NCJ Number
56211
Date Published
1979
Length
26 pages
Annotation
THE DYNAMICS OF URBAN TERRORISM ARE DISCUSSED IN TERMS OF URBANIZATION'S ROLE IN SUPPLYING THE GUERRILLA RECRUITS, TARGETS, ANONYMITY, MEDIA COVERAGE, AND LOGISTICAL NEEDS A SUCCESSFUL TERROR CAMPAIGN DEMANDS.
Abstract
THE URBAN CENTERS OF A TARGET NATION ARE PARTICULARLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL AND STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS OF REPRESSIVE AND INSURGENT TERRORISTS. IN ADDITION TO SUPPLYING A CONCENTRATION OF THE YOUNG, MIDDLECLASS INTELLECTUALS THOUGHT TO MAKE UP THE RANK-AND-FILE OF MOST TERROR GROUPS, A CITY ENVIRONMENT PERMITS COMBATANTS TO LIVE SEPARATELY AND FIGHT TOGETHER AND ALSO TO DISPERSE AND REASSEMBLE AT PREARRANGED TIMES AND PLACES WITH LITTLE DIFFICULTY. THE MATERIAL NECESSITIES--ARMS, EXPLOSIVES, MEDICAL SUPPLIES--ARE ALSO READILY AVAILABLE IN AN URBAN SETTING, AS ARE A MYRIAD OF POSSIBLE TARGETS AND SOURCES OF REVENUE. FUNDS TO SUSTAIN ACTIVISTS AND THEIR OPERATIONS MAY BE EASILY OBTAINED, EITHER BY LEGAL OR EXTRALEGAL MEANS, INCLUDING KIDNAPPING, BANK ROBBERY, USE OF STOLEN CREDIT CARDS OR CHECKS, OR THROUGH OUTRIGHT LOANS OR CASUAL LABOR. TERRORISTS HAVE ALSO CAPITALIZED ON THE MODERN LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS COMMON TO MOST URBAN CENTERS. STRATEGICALLY, URBAN AREAS ALLOW TERRORISTS TO PICK AND CHOOSE POSSIBLE TARGETS OR VICTIMS, TO GARNER MORE COMPLETE MEDIA ATTENTION, AND TO BETTER ESCAPE INJURY OR CAPTURE DUE TO THEIR ABILITY TO FADE INTO THE CROWD AND THE INABILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT TO LAUNCH A COMPREHENSIVE MILITARY ACTION AGAINST TERRORISTS WITHOUT JEOPARDIZING THE CITIZENRY. BOMBINGS AND KIDNAPPING ARE THE FAVORED ACTIONS OF URBAN TERRORISTS--BOMBINGS BECAUSE OF THE FEAR POTENTIAL AND KIDNAPPING BECAUSE IT IS EASILY EXECUTED AND OFTEN FINANCIALLY LUCRATIVE. COMMON AND EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT RESPONSES TO URBAN TERRORISM HAVE BEEN SUCH DRACONIAN COUNTERMEASURES AS DEATH SQUADS AND NEAR-BRUTAL AMBUSHES OF SUSPECTED TERRORIST HIDEOUTS. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (KBL)