Abstract This paper quotes two of Umberto Ecos' non-fiction works on semiotics and his well-known fiction work, "In the Name of the Rose," as a reference to his use of semiotics as metaphorical and pluralistic tools. The paper includes quotes from both the fiction and non-fiction works. The paper uses one book by Christina La Rocca as an extra historic reference with regards to monastic life and miscellaneous facts about medieval Italy.
From the Paper "A common theme in literature and a universal, human obsession is the thin line that exists between honesty and deception, illusion and truth. There is a certain author who is noted for his fiction and non-fiction work on the subject, Umberto Eco. He often uses artistic examples, such as art and literature, to explain and discuss how we use words, mannerisms and other signals as a culture to communicate. According to Eco, the concepts of honesty and fallacy are much more multifaceted then simply being truthful or telling a lie. They are also social constructs that influence our language, behavior and other means of communication."
Abstract This paper analyzes America's position regarding global terror and questions whether U.S. wars foster worldwide hatred of Americans. The writer of this paper contends that the ongoing U.S. war on terrorism is misguided and can only promise more terrorism as a result. This paper examines the fundamentals of terrorism, which need to be understood as a means of waging warfare, usually adopted by those who possess significant strategic and militaristic shortcomings. This paper details President Bush's stance on terrorism, which became clear at the September 2002 national debate. In his speech, of which various portions of the text are cited in this paper, Bush laid out what he believed to be the primary function of the U.S. government. While many people have applauded Bush's active policy against terrorism and supported his reasoning behind the war in Iraq, there are those, like former president Jimmy Carter who feel differently. This paper touches on Carter's 2002 speech in which the former presidents brought up a number of problems he had with the movement towards Iraq. This paper also discusses the manner in which the Bush administration has chosen a particular perspective, that is intended to justify the employment of the U.S. military as a tool in rooting out terrorism.
From the Paper "Not everyone has been as enchanted by Bush's war on terrorism as Charles Colson. Jimmy Carter, in his speech to the Nobel committee in December of 2002 brought up a number of the problems he sees with the movement towards Iraq as an aspect of the war on terrorism. He quotes Ralph Bunche as having said, "To suggest that war can prevent war is a base play on words and a despicable form of warmongering." A more concrete objection is the continued unilateral actions of the United States under the Bush regime. He states, "If we accept the premise that the United Nations is the best avenue for maintenance of peace, then the carefully considered decisions of the United Nations Security Council must be enforced." This is a criticism of Bush's continued assertion that the United States needs to continue working through the United Nations, while simultaneously operating without its support."
Tags: u.s., america, war, terror, terrorism, iraq, jimmy, carter, government, political, military
Abstract This paper attempts to take an even-handed approach to understanding international terrorism. The author presents three examples of terrorism and shows why an organization would resort to terrorist activities. The types of terrorism discussed by the paper include ideological terrorism, terrorism for the liberation of an oppressed minority and state sponsored terrorism. The author concludes that international terrorism is motivated by an organization's inability to use traditional, accepted, and legitimate channels of activity to accomplish the political, ideological, or religious goals of the group.
From the Paper "An example of ideological terrorism, the Baader-Meinhof group in Germany became a leading left wing group in West Germany. As West Germany was dominated by United States notions of democracy, the left wing Red Army Faction was thus going against the grain of society. Described by government forces as a terrorist group, it saw itself a military group who was forced to rely on urban guerilla tactics to achieve their aim. The roots of the organization were those who were originally students, but the opposition grew as Communism was outlawed and many ex-Nazi right-wingers came to assume political office. This growing threat of right wing influences in the government motivated the youth as did a series of inciting events including a death of a student, shot by a member of the military. The rising tension led to a strong left opposition and a right counter-response which led to the formation of the Red Army Faction. After training with the PLO, the Red Army Faction returned to stop the urban imperialistic course of Germany instigating a series of bank robberies and arson attacks. The actions of the Red Army faction culminated in the German Autumn in 1977 in which there were substantial amounts of deaths, an important hi-jacking with Arab ties, and the ultimately resulted in the death of many of the key members of the Baader-Meinhof Group. This time was a time of fear among Germans after World War II. The objectives were never clear, but the group was in opposition to the right wing tendencies of West German and was in support of a more leftist government. Thus it was an ideological war being fought that resulted in failure as there was fear, but not substantial gains made by the Red Army Faction. "
Abstract This paper addresses the problem in creating a comprehensive definition of terrorism, noting that defining terrorism more clearly is a beginning point for further discussion. How the term is defined can determine what solutions are offered. International terrorism creates particular problems because what is seen as terrorism in one context or by one particular observer may not be seen that way by another.
