience as a CEO of Walmart affect policy? If these and other personal perspectives do influence policy does that make the candidate more attractive?
Perhaps this post seems far removed from the class. However, I would assume that we all took this class in hopes of establishing a good understanding of terrorism and counter terrorism. I do not think that is possible unless we evaluate our readings and any current politicians and policies using the tools we have learned in class; including looking at the author of policy and their personal perspectives. Voting is also one of the easiest ways we can contribute our opinion in a national discussion of terrorism and counter terrorism policy.
In class Prof. Payne talked about the personal perspective that Pillar brings into his argument. He stated that Pillar, who has professional dealt with other countries, was presenting a form of counter terrorism policy that would make his life easier. This really forces all of us to decide where we put counter terrorism on our own prioritized scale. Do we believe that terrorism is the greatest challenge or trial of our generation? Do we feel that state sponsored terrorism is a larger threat then isolation? Do we believe that fighting terrorism is more important then fighting genocides, or global warming, or civil rights violations? After we determine where we put terrorism on our prioritized list, we should really look at the candidates and their votes and platforms. Perhaps we can try to determine what personal perspectives may be driving their future policy decisions. Will be a Vietnam war vet change your positions? Will a diverse heritage including a Muslim father affect policy? Will a husband's presidency or experience as a CEO of Walmart affect policy? If these and other personal perspectives do influence policy does that make the candidate more attractive?
Perhaps this post seems far removed from the class. However, I would assume that we all took this class in hopes of establishing a good understanding of terrorism and counter terrorism. I do not think that is possible unless we evaluate our readings and any current politicians and policies using the tools we have learned in class; including looking at the author of policy and their personal perspectives. Voting is also one of the easiest ways we can contribute our opinion in a national discussion of terrorism and counter terrorism policy.
Terrorism without Borders
The chief of homeland security said this week that serious threats to cyberspace are on "a par with what this country tragically experienced on 9/11". This was at a technology conference in California with some of the leading professionals. This presents a interesting problem terror without borders ? It is usually very difficult to determine the source of cyber terrorist so as a result we end up with no physical targets to attack, conspirators or the people who where carrying out the terror. So in short this obviously creates some big problems for counter terrorism so ... what do we do? Do we train Internet counter terrorism teams ?
Monday, April 7, 2008
Pakistan
Here is a short little clip saying that the Prime Minister of Pakistan recently came out and said that the Pakistani government is going to make a better effort and do more to contain terrorism and extremism in Pakistan.
This is a very big step for Pakistan, having a country in the Middle East make an effort to lower the threat and occurrence of terrorism is definitely a step in the right direction. This could be a turning point, by setting an example of the ability for Middle Eastern countries to do so. I am not saying this will stop terrorism, but sometimes it only takes one person/country to take a step in the right direction for others to do the same.
This is a very big step for Pakistan, having a country in the Middle East make an effort to lower the threat and occurrence of terrorism is definitely a step in the right direction. This could be a turning point, by setting an example of the ability for Middle Eastern countries to do so. I am not saying this will stop terrorism, but sometimes it only takes one person/country to take a step in the right direction for others to do the same.
Egyptian Elections and the Muslim Brotherhood
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7334191.stm
The author of this article discusses how the Muslim Brotherhood plans to boycott municpal elections in Egypt following a crackdown against the illegal yet tolerated political party. Apparently over 800 members of the Muslim Brotherhood have been jailed in recent weeks as President Mubarak's party attempts to maintain its grip of control in the country. The author states that Mubarak's National Democratic Party will be unopposed in over 90% of the seats open for contest in the upcoming elections. Groups beside the Muslim Brotherhood have complained about injustice in the government as far as fair elections are concerned. What is the motivation for the stranglehold on power? Is there a real threat that another party could seize control of the government if true democracy is able to influence elections in Egypt. Also, why has the Muslim Brotherhood been banned as a political party? Does the Muslim Brotherhood have ties to terrorism? Is the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group? Any thoughts?
The author of this article discusses how the Muslim Brotherhood plans to boycott municpal elections in Egypt following a crackdown against the illegal yet tolerated political party. Apparently over 800 members of the Muslim Brotherhood have been jailed in recent weeks as President Mubarak's party attempts to maintain its grip of control in the country. The author states that Mubarak's National Democratic Party will be unopposed in over 90% of the seats open for contest in the upcoming elections. Groups beside the Muslim Brotherhood have complained about injustice in the government as far as fair elections are concerned. What is the motivation for the stranglehold on power? Is there a real threat that another party could seize control of the government if true democracy is able to influence elections in Egypt. Also, why has the Muslim Brotherhood been banned as a political party? Does the Muslim Brotherhood have ties to terrorism? Is the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group? Any thoughts?
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Religion and Suicide Bombing
I read an interesting article that talks about a conference that just took place in Oklahoma (a hotbed of counter-terrorist thinking. Who knew?) Check out the article here
I recommend that you all check out this article, but something interesting that I got from it concerned suicide terrorism. One of the speakers, Robert Pape, of the University of Chicago, noted that most people have this idea that suicide bombing is always motivated by religion. He points out that this is not the case, and that religion is usually not the cause for suicide bombings. He states the one group which uses suicide bombings, the PKK, has Marxist and anti-religion beliefs. Another, the Tamil Tigers, do not have religious motivations. He also says that when Al-Qaeda in Iraq has used suicide bombs, it has been to slow the spread of democracy, not for any religious motivations.
