This week, you take the role of an expert serving on a commission to predict the possible tactics and weapons of a terrorist group. Choose a terrorist group other than al-Qaeda. The group you choose should have a well-defined profile and a defined strategic position.
Create a report for the commission. The report should include the following about the terrorist group you choose:
The terrorist group’s profile, including its goals and objectives.
The terrorist group’s rank in being a serious threat to international security.
The terrorist group’s threat to innocent civilians and its rank based upon the level of danger it poses to innocent civilians.
The counterterrorism measures that can be used against this group.
Full Answer Section
Threat to International Security
Boko Haram is a serious threat to international security, as it has shown a willingness to carry out attacks beyond Nigeria's borders. The group has attacked neighboring countries such as Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, and it has also attempted to carry out attacks in Europe and the United States.
Threat to Innocent Civilians
Boko Haram poses a grave threat to innocent civilians. The group has killed tens of thousands of people in Nigeria and its neighboring countries, and it has also displaced millions more. Boko Haram is known for its indiscriminate targeting of civilians, including women and children.
Rank
Boko Haram is ranked as a serious threat to international security and a grave threat to innocent civilians.
Counterterrorism Measures
A number of counterterrorism measures can be used against Boko Haram. These include:
- Military and security operations: Military and security operations can be used to target Boko Haram's leadership and infrastructure. However, it is important to take steps to minimize civilian casualties in these operations.
- Intelligence gathering and sharing: Intelligence gathering and sharing is essential to understanding Boko Haram's plans and operations. This information can then be used to disrupt the group's activities and prevent attacks.
- Community engagement: Community engagement is important to build trust and cooperation between the government and the local population. This can help to identify and address the root causes of radicalization and violence.
- Economic development: Economic development can help to reduce poverty and inequality, which are factors that can contribute to radicalization and violence.
Conclusion
Boko Haram is a serious threat to international security and a grave threat to innocent civilians. A number of counterterrorism measures can be used against Boko Haram, including military and security operations, intelligence gathering and sharing, community engagement, and economic development.
Sample Answer
Report to the Commission
Terrorist Group: Boko Haram
Profile
Boko Haram is a Sunni Islamic extremist group that originated in northeastern Nigeria in the early 2000s. The group's name translates to "Western education is forbidden" in the Hausa language, and it is known for its violent opposition to Western culture and education. Boko Haram's stated goal is to establish an Islamic caliphate in Nigeria, and it has carried out numerous attacks against civilian targets, including schools, mosques, and churches.
Goals and Objectives
Boko Haram's stated goal is to establish an Islamic caliphate in Nigeria, ruled by a strict interpretation of Islamic law. The group has also expressed its desire to spread its ideology to other countries in the region, and it has links to other terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS.