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TERRORISM TODAY

UNIT 5: STRATEGIES & WEAPONS

In the following unit, students will examine the strategies that terrorists employ to accomplish their goals.  Using asymmetrical warfare, terror organizations are able to maintain a level of unpredictability and create fear amongst the general populace or political body in order to accomplish their goals.  Students will be able to explain why terrorists select their targets and identify the different methodologies used by terrorists. With the availability of high-yield weaponry and the possible use of WMD’s, students will come to grasp the significance of terrorism in the modern world.  Students will also examine how terrorist organizations are learning organizations and try to determine the future of terrorism.   

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

  • Why do terrorist groups adopt suicide bombing?

  • What impact does suicide terrorism have on recruitment?

  • What are the dangers associated with terrorist acquisition of WMD’s?

  • Is threat of a WMD terrorist attack exaggerated?

  • Is terrorism effective?

Essential Questions

VIDEOS

Videos
International Relations 101: Why Suicide Terrorism?

  • Why do terror groups use suicide bombers? 

International Relations 101: Understanding Suicide Terrorism?

  • Why do terror groups use suicide bombers? 

Inside the Mind of a Suicide Bomber
*DISCLAIMER: The subject of this video had suicidal thoughts due to PTSD prior to becoming a suicide bomber for ISIS.  His trauma is discussed at the start of the video.

  • How does the subject's story complicate your ideas of suicide bombers? 

How to Buy Nukes on the Black Market
*DISCLAIMER: There is one use of profanity in the clip

  • What is a dirty bomb?

  • What would happen if a dirty bomb were detonated in the U.S.?

  • How easy is it to buy nukes on the black market?

Inspire Magazine & Dabiq Magazine

  • Why would al-Qaeda choose to call its magazine "Inspire"?

  • What are terrorists hoping to do with these publications?

  • How do magazines and online videos fit with the strategy of "leaderless jihad"?

Vehicle Attacks

  • Why have vehicle attacks become more popular among terrorists?  

  • How do governments protect citizens from vehicle attacks?

The Invisible Enemy: Cyber Terrorists Wreaking Havoc

  • What is the appeal of cyberterrorism?

  • Are cyber attacks the future of terrorism?

UNIT SOURCES

Sources

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