From the Paper "Terrorism is a label for various forms of political violence directed at a civilian population by a non-military group trying to spread terror in order to force some political end. Americans more and more use the term as short-hand for attacks by Muslim groups, but terrorism around the world may have nothing to do with a specific religious group or political structure at all. The target of terrorism has often been the West, but terrorism can be directed at any regime that some group wants to influence. The approach taken is to frighten the populace in order to force the government to capitulate to some demand, even to the extent of demanding a complete change not merely of leadership but of the very form of government and of political ideology."
Abstract This essay deals with the topic of terrorism, with focus on the events which occurred on September 11th. The author looks at topics such as the United States' role in the war on terror, the Palestinian perspectives as well as the impacts of such terror on the world. Includes various world leaders' viewpoints on the terror attacks.
From the Paper "Terrorism is a topic that has many different viewpoints. One group's actions can be considered a terrorist act to some while others perceive it as a fight for freedom. Terrorism has become a major world issue that has affected all nations in light of the September 11 attacks. To deal with such a broad issue, many opinions must be heard in order to have any chance at resolving the problems that terrorism causes us to face. This report investigates the different perceptions and views that world leaders, ordinary citizens, as well as the various militant groups have on this controversial subject. "
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the topic of terrorism. Specifically, it defines terrorism, how it occurs, what happens when it occurs, and the results of terrorism. In the discussion of terrorism, the author uses various examples of terror and terroristic acts.
From the Paper "Terrorism has a long and varied history, and political murder occurs as far back as the Bible. "The assassination of individuals has its origins in the prehistory of modern terrorism, but it is of course not quite the same. Historical terrorism almost always involves more than a single assassin and the carrying out of more than one operation" (Laqueur 10). Historically, groups have also engaged in terrorism since at least Biblical times. The "sicari," were an extreme group of Jews active after the Roman occupation of Palestine, who gave us the word "zealot." Secret terrorist societies have also existed in China and India since before recorded time. Clearly, terrorism is not a modern invention. It has existed for thousands of years, it has become more prevalent in modern times because terrorists have access to much more modern weapons, and can wreak extensive havoc, leaving their mark on thousands rather than just a few."
Abstract The writer of this paper details the large gap between what terrorists can do and how legitimate armies respond to terrorist actions. The writer contends and explains why the main goal of terrorist organizations are to destroy fighting units and lower the morale of citizens around the world. This paper examines the difference between terror and crime while citing the importance of labeling terrorism as warfare. This paper details the manner in which armies have had to alter their operations when dealing with terrorist organizations. The writer illustrates the emergence of terrorism which grew with the end of WWII. The writer delves into the issue of North Korea, which could be labeled as a terrorist nation, due to its nuclear capability. This paper also details the various offensive tactics available to the U.S army to combat terror, by way of technology and weapons. One useful vehicle in combating terror is the UCAV, Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle. This vehicle is essentially a fighter and bomber drone, that costs less to manufacture than manned fighters. Another example of warfare equipment is the Land Warrior, which is a digital system for infantrymen that combines a portable computer, GPS location finding equipment, laser range finder and communications network access.
Table of Contents:
The Modern Terrorist War
The Best Offense is a Good Offense
Conclusion
Endnotes
Works Cited
From the Paper "While the Vietnam war was an example to the American people, if not also the military, of how not to conduct a war in the age of terrorism, the Gulf War "was a supreme example of the power of superior technology. It was indeed the first war where, as one scholar puts it, 'brilliant munitions arrived'." But it was not a complete exercise in total war. It still pitted large masses of men and heavy munitions against each other on open ground. It looked much like a World War II battle, except for the equipment. Shortly after it, one critic noted, "America's fighting forces are still organized and armed to fight hard, fierce battles from fixed bases against an enemy that no longer really exists." The current war in the same region is proving that insight to be more accurate than not. In 2001, immediately after the terrorist attacks on New York City, Hinkle wrote that the nature of foreign threats was changing."
Tags:terror, war, north, korea, history, vietnam, world, war, two, combat, military
This in-depth paper analyzes the changing role of law enforcement administrators and agencies around the world in the face increasing global terrorism.
