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International Terrorism

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International Terrorism
Relate International Terrorism with Ethno-National Identity Problem What is the root cause of terrorism? What drives a terrorist group to commit acts of violence? Is it the environment they are born in to or is it a trait that is developed over time as a result of their upbringing? The term ethno-nationalism can be defined as “the combination of both ethnic and national identities in some way for a political purpose, usually to infer superiority over some other group or groups”. This identity is what brings a terrorist group together and serves to invigorate their extremist actions. Through an ethno-nationalism identity terrorists are able to not only empower their case of taking on the identity of “freedom fighters” but also to recruit and retain supporters willing to join their cause. Across the globe the ethno-nationalism identity problem is responsible for the dilemma of international terrorism. Terrorism can be defined as the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. It is an act intended to cause fear perpetrated in the name of some type of political, ideological, or religious goal and is not concerned with the safety of civilians. Terrorist acts throughout the centuries have been performed with the goal of spreading a system of belief, viewpoint or opinion. International terrorism is evident in almost every nation at one point in time or another. From places like Baghdad, Iraq to New York City terrorism impacts the world. From suicide bombers in Jordan to car bombs in Kabul no one is free from the effects of terrorism. In order to understand the term ethno-nationalism and its contributing factors to terrorism it is necessary to define it in its simplest form. The dictionary defines an ethnic group as a group of people who identify with one another, or are so identified by others, on the basis of a boundary that distinguishes them from other groups. These boundaries can be cultural, political, ideological, religious, or economic in


References: Absolute Astronomy. (n.d.) Naxalite. Retrieved from the web February 14, 2012 http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Naxalite. Anti-Defamation League. (n.d.) In Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (2). Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://www.adl.org/terrorism/symbols/liberation_tigers_te2.asp. Bajoria, J. (August 29, 2011). Council on Foreign Relations. In al-Qaeda (a.k.a. al-Qaida, al-Qa 'ida). Retrieved February 11, 2012, from http://www.cfr.org/terrorist-organizations/al-qaeda-k-al-qaida-al-qaida/p9126. Brachman, J. (September 10,2009). Foreign Policy. In The Next Osama. Retrieved February 11, 2012, from http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/09/10/the_next_osama.. Koerner, B. (July 2005). Who are the Janjaweed Retrieved from web February 2, 2012 http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2004/07/who_are_the_janjaweed.html. South Asia Terrorism Portal South Asia Terrorism Portal. (n.d.) In Jama 'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). Retrieved February 10, 2012, from http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/bangladesh/terroristoutfits/JMB.htm. South Asia Terrorism Portal. (n.d.) In Suicide Killings. Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/shrilanka/database/suicide_killings.htm. South Asia Terrorism Portal. (n.d.) In Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, Terrorist Group of Pakistan. Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/pakistan/terroristoutfits/Ssp.htm. US Department of State. (May 24, 2010) In Bangladesh. Retrieved February 10, 2012, from http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3452.htm. Violent Extremism. (n.d.) In Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU). Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://vkb.isvg.org/Wiki/Groups/Islamic_Movement_of_Uzbekistan_(IMU). Wikipedia. (n.d.). National Identity. Retrieved February 10, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_identity. Wolf, F

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