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• Changes That Have Occurred Regarding Terrorism

  Currently, terrorism reflects change and continuity. New challenges, motivations, and rationales have recently emerged to address key assumptions of terrorism and terrorists. However, this emergence has not generated the required changes in terrorist tactics or weaponry that were projected to follow due to the occurrence of fatal attacks that occurred many years back. Just like in the past, bombs and guns remain the most commonly used weapons by terrorists. The present terrorists have remained considerably conservative in their operations and follow the same narrow and familiar tactical repertoire used by old terrorists. Moreover, they believe in maximizing the possibility of success. Notably, the current terrorism entails using biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons. Based on this background information, the current paper describes changes that have occurred in terrorism by highlighting differences between old terrorism from new terrorism.

  In the past, terrorism was practiced by individuals who belong to an identifiable organization that had clear command and control apparatus, as well as, well-defined set of social, political, or economic objectives (Taylor & Swanson, 2018). Terrorism was clearly defined in terms of political and religious objectives. During these periods, the terrorists attempted to calibrate their activities to yield sufficient bloodshed in order to attract attention for their cause but not to alienate public support. However, this changed because currently, increasing incidences of terrorism are intended to kill hundreds of people as possible.

  Another change that has occurred regarding terrorism concerns the number of casualties. Currently, terrorist attacks are 20% more likely to cause death or injury as compared to the past. The pattern towards increased causalities partially depicts the changing motivation of modern terrorism. The current terrorist groups are inspired by visions of a post-apocalyptic future or by ethnic hatred (Taylor & Swanson, 2018). These groups lack a precise political goal apart from punishing their enemies by killing as millions of them as possible without being concerned about alienating sympathizers. Similarly, most terrorism activities are less likely to be followed by allegations of responsibilities or a set of political demands. This change in terrorist motives has significantly altered the structure of many terrorist groups.

  Although conventional explosives and guns have remained the preferred weapons for most terrorist activities, many terrorist groups have shown interest in using biological, chemical, radiological, and nuclear materials. Crenshaw (2008) posited that it is difficult to predict the possibility of a biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear attack, but the contemporary terrorists are seeking the capability to use the mentioned agents to cause mass causalities. Terrorism has also changed in the manner in which terrorists communicate. Currently, terrorists are extensively using new information technologies and well-coordinated cyber-attacks that are likely to increase the damage.

  Difference between the Old and New Forms of Terrorism

              The new model of terrorism assumes equivalently that religion, majorly of those militia groups with apocalyptic and millennial ideologies, is the key precipitating factor. The new terrorists are believed to have unclear goals on the systematic levels and to value destruction for their sake. However, the old terrorism is regarded as limited, comprehensible, more specific, and usually linked to the territory, thereby making the complaints more susceptible to negotiation. Secondly, the structure of the new terrorism is believed to be considerably different from that of the old terrorism. The new terrorists according to Crenshaw (2008) are decentralized with a flat networked apparatus as opposed to a cellular or hierarchical structure. Subunits are believed to have considerable autonomy and the organization is sincerely transnational. On the contrary, the structure of the old terrorism is believed to be centralized and top-down. Here, individual leaders not important.

  Lastly, the means of new terrorism is believed to be different. The principle is that since the ends of the new terrorism are unlimited, the means are equally unlimited. The new terrorists are thought to be eager to cause the highest deaths and destructions to their enemies. They are also ready to sacrifice most of their members or affiliations in the process. The new terrorism is linked to the emergence of suicide terrorism and the terrorists are believed to be more inclined as compared to secular groups in terms of using weapons of mass destruction (Crenshaw, 2008). Contrarily, the old terrorism is believed to be more specific and retrained in targeting. The old terrorists wanted individuals alive but terrified as compared to the new terrorists that want people dead. Old terrorists enforced restraint on their actions since they aimed at changing the attitudes of popular audiences who could assist them realize their goals. These militants were not discriminatory in terms of their choice of targets.

  In conclusion, terrorism has changed considerably from the past where the target and goals were well set as compared to the current terrorism where the two are not well defined. Thus, as terrorism continues to change, governments across the world should formulate and enact relevant policies to curb terrorists from causing more deaths and causalities.