NEW VALENCES of TERRORISM Doina MUREŞAN “Dimitrie Cantemir”

International Conference KNOWLEDGE-BASED ORGANIZATION Vol. XXII No 1 2016

NEW VALENCES OF TERRORISM

Doina MUREŞAN

“Dimitrie Cantemir” Christian University, Bucharest, Romania [email protected]

Abstract: The most dangerous of present threats is regarded as international terrorism. The areas of instability are numerous and are located generally on major strategic fault but reality shows us that such areas could appear even in the heart of stable countries and economic, political and social potential very high. In the evolution of terrorism there is a tendency to join left to the right terrorism, of seriality and concomitant in terrorist actions and to increase the precision and effects of terrorist activity data convergence between terrorism and high technology used. The expansion of the phenomenon at the universally level requires joint actions to counteraction it and determines the achievement of a general consensus. Thus we are witnessing an impressive group of forces and capabilities, backed by a political consensus unimaginable some time ago. States with divergent positions until yesterday are now on the same frontline of the fight against terrorism. How will it evolve? It can be appreciated that terrorism will remain a problem for the whole world. The phenomenon has serious and numerous implications it be an intolerable attack against universal human values. The terrorism of future years will reflect further technological developments social changes, structural changes at the state and regional and global transfers of increasingly apparent influence in a changing world.

Keywords: regional security, vulnerabilities, threats, terrorism, globalism.

1.Introduction Terrorism is, regardless of where The twenty-first century began that act, a political instrument, actually a with profound changes in the security continuation of the policy or its effect, or a environment, marked by bloody attacks way of manifesting extremist political especially on 11 September 2001, which opposition.In an evolutionary analizing we hit the US. It can be appreciated that these noted that if the International Conference events were beginning to revision and of unification of criminal law in Warsaw formation of new alliances, global in 1927 attempted a first definition of the relations, based on mutual interests in phenomenon, it defined distinct only in terms of global security. 1930 at the second Conference of Although, terrorism is a Harmonisation Law Criminal. phenomenon with a long history, its role Also, if in 1927 it was proposed to has acquired a new significance with the be sanctioned acts such as piracy, refinement of political conflicts. They counterfeiting currency, the slave trade and turned to violence as a political weapon, international use of means capable of violence was sometimes called guerilla creating a common danger in 1934, the warfare, and sometimes terrorism. The Conference of Madrid is proposed to concepts of terrorism and guerrilla warfare include in the concept terrorist acts of are often considered interchangeable. provocation disaster, destruction of works of art or participating in collective

massacres and other atrocities committed the Islamic State. By similarity, terrorist against defenseless populations. The attacks in Brussels in March 2016 consisted phenomenon was amplified included of three explosions, two at Zaventem Airport various territories and acquired in northeastern capital and third at Maelbeek international dimension and now it is Metro Station. considered as a form of warfare In the last two years before the unconventional. terrorist attacks of March in Belgium were other terrorist attacks. On May 24, 2014, a 2. Bodywork gunman with ties to the war in Syria, There has been a massive increase opened fire in Hebrew Museum building in time of material and moral and political in Brussels, and shot dead four staff; in support given by some sponsor-states of January 2015 a series of terrorist terrorist groups plus media impact the operations have targeted a group that was success won by them in achieving their believed that planning a second attack of targets. International terrorist violence was the type of Charlie Hebdo; in August intensified on the insufficient cooperation 2015, a Moroccan terror suspect shot and background of democratic states, both of stabbed three passengers on board a Thalys them, organizational level and action plan. train traveling from Amsterdam to Paris We consider that currently the main via Brussels. characteristics of the phenomenon are We can see that the role has polarized around key elements such as the multiplied terrorism, adding to the well tendency of radicalization and known effect of spreading fear and terror globalization plus the diversification of and action intended, planned, organized forms and methods of action preferred is and systematic rethinking ways to the use of "human bombs". determine the manifestation of democratic It should be noted that terrorism is freedoms. It would seem that the European psychological warfare having as target the Union has become the preferred target of isolation of the individual from the group, this type of aggression and the attack using their imagination victim against him concentrated repeatedly and and fragmentation of society into a mass of simultaneously to the fundamental values frightened individuals. In addition, of a free society, democracy and its terrorist groups aim to undermine the symbols. confidence of individuals in the collective These developments are based on values of their society using the threat to conjugated reasons affecting major the amplification media to the point where dimensions of society and radicalization of safety appears to have the greatest conflict "hot" areas (Yugoslavia, importance for the individual and for Afghanistan, Iraq, the Middle East, South society. The conclusion which imposes a Africa - Eastern Europe, the former USSR) character is organized, systematic and along with offensive broader extremist coordinated through which terrorism fundamentalist - Islamic favors a new operates on an international scale. approach to the phenomenon of terrorism No doubt that terrorism has in many areas on Earth. expanded and changed radically in recent The effort of analysis and correct years recorded seriality clear trends, understanding and complete cases intensifying and concomitant actions and to manifestations of terrorism not be increase the accuracy and effects of terrorist confused with their justification. In this actions. modern age, we are witnessing a new Thus, in Paris in November 2015 "clash of civilizations" stemming from the there have been a number of armed attacks, role and influence of the religious factor. bombings and hostage taking, all claimed by

