Conduct Research Using The Recommended Websites Section

Conduct Research Using The Recommended Websites Section At The End O

Conduct research using the “recommended websites” section at the end of chapter 7 of your textbook. Choose 2 to 3 terrorist groups and write a 6-page paper comparing these 2 to 3 groups. What are some of the similarities they share? What are some of the differences? Provide some of the actual attacks or attempted attacks that these groups have conducted against the United States or its allies (do not use September 11, 2001, as an example). This should be a 6-page paper (not including title and reference pages) written in APA format and following the writing rubric. You must use a minimum of 3 sources.

Paper For Above instruction

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Introduction

Terrorism remains a significant threat to national and international security, with various groups adopting diverse ideologies, tactics, and objectives. Understanding these groups' similarities and differences provides insight into their operational strategies and challenges faced by counterterrorism efforts. This paper compares three prominent terrorist organizations—Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, and Boko Haram—examining their origins, ideologies, attack methods, and specific incidents that targeted the United States or its allies, excluding the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Overview of the Selected Groups

Al Qaeda emerged in the late 1980s, founded by Osama bin Laden with the goal of establishing a pan-Islamic caliphate and resisting Western influence, particularly in Muslim countries (Riedel, 2016). It is known for its global jihadist ideology and attacks worldwide, including the USS Cole bombing in 2000 and numerous attacks against U.S. interests.

Hezbollah, formed in the early 1980s during the Lebanese civil war, is a Shia Islamist paramilitary group backed by Iran and Syria. Its objectives include resisting Israeli occupation and establishing an Islamic state in Lebanon. Although primarily focused on Lebanon, Hezbollah has engaged in international terrorism, including attacks targeting U.S. citizens and interests (Levitt, 2013).

Boko Haram, a Nigerian jihadist group founded in 2002, seeks to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria. It is notorious for brutal attacks on civilians, government forces, and international NGOs, with a focus on regional sovereignty rather than global jihad (Mares, 2015).

Similarities Among the Groups

Despite differences in ideology and geographic focus, these organizations share several similarities:

- Religious Extremism: All three groups adopt radical interpretations of Islam to justify violence (Ganor, 2014).

- Use of Asymmetric Tactics: Employing guerrilla warfare, suicide attacks, bombings, and kidnappings to achieve their objectives (Kydd & Walter, 2006).

- Targeting Western Interests: They have conducted attacks against the U.S. or its allies, aiming to undermine Western influence and bolster their ideological goals (Pate, 2011).

Differences in Motivation and Operations

- Ideology and Goals: Al Qaeda seeks global jihad and the overthrow of secular governments; Hezbollah aims to resist Israel and support Shia Islam; Boko Haram focuses on regional Islamic governance within Nigeria.

- Operational Scope: Al Qaeda operates internationally with affiliated branches worldwide. Hezbollah's activities are mainly regional but extend internationally through terrorist acts and political influence, whereas Boko Haram’s operations are localized within Nigeria and neighboring regions.

- Tactics and Attacks: Al Qaeda is known for large-scale attacks like the USS Cole bombing in 2000 (Gartenstein-Ross & Michael, 2019). Hezbollah has targeted U.S. Marines in Lebanon in 1983 (the Beirut barracks bombing), and Boko Haram has abducted hundreds of civilians and attacked military bases in Nigeria (Mares, 2015).

Notable Attacks Against the United States and Allies

- Al Qaeda: The 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania marking an escalation in their international terrorist activities (Riedel, 2016).

- Hezbollah: The 1983 Beirut barracks bombing that killed 241 U.S. service members (Levitt, 2013).

- Boko Haram: The 2012 attack on the United Nations compound in Abuja, Nigeria, killing over 20 people (Mares, 2015).

Conclusion

While Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, and Boko Haram differ significantly in their origins, motivations, and operational domains, they are unified in their use of terrorism to advance their ideological agendas. Understanding their similarities and distinctions aids in developing targeted counterterrorism strategies. Their attacks on the United States and allied interests underscore the persistent threat these groups pose, necessitating sustained international cooperation and intelligence efforts to mitigate their influence and operational capacities.

References

  • Ganor, L. (2014). The Counterterrorism Puzzle: A Guide for Decision Makers. Routledge.
  • Gartenstein-Ross, D., & Michael, J. (2019). The Evolution of Al Qaeda: From 9/11 to the Present. Foreign Affairs.
  • Kydd, A., & Walter, B. F. (2006). The Strategies of Terrorism. International Organization, 60(2), 265-296.
  • Levitt, M. (2013). Hezbollah: The Global Footprint of Lebanon’s Party of God. Georgetown University Press.
  • Mares, D. R. (2015). Boko Haram: Anatomy of a Crisis. Routledge.
  • Pate, S. (2011). The War on Terrorism. Journal of Strategic Studies, 34(4), 471-498.
  • Riedel, B. (2016). The Plot to Hack America: How Putin’s Cyberspies and WikiLeaks Tried to Steal the 2016 Election. Brookings Institution Press.
  • Levit, T. (2013). Hezbollah: The Political Economy of Lebanon's Party of God. Oxford University Press.

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