The Success and Failure of Terror Groups Paper Example

The definition of the word terrorism itself is controversial to a great extent with one group being the terrors and the other freedom fighters. This definition is relative when subjected to the historical origin of the word terrorism. According to various scholars, there is almost no distinction between freedom fighters and terrorists. Several groups over history have been established to liberate nations from the oppressive state they were subjected to by the government of the day. Some of these groups have been successful while others have failed utterly. The primary objective of the groups, however, remains to attain freedom of practice of the people's beliefs and religion without the influence of outside forces.

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The main success of terror groups in their quest to appeal their dissatisfaction with the government was through cooperation with other smaller groups and winning the support of the citizens. These cases entail; the IRA union with minor groups repulsive to the British rule, FNL used of the Algerian citizens to boycott work to bring an economic struggle to the French government (Crenshaw, 1981). These acts were the steps leading to the success of the groups as their wave of terror is seen to be practical and successful by all the other groups feeling oppressed to air their grievances. LTTE, the Red Army Faction, and the Weather Underground functioned independently thus inhibiting their domination and enabling the government to have more control in managing its structure and crippling their operations.

IRA, FNL, Lehi, and Irgun managed to turn the crisis in the nation to a political standstill by accelerating repression. The continued terror attacks by these groups provoked the government to intensify and direct more energy towards organized military action which further increased the levels of repression thus forcing the majority of citizens to side with these groups in their efforts to seek normalcy. Countering increased oppression with the continuous mass murder of civilians, soldiers and political leaders coerced civilians to be sympathizers and offer support to these groups. Both willing and forceful recruitments led to the continuous growth of the groups as they pressed more on the already weak spot of the government through violence, For example, Irgun and Lehi violence continued despite opposition from the Yishuv and Jewish Council until they had their way. IRA continued with their violent tactics to bring the government to the discussion table as FNL increased terror among citizens through killings and kidnappings to support their claim. These actions forced the government to give up power or form a negotiating table that takes into account the grievances of these groups as it is seen as an unjust government incapable of solving the issues affecting its citizens (Marighella, 1971). Thus the organized activities of these groups are understood to have a systematic catalytic change to the directions taken by the state. LTTE, the Red Army Faction, and the Weather Underground faced rebellion from the citizens both due to their failure to represent the majority and establishment of a collective identity.

The protesting groups had to come up with various adaptability and understanding that enabled them to learn from the ongoing changes. The latter is what allowed the success of the IRA, FNL, Lehi, and Irgun, and limited the LTTE, the Red Army Faction, and the Weather Underground from attaining political and social autonomy that would later bring the inherent economic character of a capitalistic economy to its knees (Merari, 1993). Terror attacks are faced with a much harsher response from the government. Thus, the ability of the group to alter their strategies and reflect upon the changing government tactics and countability is what enhances their continued growth and growing support for their ideologies. The IRA and Zionists (Irgun and Lehi) managed to maintain internal truce by teachings aimed at reminding each member what they were fighting for with their common enemy. On the other hand, LTTE competed with other Tamil groups to make its claim more vital thus resulting to internal disintegration despite having the same claims as an oppressed community (LTTE and the peoples will slide 15). The conflicts within RAF also weakened their internal dynamics thus crippling their ability to pressure the government for their claim.

Similarities and Differences of ISIS to Al Qaeda, Hamas, and Hizballah

Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Hizballah have a common goal which is opposition to the religious oppression and influence of the west through the use of violence and intimidating tactics. However, their strategic planning and approach to the way they achieve this object vary to a great extent.

Hizballah and Hamas were formed in the 80's to act as a shield of religion from the influence of globalization and the west. The modern world was seen as an influential factor in relegating faith from playing a significant role in the lives of the local people. Therefore, the group acted as a moral backbone to revert the ways of the past where faith prevailed instead of the current modernization and secularization (Reich, 1990). The main aim of these Hamas and Hizballah is to fight for the freedom of their people and free them from oppression both locally and internationally. An act that aims terms these groups as militia groups. ISIS, however (Hizballah 4) does not fight for the same goals as the latter. Their primary objective is to create an Islamic state that is governed by sharia law- a caliphate. Hizballah condemns violence as it does not gunner support for its ideologists (Wright,2002). The group highly condemned the 9/11 attacks carried out by Al Qaeda. Hamas and Hizballah are political organizations which have administrative positions in Palestine and Egypt despite being termed as terrorist groups (Burke, 2017). ISIS, on the other hand, is opposed to the formation of a government or constitution as these are factors of westernization and modernization. Hizballah, Hamas, and Al Qaeda obtain their funding from donor groups while ISIS funding is mainly derived from extortion, selling of items on the black market and smuggling.

