Much of the world’s focus is on jihadist Islamist terrorism, and has been for some time. This far predates 9/11. However, countries outside the U.S. still identify terrorism with other forms or manifestations to a very large degree. The Brits, especially the British special forces (SAS), orient towards “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland to a great degree, and many western European countries still relate the notion of “terrorism” to the many groups and attacks largely suffered in the 1960s and 1970s, many of which were not Islamic at all but purely political, with many being of Marxist/Leninist orientation. Therefore, it is important to look at the various forms of terrorism and terror groups, understand what they each entail and determine which one or ones are deserving of investing a significant amount of a country’s money and resources in combating. Today, looking at the threat of terrorism throughout the world, the question must be asked for both America and the world whether jihadist Islamist terrorism is the predominant concern, or even if it is the only concern. If not, what other terror threats might still exist and what level of resources should be committed to understanding them and preventing their attacks? In relation to this, what is domestic terrorism? What have been the historic differences in definitions between domestic and international terrorism and are those lines beginning to blur? Do you think that with the increasing presence of “foreign” terror groups on U.S. soil, the increasing recruitment of U.S. citizens to join “the jihad,” and the increasing incentivizing of Muslims living in the U.S. to join “the cause” and develop and execute their own “homegrown terror” attack plots, that they should still be considered international terrorists, or are they now domestic terrorists, or are the two classifications now irrelevant? Give me your opinion and support it with your best argument.

READING:

Giduck, When Terror Returns (2011), pp. 89-104.

Bernard Lewis, The Crisis of Islam (New York: Random House: 2003), Chapter 1.

Walter Reich, ed., Origins of Terrorism: Psychologies, Ideologies, Theologies, States of Mind (Washington, D.C.: Woodrow Wilson Center Press, 1990, 1998) Chapter one, Crenshaw, Martha: “The logic of terrorism: Terrorist behavior as a product of strategic choice,”