Religion and Terrorism

trifle of terrorist act has long plagued the existence of peace and security in society, where secular groups make water resorted to personnel against non-combatant tar stick outs in launch to influence the policies of a g everyplacenment activityal or nongovernmental organic rectitude. The opinion of act of terrorist act, whilst elusive and vague in definition has been categorise into dissimilar marks of act of act of terrorist act, these being heterodox, state-sponsored, and ghostlike terrorist act to name a few.This melodic theme go out argue that the more or less serious form of terrorism is ghostly terrorism. To salve an effective argument this makeup has been divided into three sections the first ordain argue that the approximately spartan form of terrorism is ghostly terrorism by examining what it is, how it is dangerous, and why it is more dangerous than other forms of terrorism.Secondly, this paper go forth argue that the most dangerous advoc ator of phantasmal terrorism is the organisation of the Taliban, to support this claim an analysis of the group bequeath be given, including minimize training, information on the Talibans policies and recent activities, and the threat this groups poses on the external union. Lastly, this paper give analyse and critique the current governmental policies combating terrorism, and will then provide policy recommendations which could be utilize by governments, militaries or NGOs.The moreoverification for this paper is simply that the validation of religious terrorism as the most dangerous form of terrorism will deed over for effective supranationalistic coordination towards combating terrorism. Various parameters of study were encountered in the process of this paper as there is such(prenominal) contention on which is the most dangerous form of terrorism, which gave way to biased opinions and mis collaring quotations regarding factual information on different organisations implementing terrorist tactics, to wit the Taliban.Although the concept of terrorism has no definition which is univers in ally paird upon, the notion of religious terrorism has been defined by Bruce Hoffman (1999), where religious terrorism must put on three chemical elements the perpetrators must economic consumption religious scripture to justify their baseless acts or gains recruits clerical figures must be involved in leadership roles and apocalyptic images of destruction are seen by the perpetrators as necessary.Religious terrorism has arguably been an ongoing occurrence in contentious religious areas for centuries, where religious groups have resorted to violence against non-combatants in disposition to combat real or perceived threats to their own political theory (Alexander, 1994). repugn on the original terrorist aside, terrorism is quite a modern concept stemming from the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror prompted by Maxmi fraudn Robespierre who target ed the enemies of liberty randomly in the political theory of the greater good (Cooper, 2004).Religious terrorism is thought to be caused by the misinterpretation (or fundamentalist belief) of religious scripture, however the belief in religious scripture is not the problem it is yet when these fundamentalist individuals act on their beliefs through hot means and justify their accomplishments using religious scripture that we encounter the potential threat of terrorist tactics (Mendelsohn, 2009). Furthermore, this fundamentalist behavior is only worsened when a threat to the religious ideology is perceived (Mendelsohn, 2009).Religious terrorism is thinkably widespread throughout the Middle East, and South eastward Asia, predictably this whitethorn be due to the religious zeal in these regions (Alexander, 1994). A linked Nations field ( grand, 2010) showed that 76% of all casualties (in the first six months) in Afghanistan and Pakistan were attri thated to the actions of the Taliban and their associate organisations, showing the danger associated with religious terrorism.Although religious terrorism has change by reversal the predominant model for political violence in the modern globe (Martin, p 171, 2010) it is still not the only medium for extremist violence, as nationalism and ideology still remain strong motivators for radical violence (Martin, 2010). However, religious terrorism still remains a more dangerous form of terrorism when compared to other forms, such as state-sponsored or dissident terrorism. The factors which make this form of terrorism dangerous is the potentially apocalyptic ideology of religion, and furthermore the promise of an ethereal paradise awaiting those who follow this faith completely.This factor seems to provide a motive arguably more influential towards violent behaviour then other forms of terrorism. Bruce Hoffman (p 92, 1998) stated that it is perhaps not strike that religion should become a far more popular motiva tion for terrorism in the post-Cold War era as old ideologies lie discredited by the collapse of the Soviet Union and communist ideology, part the promise of munificent benefits from the liberal-democratic, capitalist state fails to materialise