Abstract This well-researched paper opens with a comprehensive and historic look into both the American and British law enforcement agencies. The writer of this paper traces the origins of the British Sheriff's office back to the Norman Conquest which took place in 1066. This paper delves into the significant increase of international terrorism while focusing on the effectiveness of various law enforcement agencies in America and around the world in combating this growing problem. This paper discusses the views and opinions of several historians regarding the increase and decrease of crime and terror from the medieval times and up to the present. The writer of this paper examines specific historic events and their resulting impact on global terrorism including the fall of the Soviet Union, the Cold War and the 9/11 terror attacks. This paper analyzes the manner in which the Bush Administration moved to establish additional intelligence and enforcement cooperation among the existing agencies in order to more effectively face terrorist threats such as al-Qaida. This paper contains detailed and in-depth historical facts and dates relevant to this particular topic. This paper also examines the manner in which recent advancements and progress in technology are assisting law enforcement agencies around the world to thwart off potential threats of terror.
From the Paper "Various historians have offered various different reasons for the unexpected decrease in the crime rate during the comparatively modern times, and there were some who assumed that perhaps it was industrialization and urbanization and modernization that contributed to this phenomenon. There were some other scholars and researchers who theorized that in actuality crime had not diminished, but had in fact shifted form bodily assaults that were popular in those times, to crimes that were more or less closely related to property, which also indicated that the nature of crime had shifted from an innate scarcity and paucity, to a greater prosperity as well as a free availability of material goods and possessions during modern times. There is also another form of opinion, which states that the decrease in crime seemed to have happened irrespective of industrialization and urbanization."
Abstract The writer of this article discusses that the war on terror waged primarily by the United States against a variety of Islamic radical groups is arguably the dominant issue in the global community in the present day. The writer notes that while this war is conducted largely through the use of military forces there exists considerable debate whether this is the best means of combating terrorism. The writer points out that Benjamin Netanyahu in 'Preparing for the War on Terrorism' can be seen to argue that military means are the best way of defeating terrorism, while Bill Christison in 'Why the War on Terror Won't Work' argues that the military option will not work.
From the Paper The "War on Terror" - waged primarily by the United States against a variety of Islamic radical groups - is arguably the dominant issue in the global community in the present day. While this war is conducted largely through the use of military forces, there exists considerable debate whether this is the best means of combating terrorism. Benjamin Netanyahu, in "Preparing for the War on Terrorism," can be seen to argue that military means are the best way of defeating terrorism, while Bill Christison, in "Why the 'War on Terror' Won't Work," argues that the military option will not work and that we instead need to examine the "root causes" of terrorism.
This essay examines the weak connection between religion and terror by studying several incidences when people carried out terrorism in the name of their God.
Abstract This paper analyzes the phenomenon of people that commit crimes in the name of their religion while examining Jonathan R. White's book "Religion and Terror". It details religious terrorism and gives several examples from history that can be labeled as these. It clearly defines terrorism and its meaning and recalls several terrorists whom are not terrorists by his definition. It focuses on the terrorist acts of Muslim fundamentalists and compares them to Christian secular acts.
From the Paper "In the histories of religious traditions, from biblical wars to crusading ventures and great acts of martyrdom, violence has always shown its presence. An old maxim seems to plague the fight against terrorism: one person's terrorist is simply another's freedom fighter. A major question arose in the wake of the thesis advanced by Samuel Huntington that 'the great divisions among humankind and the dominating source of conflict will be cultural' - a 'Clash of Civilizations' of differing norms and values. Also, the ever-present terrorist violence in the Middle East has not failed to ponder and disturb our thinking of why men would resort to such extremities of violence. Are there shared norms that transcend religion, culture, even civilizations that can and should provide a guide for distinguishing between terrorism and other acts of war or conflict? Robert Kennedy, in his article addresses one aspect of the overall question of shared norms. His purpose is to examine the norms established in both Western Christian and secular and Islamic 'just war' traditions and their modern derivatives in terms of their utility as a guide for differentiating between terrorism and what might otherwise simply be called irregular warfare. The article concludes that, despite the existence of 'fundamentalist' interpretations on all sides, generally shared norms indeed do exist among Western Christian and secular and Islamic 'just war' traditions. The article also concludes that a number of factors contribute to differences of perspective between and among Muslims and members of many western societies. "
Abstract An analysis of the relationship between the war on terrorism and the war on drugs. Part II discusses the similarities between the war on terrorism and the war on drugs. In Part III, the relationship between the war on terrorism and the war on drugs is outlined. Lastly, this paper concludes with recommendations for effectively dealing with the war on terrorism and the war on drugs.