I thought this was an interesting idea because I for one have considered religion a main motivation for suicide bombings, but the actual data proves otherwise.
I recommend that you all check out this article, but something interesting that I got from it concerned suicide terrorism. One of the speakers, Robert Pape, of the University of Chicago, noted that most people have this idea that suicide bombing is always motivated by religion. He points out that this is not the case, and that religion is usually not the cause for suicide bombings. He states the one group which uses suicide bombings, the PKK, has Marxist and anti-religion beliefs. Another, the Tamil Tigers, do not have religious motivations. He also says that when Al-Qaeda in Iraq has used suicide bombs, it has been to slow the spread of democracy, not for any religious motivations.
I thought this was an interesting idea because I for one have considered religion a main motivation for suicide bombings, but the actual data proves otherwise.
The truth about terrorism?
http://www.infocusnews.net/content/view/20838/526/
This article I read was very interesting. This article comes from the largest muslim paper out of California. I thought this would be a good artucle for the class since we have been talking about the use of the word, "terrorism". It starts out talking about since the invasion of Iraq. "The sad fact is that the so-called “war on terrorism” is failing and that terrorism is spreading around the world like a cancer and is posing more and more danger for us." Another way that this article relates to the class is the fact that we have been talking about terrorist getting nuclear weapons. Throughout this whole article Parko talks about how the great military force can do nothing. Parko idea of solving terrorism, he says that aid is the best way to prevent terrorism. Even if we just drop our military budget by 10% we could give all that aid to people in countries where terrorism threaves. By doing this Parko feels that it would create a hard time for terrorist to find people that are willing to die for there cause. I think that military force should not be cut by 10%. If we did this then I think it would make it that much harder to fight terrorist in different areas. To me I would rather fight a war on terror away from the United States then in it. I also, wanted to know what everyone thinks about this article. Having it come from the largest muslim paper in California, do you guys think that has a influne on the article. Would the muslim conection make it a reason that the article feels aid should be sent instead of bombs?
Let me know?
Thanks
Austin Conners
This article I read was very interesting. This article comes from the largest muslim paper out of California. I thought this would be a good artucle for the class since we have been talking about the use of the word, "terrorism". It starts out talking about since the invasion of Iraq. "The sad fact is that the so-called “war on terrorism” is failing and that terrorism is spreading around the world like a cancer and is posing more and more danger for us." Another way that this article relates to the class is the fact that we have been talking about terrorist getting nuclear weapons. Throughout this whole article Parko talks about how the great military force can do nothing. Parko idea of solving terrorism, he says that aid is the best way to prevent terrorism. Even if we just drop our military budget by 10% we could give all that aid to people in countries where terrorism threaves. By doing this Parko feels that it would create a hard time for terrorist to find people that are willing to die for there cause. I think that military force should not be cut by 10%. If we did this then I think it would make it that much harder to fight terrorist in different areas. To me I would rather fight a war on terror away from the United States then in it. I also, wanted to know what everyone thinks about this article. Having it come from the largest muslim paper in California, do you guys think that has a influne on the article. Would the muslim conection make it a reason that the article feels aid should be sent instead of bombs?
Let me know?
Thanks
Austin Conners
Problems of Profiling
A few week ago in class we discussed whether profiling would reduce the risks of terrorist attacks. This article highlights the problem associated with profiling,which is, terrorists recruit from among those that are least likely to raise suspicion. Once the terrorist organization learns about the people who are exempt from being searched, they will recruit from among them, so as to ensure a successful operation. Proving this statement right,the Al-Queda in Iraq is recruiting mentally handicapped women to carry out their operations. Being mentally impaired, these women are extremely vulnerable and easily buy into terrorist propaganda. Also there is a higher likelihood of the operation being carried out successfully because these women are less likely to be searched as they raise little to no suspension with their unusual activities.
Profiling has another drawback, Al-Queda has been recruiting hundreds of British non-Muslims to carry out their war against the west. Though most of these recruits may eventually convert to Islam, for the sake of our security, it is important that no one is profiled and everyone is searched. We may be worse off profiling and scrutinizing an Arab looking man who has nothing to do with terrorism, while letting go of an elderly Caucasian who might have direct links to a terrorist network.
Profiling has another drawback, Al-Queda has been recruiting hundreds of British non-Muslims to carry out their war against the west. Though most of these recruits may eventually convert to Islam, for the sake of our security, it is important that no one is profiled and everyone is searched. We may be worse off profiling and scrutinizing an Arab looking man who has nothing to do with terrorism, while letting go of an elderly Caucasian who might have direct links to a terrorist network.
More LTTE Action
Just the other day, the LTTE assassinated (by suicide bombing) a senior Sri Lankan minister. The President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, today vowed to eradicate terrorism from the country in order to end the problems that the Tamil Tigers have been causing. I wonder how much action will actually follow this statement. Why now? Was this one minister that important? The LTTE have been killing since the mid 80s and are responsible for the deaths of more than 70,000 people. I think that this statement by the president is more bark than bite. I doubt that much more will be done by the Sri Lankan government against the LTTE. What do you guys think?
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