Discussion 1: Prior to beginning work on this discussion, read Chapter 10 in Martin (2016) and the Part II Introduction in Capron & Mizrahi.
When looking at a terrorist attack, sometimes it is difficult to understand the purpose of indiscriminate death and destruction. Martin (2016) addresses the tactics, techniques, and targets of terrorists. In Table 10.2 (273) “Constituencies and Enemies: Selecting Tactics and Targets” Martin (2016) identifies six terrorist groups or movements, and then in Table 10.4 (298), he lays out five “Measures of Effectiveness” that you will use to evaluate a terrorist attack for this discussion forum. Note that Part II of Capron & Mizrahi (2016) provides additional information for the terrorist groups identified in Table 10.2 in Martin (2016). To check your understanding of the material required for this discussion, you may wish to access the quizzes and flash card activities on the companion website for the Martin (2016) text.
For this discussion
Select a terrorist group identified in Table 10.2 – Constituencies and Enemies: Selecting Tactics and Targets (Martin, 2016, p. 273). Note the “Activity Profile” for the group or movement. Identify a specific terrorist activity or attack by the selected group. Analyze the effectiveness of the terrorist group using the five measures of effectiveness found in Table 10.4 (Martin, 2016, p. 298), “Measures of Effectiveness.” Address one of the following questions. How effective was the terrorist group you selected in meeting their stated objectives? What was the impact of their tactic or attack? What historical socio-political structures led to your chosen groups’ terrorist activities? Was the attack justified and ethical from the terrorist organization perspective? Have you seen a change in the terrorist group tactics, techniques or targets over time? Your initial post must be a minimum of 500 words in length for discussion 1. Support your post with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly or official government sources. Use APA formatting to cite your sources in text as well as at the end of your post.
Discussion 2: Prior to beginning work on this discussion, read Chapter 11 in Martin (2016). To check your understanding of the material required for this discussion, you may wish to access the quizzes and flash card activities on the companion website for the Martin (2016) text.
As Martin (2016) discusses, there are two perspectives when examining the media. In the case of terrorism there is the perspective of the terrorist group and their message, and then there is the government perspective. Many times these messages are in direct conflict. In a democracy such as the United States, freedom of the press is a central tenant. We have come to rely on the media to report the news in an unbiased manner. However, it is important to remember there are two sides to every story. This discussion becomes even more complex when you take into account the culture, history, social justice, and systematic widespread political foundations of the populations involved. The bottom line is both the terrorist organization and the government want to get their message out, and they want to ensure it is crafted to support their point of view. The media is in the middle and can be used as a weapon. “The British Broadcasting Corporation operates under a detailed set of rules.” Martin points out in a quote from David Paletz and Laura Tawney that: “Consensus exists that ethical standards should be observed when reporting terrorist incidents. These include the following:
[Do Not] serve as a spokesman/accomplice of the terrorist… [Do not] portray terror as attractive, romantic, or heroic; [instead, employ an] honest portrayal of motives of terrorist… Hold back news where there is clear and immediate danger to life and limb… Avoid . . . unchallenged terrorist propaganda . . . Never try to solve a situation” (Paletz, D. and Tawney, L. as quoted in Martin, 2016, p. 321) Select a specific terrorist event, program, or attack and explain the role the media played in the event from the terrorist perspective:
What role did the media play in publicizing the terrorist organization’s message? What forms of media did the terrorist organization use to transmit their message? Were the uses of media ethical (for instance how were the ISIS/ISIL beheadings addressed)? Who were the intended recipients of the message? Are there other tools the terrorist organization could use to garner additional media attention to their cause? Your initial post must be a minimum of 500 words in length fr discussion 2. Support your post with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly or official government sources. Use APA formatting to cite your sources in text as well as at the end of your post.