in numerous countries throughout the institution. A stronger motivation for terrorism signifies that more violent activity, and at a higher requency, is to be expected from religious terrorism than state-sponsored or dissident terrorism. In recent times, the oftenness, scale of violence, and global come to of religious terrorism has been increase, while at the same time a strike in secular, non-religious terrorism has been occurring (Martin, 2010). The fact that religious terrorism provides a stronger motivation is more widespread, causes more casualties than any other form of terrorism, and is increasing in frequency, scale of violence, and global reach, is reason enough to argue that religious terrorism is the most dangerous form of t errorism.Evidence of religious terrorism may be seen in the various violates conducted on non-combatants throughout 2011. For example, on the thirteenth of May 2011, two suicide bombers were responsible for 80 deaths in Shabqadar, Pakistan, the attacks were claimed by the Taliban and were labelled a response to the death of Osama salt away Laden on the 3rd of May 2011 (The Guardian, 13/5/11). Another example may be seen in the terrorist attacks in Somalia on the 4th of October 2011, claiming over 70 lives and injuring many more, the Islamic militant terrorist group Al-Shabaab soon claimed responsibility for the attack.The attacks categorised as religious terrorism predominately occur throughout the Middle-East and Southeast Asia, with the most contentious areas being Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India (Mendelsohn, 2009). To examine Pakistan individually, this region has become a trouble-spot for terrorism resulting in a largely contentious area. The terrorism occurring in Pakistan is predominately religious, resulting in over 350000 Pakistani civils killed as of 2010 ( raw(a) York Review of Books, 2011).Pakistan has a long narrative involving religious conflict, and although many attempts have been made by the Pakistani government to resolve these conflicts, there is no sign of the conflict coming to an end. The fact that Pakistan is not an overly wealthy nation has contributed to the effectiveness of religious terrorist recruiting, as when individuals have nothing to lose they invest in religious ideology (Mendelsohn, 2009). Although there are many religiously based terrorist organisations, the Taliban is arguably the most dangerous proponent of religious terrorism.It is important to understand the origins, policies, methods, and other information on the organisation before effective policies can be implemented to combat the Talibans terrorist tactics. The Taliban is an Islamist militant organisation which has had rule of the majority of Afghanistan from phratry 1996, however the Taliban-formed state called the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan only gained political recognition as a state from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE (Mockaitis, 2007).However, the attacks on the ground forces on the eleventh of kinsfolk 2001 saw the Taliban overthrown during the conflict in Afghanistan. The Taliban regrouped and drafted an insurgency movement to support the newly formed Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and to achieve their motives the use of second and terrorist tactics were applied (Mockaitis, 2007). Whilst in power the Taliban enforced an extremely unmitigated interpretation of their holy scripture, becoming notorious in the international community for the poor treatment of women (Mockaitis, 2007).This fundamental following of Holy Scripture and Islam law has seen the Taliban use Holy Scripture to justify their violent actions. Whilst not much is known about the leader of the Taliban, Mohammed Omar, a 25 million clam reward has been issued by the US department of defence for his capture. The policies of the Taliban were initially to demilitarise Afghanistan, end the lawlessness and heavily enforce the Islamic or shariah law law on the entirety of Afghanistan (Mendelsohn, 2009).The Taliban have been relatively successful in bringing law and roll to around 85% of the country in their control, mainly by disarming or conscripting the tribes of Afghanistan (Mockaitis, 2007). Some of the Talibans strict policies and unyielding nature on issues such as the treatment of Osama bin Laden have isolated them internationally resulting in non-recognition by the joined Nations regarding their legitimacy, and the imposition of political sanctions aimed at sweeping the Taliban any funding or avail (Mendelsohn, 2009).As of yet, the Taliban have failed to develop any plan or policy to animise the state of Afghanistan should they re murder political control. The methods or tactics utilised by Taliban forces has predominatel y been a guerrilla struggle against Western forces, however the use of terrorism has brought much notoriety to the organisation itself. However the question of funding is important, how does the Taliban uplift its funding? Twelve percent of Afghanistan lives off the opium trade, which constitutes 30 percent of its primitive domestic product (Schmidt, 2010).Whilst the Taliban gain finance through the sale of opium and poppy, the decrease in production of poppy would not work against the Taliban, through simple political economy this organisation is able to manipulate opium prices which have seen a downward lock over the past 5 years due to an over-supply of poppy and opium (Schmidt, 2010). Estimations show that the Taliban has stockpiled over eight thousand tonnes of opium in the event poppy production is eradicated by the US government.However the eradication of poppy in Afghanistan would for a short term aid the Taliban as prices would increase exponentially in the face of low s upplies, simple economics being exploited by the Taliban (Schmidt, 2010), (UN World Drug Report, 2009). A report given in 2006 analysing the Taliban likened the organisation to a starfish (decentralised organisation) as fence to a spider organisation (centralised) (Brafman, Beckstrom, 2006). The spider and the starfish both come forth to have a number of legs coming out of one body, but that is where the similarity ends.In the case of the spider, what you see is a clear heads head and a legs leg. However, a starfish is only when different from a spider because the head is not even in charge of anything. In fact, a starfish does not even have a head. If a starfish is cut in half, it does not die. Instead, what you get are two starfish. The long-armed Linckia starfish can even replicate itself from just one piece of an arm. Unlike the spider, having no brain to give the approbative on anything, the starfish functions as a decentralized network. (Schmidt, p 72, 2010). A table fro m this report gives a description of the comparison (See below) The events which occurred on the eighth of August 1998 are evidence to show the danger and lethality of the Taliban and its policies. On the twenty- four-spotth of May 1997 the Taliban occupied the northern town of Mazar-i-Sharif and on the 8th of August 1998 were responsible for an attack which killed over 8000 people of different nationalities including Uzbekistani, and Shiite Iranian (Kelling, Saludin, Von-Feigenblatt, Alis, Shuib, 2010).In this attack the Taliban also attacked the consulate of Iran killing 10 Iranian diplomats, which incidentally generated Irans antonym on the political legitimacy of the Taliban (Kelling, Saludin, Von-Feigenblatt, Alis, Shuib, 2010). The Taliban has taken responsibility for countless attacks on both combatant and non-combatant targets, with no signs of a decrease in the frequency of attacks the Taliban is an extremely dangerous advocate of religious terrorism.The failure of allied forces to punish the Taliban as of yet has left Afghanistan coloured with destruction, death and poverty. An article in the International Journal of Interdisciplinary kindly Sciences accused the US of ignoring the try for and prospect of Afghanistan, by being oblivious and promoting victory over the Taliban in order to justify the war on Afghanistan (Kelling, Saludin, Von-Feigenblatt, Alis, Shuib, 2010).The US policy to use army power against the Taliban and other terror organisations has made it more vexed to find a conclusive radical to the violence in Afghanistan to boot the weakness of the United States new government in Afghanistan failed to bring stableness and hence enhanced the terrorism from the Taliban (Kelling, Saludin, Von-Feigenblatt, Alis, Shuib, 2010). The question left is how we stop the terrorism?Through government, military and NGO policy ontogenesis, political, steering, pecuniary and administrative mechanisms staged to reach explicit goals. This paper w ill therefore examine various responses to terrorism, and the policies put in place by major international actors. by and by September 2001, the penis of the protective cover Council (UN) adopted a set of citywide measures to combat terrorism they did so under Chapter 7 of the UN charter, thereby making all decisions compulsory for all members (Boulden, Weiss, 2004).Two heroisms were particularly important, these being closedown 1368 of September 12, which legitimised all military action against a terrorist organisation and Resolution 1373 of September 28 2001 which broadened the scope of international responses (Boulden, Weiss, 2004). Resolution 1373 stated that all states should prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism, as well as handle the willful provision or collection of funds for such acts.The take of this resolution was to minimize the financing of terrorism and to encourage member states to deny safe haven to known terrorists, assist states in need of anti-t errorism measures, and to deepen the exchange of information regarding terrorist activity in other words this resolution deeply encouraged international cooperation in combating terrorism. While the resolve of the Security Council (UN) is to be commended, four problems are still to be addressed.First, although member states of the UN agree on the importance of combating terrorism, member states continue to have different views on the precise nature of these threats, and different opinions on the catch responses to these threats (Boulden, Weiss, 2004). The US should take responsibility and forge a consensus on the