Terrorism Case Study

Caless (2012) defines terrorism as " the threat or use of violence to further a political agenda for change by inducing widespread fear". However, experts have been debating over a clear definition for terrorism for over 100 years. Although the word was first used over 200 years ago when discussing the Reign of Terror (Whitaker, 2001). Consequently, there have been over 100 definitions offered for terrorism (Laqueur, 1977, cited in Martin, 2013). Alex Schmid 's (2004) research also illustrates the lack of clarity surrounding the definition. And most experts believe that an impartial and universal recognised definition will never be agreed upon (Ganor, 2002).

With the lack of clarity surrounding the definition, a further question arises; who is classed as a terrorist? This is reflected in the well known phrase "one man 's freedom fighter, is another man 's terrorist." (Gerald Seymour, 1975, cited in Ganor, 2002). Overall, it is agreed, that this depends on the subjective viewpoint of the individual (Ganor, 2002; Jackson, 2008; Corte, 2007).

The Just War doctrine is an "ideal and moralistic philosophy" (Martin, 2013). It asks questions such as "what types of force are morally acceptable?" and "who can morally be defined as an enemy?" This notion is usually used by ideological and religious extremists, in order to justify their own acts of extreme violence.

A prime example of religious extremists is the 'jihadi Islamic fundamentalists ', the term jihad means a sacred "struggle" but is manifested by some radical Muslim clerics as a holy war and therefore perceived that their war is a "just war" (Martin, 2013).
This paper will endeavour to answer the question; Did University College London (UCL) further radicalise Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab? There have been many debates, theories and investigations surrounding this question, many of which will be analysed throughout.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab (born 22 December 1986) is a Nigerian Islamist who

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