Modern Terrorism

Answer

Modern Terrorism

The characterization of al-Qaeda as a global microstructure is quite appropriate given that as a global terror organization, it did not have a complex structure, but rather the mechanisms of coordination in this group are similar to those that exist in interaction systems. The group proclaiming the Islamic State is also a global microstructure given that the group’s activities have effects all across the world, yet the group is not tied to some form of organizational complexity (Cetina, 2005). This is especially true given that the main goal of the group is to radicalize people in different parts of the world to participate in terrorism attacks on Western countries. Despite the fact that the Islamic State has curved out a portion of Iraq, Pakistan and Syria out of which it operate, its ability to attract fighters and members from all over the world are what makes it a global microstructure.

The ISIS group uses technologies to communicate to the world that they have total control over the regions, which they have declared as a caliphate. They communicate this message frequently to their followers and sympathizers all across the world in order to rally them behind their mission of creating a global Islamic State. Cetina defines this as "scopic media" because they use technology not to communicate the reality, but to focus their message around a single them of global Muslim domination (Cetina, 2005). The scopic media used in this case is largely broadcast media as well as radicalization videos posted on the web and also in-person recruitment efforts.

The “lone wolf phenomenon” refers to the increasing incidences of terrorism attacks carried out by individuals in western countries who sympathize with terrorist groups. Lone wolf attackers usually orchestrate attacks on their own volition and they might be citizen or foreigners within the country (Bajekal, 2014). Lone wolf attackers usually have diverse reasons for planning and executing attacks, but in many cases they are disenfranchised members of society. Such attackers might link their actions to a particular terrorist group, but might not have a direct affiliation with the said terror groups. Therefore, the “lone wolf phenomenon” is used to describe acts of terrorism carried out by individuals mostly in western countries.

I agree with Thomas Friedman’s argument that ISIS is a by-product of “failed governance” given that failed governance leads to disenfranchised citizens who are more likely to take up arms as a last resort. Failed governance is one of the main reasons why terror groups such as ISIS are thriving in the Arab world (Friedman, 2015). The governments of countries where terror groups have thousands of members have usually neglected the needs of their people, thereby, leaving them susceptible to the allure of ISIS. Terror groups such as ISIS capitalize on failed governance to seize territories from government and to control such territories in order to fund their terror activities. Citizens who have lost hope in the ability of their government to protect them are more likely to join ISIS for protection and security.

Homegrown terrorism refers to terrorism acts carried out by citizens and permanent residents of the country which they attack. Homegrown terrorism attacks have increased as more people are radicalized from the comfort of their homes through media focusing on different terror groups. Homegrown terrorism shares some similarities with lone wolf terrorism, but they are not the same (Bergen, 2016). Homegrown terrorism is on the rise as terror groups gain sympathizers in western countries who are easily indoctrinated and encouraged to carry out attacks on their own countries. This is a major threat to the security of most countries as it is quite difficult to identify homegrown terrorists and to stop their attacks.