NCJ Number
58144
Journal
Military Review Volume: 57 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY 1977) Pages: 3-15
Date Published
1977
Length
13 pages
Annotation
VARIOUS TYPES OF CONTEMPORARY TERRORISM ARE DISCUSSED; TERRORIST INCIDENTS TRENDS ARE HIGHLIGHTED, AND COUNTERMEASURES WHICH ARE BEING DEVELOPED TO CONFRONT IT ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
CONTEMPORARY TERRORISM HAS UNDERGONE THREE TRANSITIONS IN ITS MIGRATION TO INDUSTRIALIZED SOCIETIES. IT NOW INVOLVES URBAN GUERRILLA WARFARE, TRANSNATIONAL TERRORISM, AND INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM. IT IS DEFINED TO INCLUDE ALMOST ALL ILLEGAL ACTS OF VIOLENCE COMMITTED FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES BY CLANDESTINE GROUPS, AND POSES A REAL THREAT TO SOCIETY. COUNTERMEASURES AND RESPONSES HAVE ALREADY WORKED SUCCESSFULLY IN SOME CASES; THE U.S. POLICY OF NO DEALS AND THE RESULTING DECLINE IN SKYJACKING IS A GOOD EXAMPLE. MUTUAL COOPERATION AMONG NATIONS IN DEALING WITH TERRORISM IS ALSO INCREASING. THE FIRST OF THREE DISCERNIBLE TYPES OF TERRORISM TODAY INVOLVES URBAN GUERRILLA WARFARE. TECHNOLOGICAL SUPERIORITY OF ARMED AND SECURITY FORCES HAS BEEN A GREAT IMPETUS FOR THIS SHIFT TO URBAN AREAS. INCIDENTS IN URUGUAY, BOLIVIA, AND CHILE ARE EXAMPLES OF URBAN TERRORISM, AND REPRESENT A VIOLENT CHALLENGE TO THE LEGITIMACY OF THE GOVERNMENT IN POWER. TRANSNATIONAL TERRORISM, LIKE OTHER FORMS OF TERRORISM, IS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED, BUT TRANSCENDS NATIONAL BOUNDARIES; THE JAPANESE RED ARMY'S ATTACK ON LOD AIRPORT IN 1972 IS AN EXAMPLE. FINALLY, INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM INVOLVES GREAT DAMAGE DONE BY FEW PEOPLE; NO NOW KNOWNS WHO IS ACTUALLY RESPONSIBLE UNTIL SOME ORGANIZATION TAKES CREDIT FOR THE OPERATION. MASS CASUALTY SITUATIONS OFTEN RESULT. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT A SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE AGAINST TERRORISM REQUIRES THAT GOVERNMENT TAKE DECISIVE ACTION WITH THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE CITIZENRY TO NEUTRALIZE AND DESTROY TERRORIST GROUPS. THESE ACTIONS, COMBINED WITH AND REINFORCED BY THE RULE OF LAW, OFFER THE BEST CHANCE FOR ELIMINATING THE TERRORIST THREAT. REFERENCE FOOTNOTES AND GRAPHS INCLUDED. (LWM)