We associate specialists and and the stance taken by the democratic analysts' opinions that deemed the new state to supporters of terrorist groups. radical and subtle terrorism acts, with Very important are the remedies destructive and coercive effects of large- used against groups, "rationality" requests scale developments require new strategies terrorist groups in conjunction with the to counteract security with intelligent and state policy or organization concerned and flexible character. We consider here purpose Counter Terrorism Strategy bioterrorism, cyber and mega-terrorism, applied which may be the annihilation of narco-terrorism, nuclear, chemical or the terrorist group, limiting damage or bacteriologicalterrorism. Strategic reaction suppression causes that have generated the on "dialogue of violence" can be document terrorist. Other the parameters developed by assessing clearer directions decisive role are given the institutional, will evolve phenomenon and doctrine financial and logistical, to adopt a strategy paradigms that will define goals of major to deter terrorist, the possibility of terrorist groups. escalation of violence and not their Three paradigms can be identified abolition and the possibility of falling into with considerable importance in the the "trap democracy" which consists in evolution of doctrinal phenomenon: terror restricting civil rights of population to like a diplomacyof coercion, as a form of combat terrorism, even at the risk of war and as a means of imposing a new eroding the fundamental values of social system. All these paradigms allow democracy. use NETWARE as a form of ideological Moreover, terrorist groups are fully conflict and cyber sabotage as very aware of the limiting considerations effective in fighting terrorism.Of course involved respect for democratic values in the size of the reaction to terrorism are developing and implementing a multiple and highly interconnected and counterterrorism strategy and acts in such mention here the political arena, a way as to undermine the legitimacy of diplomatic, juridical, military, economic, institutional players in front of public psychological, media. opinion by condemning violations of Establishing an appropriate human rights and democratic values . In institutional framework, international, this regard, Koffi Annan stated that "it is a regional and national level, to ensure the clear need for vigilance in trying to effective implementation of anti-terrorist prevent terrorist acts and firmness in action strategies based on respect for condemning and punishing such acts but human rights, it must be legitimized by a sacrifice other key priorities such as real partnership between the actors human rights, would be self-defeating ". involved in combating terrorism. It noted It noted that by developing a that to be effective, the fight against counter-terrorism strategy that respects terrorism should be based on multilateral democratic values, institutional actors can cooperation of States and international act to limit fundamental rights violations. organizations and the action of the state To achieve this counterterrorism strategy actors, private and civil society. must respect the inviolability given The analyst Boaz Ganor, identified coordinates existing legislation or amend it several variables considered "parameters in accordance with the new threats and to of counterterrorism", according to which protect the physical integrity of civilians can be made an effective counterterrorist during campaigning terrorism. Also, the campaign. They are willing amid juridical framework of all actions taken, to availability makers to negotiate with establish universal criteria for the terrorist groups, the extent to which they definition of a terrorist group, respect for are willing to concede demands bombers human rights and international