Al Qaeda originated in the 80's from the anti-Soviet jihadists who later wanted to spread the war of Jihad to the entire world. Vanguard fighters were created by the jihadist group to further this claim. The initial goal of the movement was to unite the squabbling and other minor extremist movements to spread attacks against the far enemy as a way to influence the local enemy believed to supported by the united states (Burke, 2017). The joining of Al Qaeda by these groups meant having access to capital, weapons, training support, logistics and education on the way to conduct jihad. ISIS originated as a branch of Al Qaeda with Al Zarqawi pledging loyalty to Al Qaeda in 2004. The group also had a different structure. The Subordinates of Bin Laden were originating from wealthy and educated families which is contrary to ISIS whose leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was a convict who became more radicalized after serving jail term (Burke, 2017).

The group, however, has sought its independence through its ideologies which led to the split of the group from Al Qaeda. There is a difference in the approach of ISIS on the other hand as they are more focused on the local enemy rather than the far one. The attack by ISIS included both Muslim and non-Muslim states, but Al Qaeda's ideology was based on western countries or symbol. Further, ISIS had a local enemy, according to ISIS entailed the Shia Muslims (Byman, 1998). An act that led to the condemning of the leader Al Zarqawi. Their local focus pits the two groups against each other with each group purporting to be the right inheritor of the legacy of Bin Laden. Al Qaeda wanted to form an Islamic state but took a much more expansive approach than ISIS (Burke, 2017).

The ideologies of the two groups also differs. ISIS declares any group or individual opposing their actions to be an enemy (even Muslims) of their efforts to establish an Islamic state- takfirism. The latter is opposed to the difference in Al Qaeda's goal of opting for Salafism- follow of the Quran and Sunna by all groups (Byman, 1998). The funding of Al Qaeda is based on the support of donor groups whereas ISIS funds its activities based on illicit activities such as looting and selling of products such as oil in the black market (Burke, 2017).

Although there is a significant difference between Al-Qaeda and ISIS, the two are much similar than ISIS and Hamas or Hizballah. Their efforts to establish an Islamic state is based on violence against enemies of this objective. They are more focused on combating westernization rather than Hamas and Hizballah attempts to take control of specific boundaries.

Understanding Terrorism

Extremism has dramatically grown in other nations far away from the actual battleground and the birthplace of jihadi movements. The mainstream terror groups such as Taliban, Al Qaeda, ISIS are not influential on their own, there small radicalized minor groups that play a much more significant role in enhancing the beliefs of the leading groups. The radicalization ranges from small groups to individuals. Radicalized individuals travel longer distances to contribute to the cause. Merah, for example, is a French citizen who was radicalized while in French prison to latter seek training among the Taliban and later orchestrate the shooting of police officers with a handgun (Burke, 2017). Such acts are done out of personal weaknesses which are radicalized and instead used to influence jihadism. The latter, however, is criminal violence Merah had been convicted before for perpetrating in the name of jihadism. Therefore, the frustrations and the failures in the society plays a significant role in these acts as terrorism offers religious heroism that is opposite of the suffering in the society (Roy, 2015).

The influence of electronic media has also played a vital role in passing the intended message of the act. The lack of modern communication would mean the act of terror will only remain to be in effect to the immediate individual, thus wasted energy (Hoffman, 2006). Therefore, terrorism is an art that is orchestrated to attract the acts of international press and the media. The outcry of the media to the hijack of the TWA flight 847 was given individual bulletin reports in the US media within the 18 days the hijacking took place (Hoffman, 2006). Such acts give terror groups a chance to show their power thus attracting members of the society feeling discontented with the life they live. Therefore, reporting by the media sometimes may change from giving a series of events to dictating the policies and actions to manage the terror groups as the media considerably influences public opinion.

Additionally, according to Burke the Several people had an idea of the 9/11 attacks through electronic media but did not inform the police (2017). The media has also been a hub for the formation of radicalized small network cells of individuals who get training from the mainstream groups or without the training still, perpetrate violent acts in their countries in the name of God. The Tsernaev brothers bombing the London marathon is an excellent example of these inspired "warriors" (Burke, 2017).

The floors in Moghaddam's staircase model provides a concise understanding of the development of terrorism and how the process of radicalization and development of such groups can be curbed. These groups are not formed in a one-day process. Each floor explains the development of terrorism ranging from feeling disgruntled due to unjust conditions, being brainwashed, considering violence and seeking ways to commit...