From the Paper "Few events in life have the potential to impact each and every single member of society, whether it is on a macro (indirect) or micro (direct) level. Even fewer such events actually do impact every single citizen. The Columbine school shootings, the Kent State university shootings, the Oklahoma city bombings, Pearl Harbor, and Vietnam are just a few of the events which are forever embedded into the psyche of millions of Americans. On September 11, 2001, two airplanes crashed into the World Trade Center buildings in New York, another airplane crashed into the Pentagon, and a fourth airplane crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. In addition to the sheer magnitude of these airplane crashes, what makes these crashes notable is the fact that all four airplanes were hijacked by suspected terrorists. As a result of these horrific terrorist attacks, thousands of individuals lost their lives in an instant, countless others were left to stand by helplessly, to learn to rebuild their lives without their loved ones."
Abstract In this in-depth examination of the subject, the author of this paper offers a clear definition of global terrorism. He studies the change in America's views on the subject and lists basic concerns of the effect global terrorism might have on the world and on the United States. The paper analyzes the direct and indirect dimensions of risks to U.S. interests and the patterns of global terrorism. It touches on September 11th, effects on the business sector and future plans to fight global terrorism. Finally, it examines the topic of bioterrorism and the UN response.
From the Paper "The U.N. cited America as the "most generous nation in the world in responding to emergencies and crises everywhere else." Perhaps that is why the world grieved and suffered along with Americans when terrorism hit U.S. soil. Nearly half the world joined the U.S. in its international war against terrorism. However, it is important to understand the thin line between "global terrorism" and global organized crime.
According to the U.N., in many important respects, terrorism is a problem to be tackled by law-enforcement agencies, in cooperation with military forces; its magnitude can be brought down to "tolerable" levels, but it can never be totally "defeated", just as we cannot have an absolutely crime-free society; and it is part of the growing trend toward the lowered salience of the State in the new security agenda that emphasizes human as well as national security. "
Abstract This paper studies the phenomenon of terrorism in the light of the September 11th attack on the USA. It seeks a definition of terrorism and looks at some of the possible reasons for terror in the USA. It brings up religious and other motivations for terrorism, such as disparity of wealth among nations and the cultural concept of the "other".
From the Paper "A great deal has been written about terrorism since 11 September 2001, but this should not blind us to the fact that terrorism is hardly a new phenomenon. Although it is hard to believe that there is anyone in the world who is not now more aware of the possible reach and effects of terrorism than they were six months ago, if we are to come to a better understanding of the ways in which terrorists operate and the basic human psychology of terrorism than we must take a longer view of the phenomenon (McDermott 2002). Only if we do so ? if we look at terrorism over a period of centuries and include an analysis of both religiously motivated and other forms of terrorism ? can we come to any clear understanding of what happened in the United States in September as well as what has happened since then (Miller 2002)."
Tags:terror, USA, September, 11motivation, cause, religion, culture
Abstract Terrorism is an assertion of the will of a very few over the many. It is a protest, an attempt to gain power and influence, and an expression of cultural anger. Palestinian terrorists have been blowing themselves up in crowds of Israelis for decades. Theirs is an expression of protest against the very existence of the Israeli state. Terrorism is, then, a multi-faceted expression of violence against another party. The commonality is that some element of the cultures that generate terrorism makes the act of destroying innocent lives. It is the purpose of this paper to examine how a culture, particularly that found in some areas of the Islamic world, can breed terrorism.
Abstract In this paper the author examines the endless war on drugs and terror and looks at the possible links between the two. He examines the rumors that after 9/11, Afghan drugs proffered by bin Laden's networks had been planted to glut the world market. The author highlights how in his opinion, the fight against terrorism which essentially focuses on direct action, is as doomed to failure as the now-fading war on drugs. He believes that attacking the terror cells is not the solution and the greater threat is those that finance terror who are never traced or caught. The paper also criticizes governments, who he admonishes for lacking focus, and having too many interests with no clear goals in mind. With this in mind the author concludes that those who succeed and achieve their goals are the ones who have a clear aim and purpose.
From the Paper "Though the fight against terrorism essentially focuses on direct action, it is as doomed to failure as the now-fading war on drugs. The American anti-terrorist effort currently focuses primarily on Al Qaeda, which operates through separate cells in different countries around the world. According to Marshall Billingslea (2003), "Al'Qaida is perhaps best viewed as part of a spider web. At the center of the web are a number of terrorist groups - dozens actually, of varying sizes with varying agendas. Al'Qaida and [and its proxies include groups] such as the IMU in Uzbekistan, and Jemaah Islamiyah in Indonesia, and Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines, and EIJ in Egypt, Algerian groups such as the Salafist Group for Combat and Prayer, Chechen and other radical groups." Billingslea goes on to say, "The spider web of loosely-organized terror groups has no single, integrated command structure."
