Study Guide: 1. The Definition of Terrorism

Study Guide
Nowadays, more and more people notice the dander and potential
damage of terrorism. Besides, many nations are serious about the
problem that cause by the terrorism. Beyond a doubt, people usually
hold a negative attitude to it. However, most of the people dont
really realize the meaning of terrorism. In addition, though
governments strive to think of proper solutions to the problem, there
arent any appropriate methods to achieve the goal yet. Here are
some points that are worth enough to discuss.
1. The definition of terrorism
When discussing about the definition of terrorism, there are a
number of different opinions toward it. A famous expert Bruce
Hoffman, who is a specialist in the study of terrorism and
counterterrorism and insurgency and counter-insurgency have once
express his opinion that not only the departments in the same
government arent able to have a consensus, but other experts
opinions differ from each other as well. Offering terrorist activity a
clear definition seems difficultly, there are also some obstacles to
comprehensive the definition as well.
To formulate international criminal laws for the purpose of dealing
with terrorism , Carlos Diaz-Paniagua, who coordinated the
negotiations of the proposed United Nations Comprehensive
Convention on International Terrorism have once stated that:
Criminal law has three purposes: to declare that a conduct is
forbidden, to prevent it, and to express society's condemnation for
the wrongful acts. The difficulty we are facing right now each is each
nation has its own perspective. Moreover, the act may be viewed in
totally opposite when the both sides have different standpoint.
During 1970 to 1980, United Nations have once intended to make
a distinct definition. Unfortunately, members had dissimilar
perspective to using violence to deal with the conflicts caused by race
independence. The situation finally made the plan false. The
discrepancy make United Nations not be able to formulate a
singulargeneral and law-constraint legislation.
2. The intention of terrorist activity
Before making an effective solution to it, we are supposed to
realize the intention of these incredible actions first. Those who are
labeled terrorists often reject to confirm the label. They usually
consider themselves Separatists, freedom fighters, liberators,
revolutionary, vigilantes, militants, paramilitary forces, guerrillas,
armed uprisings and Patriots. When it comes to contending for
freedom, some organizations often receive negative criticism from
western government and media. Strangely, those who succeed and
become the nation leader are tended to be regarded as politician.
On the contrary, those who dont succeed are considered terrorists.
The main reasons why people practice these radical actions are
still a tough question to be answered. Experts also admit that the
motivation may be so complex that its hard to describe in a simple
word.
The actions usually take place because of the political goal. They
think that there arent any suitable or practical ways to achieve their
goal, and therefore they finally decide to put themselves at risk. Its
obvious that when a terrorist activity takes place, the media will
report it immediately. They successfully draw the publics attention to
what they required.
Attacking the symbolic features of a nation could decrease the
citizens confidence to the government. The terrible 911 event
happened in US is a typical case. The other influence of terrorism is
destroying the cooperation between citizens and governments.
America, Ireland, Kenya, Algeria and Cyprus's independence war have
all occurred from the influence above.
3. The policy to against terrorism

Nations around the world are forced to take actions to protect its
citizens from the attack of terrorist activity. The premier of China have
pointed out that nations are supposed to deepen the cooperation of
safety in Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting.
Moreover, he stated that counter-terrorism is the common
responsibility and benefit to each nation. China strongly emphasized
the importance of cooperation to maintain the safety. Its obvious that
its not an issue which is regional. On the contrary, its a serious
global issue all the human beings are facing with. Unfortunately,
though many nations have realized the seriousness of terrorism, the
horrible event still took place all over the world constantly without the
indication to cease.
Terrorist attacks in KenyaNorwayMumbai, IndiaRussia airport
and so on had attracted many the attention of people to the damage
of economy and people themselves. The destruction is always
tremendous and influential. Terrorist activities are becoming more and
more complicated and international throughout the world. Religious
extremist organizations utilized internet to promote terrorism and
create a number of destructive activities. In addition, it is related to
drug offences and other multiple kinds of crime.
Over the twelve years, nations associate to strengthen
cooperation by means of exchange the information and establish
complete system to warn the distress. These actions make the goal of
counter-terrorism seems receive a nice outcome.
4. Instance of terrorist attack

On 11/26, 2008, Armed terrorists opened fire at eight different
sites in a coordinated attack in Bombay. They attacked locations
including a train station, a police station, a hospital, hotels and
restaurants. Some of them were said to arrive in the city in advanced.
A witness said that the attacker received the order to shoot anyone
who was moving. They even took hostages and high military grade
explosiver were found nearby. The attack lasted for approximately 60
hours. Over 150 people were murdered, and more than 300 people
were injured.
The attack was much more severe and flagrant in every aspects
than before in Bombay. For starters, the plan was deliberate, and the
attack was more brutal. They owned high-quality equipment and were
well-trained. The continuous explosion, grabbing hostages, and armed
attacks happened simultaneously. It was quite a complicated action
that was uncommon. Moreover, foreigners were first attacked in this
action. Before, terrorists attack used to take place in the train
stations, temples, and markets where the local people gathered. A
terrorist was captured alive and later confessed that the action was
conducted with the support of Pakistans ISI.
Indians criticized their political leaders after the action, indicating

that they had to be responsible for their ineptness. It seemed that the
India government didnt tackle the problem well.
Another incident in Russia also is an instance of terrorism attack.

From September 1st to 3rd in Beslan, Russia, over 1100 people were
captured as hostages and ended up dying more than 380 people. On
September 1st was the start of the school year when the children
accompanied with their parents as well as the teachers attended the
ceremony hosted by the school. A group of terrorists compelled them
to gather in the gymnasium to be their hostages. After some people
died, wounded and escaped, a security cordon was soon established
around the school, and later decided to negotiate with them on
account of the explosive device around the scene and the threat from
the attackers. On the next day, the negotiation seemed to fail, and
the attackers forbad neither drinking nor eating, and the dead bodies
couldnt be removed. With the situation getting worse, they
eventually opened fire on the third day, which was a controversial
action to most people concerning about this incident. With the
constructions destroyed, the hostages began to flee. Nevertheless, a
number of people were killed during the process of their escape. The
Russia government was blamed for not making efforts to negotiating
with the attackers and then starting their counter-attack in haste. The
later investigation indicated that their demand was to have the
recognition of the independence of Chechnya at the UN and
withdrawal of Russian troops. Unlike the terrorists, the governments
were not well-prepared. We all have to recognize that the terrorists
spend a great deal of time making a plan to launch an attack, and
every detail is well-considered. They have strong faith that is not easy
to be swayed, and do many efforts to make the attack success. Dont
need to mention, such things are happening globally. Not even in Arab
countries, and United States of America isnt the only target.
After reading the instances of the terrorist attack, we can have

more understanding about terrorism. Terrorist attack incidents take
place worldwide, and each region has different factors leading to
those tragedies, which were coped with in distinct ways.
Nevertheless, there must be some collective things among all the
incidents, which may help us figure out potential plans to confront
with the terrorism. We must formulate some security strategies to
prevent the assault from happening, which may save more innocent
people's lives. In addition, we must have appropriate responses to the
attack. We have to protect our people and keep them from the terror
of attack.

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Study Guide

3. The policy to against terrorism

4. Instance of terrorist attack

Indians criticized their political leaders after the action, indicating

Another incident in Russia also is an instance of terrorism attack.

After reading the instances of the terrorist attack, we can have

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