Slaying the Dragon: An Analysis on How to Dismantle Terrorist Organizations

Abstract

Terrorism has become a rising threat to international peace and security all over the world. It is not a new problem to the world scene, but increasingly crucial to the United States. While al-Qaeda is the most current threat to many countries in the world and may seem impossible to put down, terrorist organizations have been defeated throughout history. Understanding the major causes of other group\u27s demise may teach us useful skills in how to defeat the current problems. The most useful policies that have been effective in defeating terrorism have been policing, politicization, and military actions in corporation with sub-policies to reinforce them (Jones, Libicki, 2008). In combination with these three major categories, economic sanctions on states that harbor terrorists, intelligence gathering, engaging in diplomacy, and target killings are necessary. An example of each of these policies will display how these work. Case studies of Aum Shinrikyo, the Irish Republican Army, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman will illustrate each policy. Furthermore, details of how each of these policies work will be demonstrated. Furthermore, for a state to decide on which policy may be most beneficial, the organization itself must be thoroughly analyzed. Details such as ideological motivations, economic conditions, regime type, size, and legitimacy within the community surrounding a terrorist organization help craft a policy fitted to it directly and uniquely

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