nature of the terrorist threat and what an appropriate response would be.If the US takes consideration of other states and develops a genuine international response bm, then this should convince other states that the US is not only concerned for itself but for the international community as a whole (Boulden, Weiss, 2004). Secondly, the long term implications for the Secu rity Councils resolution regarding the legitimization of force against terrorist organizations are problematic. Permission to use military force without a proper criteria for reason has been seen as handing a blank check to the USA.Although the US argues preemptive action and covert military action is necessary to combat terrorism, the absence of an international agreement on a definition for terrorism can lead to the possibility of abuse of this blank check (Boulden, Weiss, 2004). To solve this issue, the UN should engage member states in a discussion to answer the important questions, when are terrorist acts the combining weight of armed attacks? , Do imminent threats of attack always justify a military response? (Boulden, Weiss, 2004).Third, the issue of finance always seems to plague attempts at combating terrorism. The implementation of the UNs counterterrorist measures will therefore continue to be uncontrollable unless financial assonance is given by member states. A solut ion to this problem would be the investment of funds into the Counter-terrorism committee (CTC), this committee would thereby invest funding into state counter terrorism agencies who lack the financial capacity to effectively fight terrorism (Boulden, Weiss, 2004).Fourth, the war against terrorism has been labeled as the long war, and it is true that the effort against terrorism will take time and finance, however there must also be an effort against the determine causes of terrorism poverty, disease, social disorder, unstable governments, etc (Boulden, Weiss, 2004). The UN has a hopeful track record when dealing with these problems, therefore the investment into social development programs will allow for significant advancements in the effort against terrorism (Boulden, Weiss, 2004).This paper will now offer a list of policy recommendations. In order to combat terrorism effectively, Thomas Mockaitis (2007) suggests there should be elements of four broad tasks present. 1. Anti-terr orism to protect military forces, installations and personnel and to assist member nataions in protecting their citizens and infrastructure from terrorist attack. 2. Consequence management to aide member states in mitigating the effects of an actual terrorist attack. 3. Counterterrorism to take offensive action against terrorist organizations, personnel and facilities. 4.Military cooperation with civilian institutions, government and private, to defend against terrorism. Evidently this system of counter-terrorism has been drafted as a military doctrine labeled the NATO Concept, which provides an excellent framework for organizing an effective response against terrorism (Mockaitis, 2007). Below is a chart which illustrates the three core measures of combating terrorism. Consequence management refers to the measures taken by local, state, and national departments to prepare for and if necessary respond to a terrorist attack (Mockaitis, 2007). Counterterrorism and Antiterrorism is the offensive military enforcement of operations against terrorists (organisations, networks, and individuals), and the economic, social, and diplomatic measures to combat the root causes of terrorism (poverty, civil unrest, etc) (Mockaitis, 2007). All three tasks require effective cooperation and bank on the intelligence which lies at the centre of the three and helps organise the effort (Mockaitis, 2007). This paper has argued that the most dangerous form of terrorism is religious terrorism.In order to deliver an effective argument, this paper was divided into three sections first, it was argued that religious terrorism is the most dangerous form of terrorism by examining defining it, examining how it is dangerous, and discussing why it is more dangerous than other forms of terrorism. Secondly, this paper argued that the most dangerous proponent of terrorism is the organisation of the Taliban, supporting this claim was an analysis of the group, giving background information, informat ion on the Talibans policies and recent activities, and the threat this organisation poses on the international community.Lastly this paper analysed and critiqued the anti-terrorism policy of the UN, and provided policy recommendations for all member states to implement, namely the policies currently implemented by NATO forces. This paper was written in order to legitimise religious terrorism as the most dangerous form of terrorism, thereby allowing for more effective international cooperation towards combating terrorism. This paper can therefore conclude that the most dangerous form of terrorism is Religious Terrorism. References Alexander, Y. (1994).Middle east terrorism Current Threats and Future Prospects. International library of Terrorism. England Dartmouth Publishing Co. 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