conventions in detention and Its aerial bombardments wrong target often criminalization of suspects of terrorism, causing "collateral damage". control civil society and the existence of In an era where air strikes are more full transparency of government agencies common method of war, because of the involved in combating terrorism, the advantage that it presents (if we refer, for procedures to incriminate suspects of example, the military campaign in Kosovo, involvement in terrorist activities, avoid 1999), this strategy is not indicated for the application of penalties and the right to military operations against terrorists. freedom of public information is of utmost Another problem is the need to generality conditions observed such a establish a universal criterion in defining strategy. terrorism and terrorist groups Given the coordinates described classification. Otherwise, any state would above, it is envisaged deter terrorist groups be able to draw up its own list of terrorist to launch attacks, annihilation logistics groups and could trigger military bases, crisis management with hostage- campaign against countries which would taking, the psychological and social consider supporting these groups. consequences of terrorist attacks in the A third approach refers, as population and collect information on previously mentioned, the issue of terrorist groups. "collateral damage". Airstrike against The internationalization of terrorist groups creates situations in which terrorism and the existence of "state- the population is under the question is: sponsor" or some logistical bases of the what is the acceptable level of "victims terrorist groups constitute threats to collateral "for a military intervention international security that may require against terrorism? The military campaign military intervention, such as operations in is prolonged, the greater the risk related to Kosovo, Middle East or Africa, implying a the loss of life among civilians. gathering effective intelligence on terrorist Finally, another angle refers to the groups and guerrilla forces acting in the risk to processing population in refugees areas concerned. as a result of the military campaign. A When referring to military action, it massive wave of refugees can be can be effective in preventing an act of considered as "side effect" of a military sabotage on a strategic objective or campaign against terrorism? The years destruction logistics bases of the terrorist 2015-2016 brought with them a massive groups but as a strategic tool in fighting migration to Europe from countries terrorism, the effect is reduced, deterrence terrorize the population. and not resolve the crisis. What are effects of this wave of Despite the fact that the strategy of refugees? Was developed new policies on terrorist groups does not require a tangible migration and asylum in the European control with a great effect on planning, Union and were approved special strategy shelling areas where supposedly programs and assistance to provide public localized training camps or logistical bases safety. In our opinion, must be upheld and of the terrorist groups has become a usefulness of reduced military solution in common practice in terrorism combating combating terrorism. and the easiest action to punish and According to the "Global Strategy depletion of resources to terrorist groups. on Combating Terrorism", adopted by the Bruce Hoffman believes that sometimes it United Nations General Assembly on 8 is the optimal strategy, but omitting to September 2006, acts of terrorism are bring into question the fact that sometimes activities oriented to human rights these strategies produce innocent victims. violations, fundamental freedoms and democracy, representing threats to

territorial integrity, security of States and said that they can provide a discussion destabilizing legitimately constituted forum on the implications of social and governments of the context in which the political terrorism and the development of international community must take the effective strategies to combat terrorism necessary measures to improve and not finally, as supporters of cooperation in the fight to prevent and fundamental freedoms, will continue to combat terrorism. remind institutional actors responsibility to Currentmutations of terrorist respond to terrorist actions only in phenomenon transforms the academic and compliance with human rights. organizational approaches for the study of In this regard, the adoption of terrorism. Identifying terrorism by claims legislative measures that contribute to ideological - political aims and strategies increasing the safety of the population, and of action taken is probably the easiest way international cooperation in combating to find a definition of this phenomenon. terrorism should be a goal for all countries. Goals, circumstances and methods Currently, there is no involved in state violence against its own internationally harmonized strategy in citizens are completely different from fighting terrorism, being necessary to those of the violence used by states against adopt a clear definition of terrorism and other states or terrorist groups against terrorist groups that could be considered, institutional actors. as well as developing a strategy for action. Applying the term "terrorism" to all three situations gives rise to controversy, 3. Conclusions. short-circuiting academic research. As long Twenty-one century seems to be through terrorist means only violent, under the sign of "technologies of subsumed a cause ideological-political terrorism" which changes the concept of usefulness of the concept is reduced, war and alter society as we know it today. representing rather propaganda than research The methods of action violence, that are scientific. Finding a universally accepted non-discriminatory, adopted by terrorist definition of terrorism has other meanings groups, involving victims random, which than enriching scientific knowledge on gives rise to the feeling intense insecurity terrorism contributing to efficient strategies among the entire population. at national and international level, to combat In this respect the Security Council this phenomenon. resolutions and the establishment of the In developing strategies to combat Antiterrorist ONU coordinating role in terrorism with weapons of mass providing assistance to Member States and destruction must be blocking terrorist to develop draft legislation to be access to technologies and weapons of implemented at national level, are mass destruction. welcome steps in fighting terrorism Regarding the role played by the internationally. media in the war against terrorism, it is

Bibliography Myers, David G., - Theories of Emotion, Psichology: Sevent Edition, NY: Worth Publishers, New York, 2004 Parker, G., McAdams, J. şi Zielinski, D. - Rewarding teams: Lessons from the trenches, Jossey Bass, San Francisco, CA, 2000 Savoie A., Brunet L. – Les équipes de travail: champ d'intervention privilégié pour les psychologues. Traié de psychologie du travail et des organisations, Paris, 2000 West, D. Tjosvold şi K.G Smith (editori) - International handbook of organizational teamwork and cooperative working, Wiley, Chichester, UK, 2003