Peer Responses Week 8
HSE 470: Modern Terrorism
Response #1 (Timothy): After 9/11, the U.S. military and intelligence have been working in Africa to fight terrorism and make the region safer. They set up Africa Command (AFRICOM) to coordinate military actions there. They also help African governments get stronger and deal with the reasons why people become radicalized. They focus on sharing information, cutting off terrorist funding, and changing extremist beliefs (Devermont and Steadman).
In Africa, terrorist groups like al-Qaeda are growing and causing more trouble. These groups take advantage of Africa’s problems and weak borders to operate. Al-Qaeda’s branches in Africa, like al-Shabab in Somalia, are getting stronger and carrying out serious attacks. The rise of these extremist groups is fueled by local issues like politics, poverty, and borders that are easy to cross. The Islamic State group is also active in Africa, with branches in places like Mozambique and the Sahel region that pose big threats (Congress).
Efforts to stop these groups have had some success, like weakening the Islamic State group in Egypt. Al-Qaeda has split into many factions across Africa and parts of Asia, working independently in different areas. Africa has become a major battleground for terrorism, with al-Qaeda and other extremist groups causing trouble and taking advantage of local problems to push their agendas (Solomon).
Works Cited
Congress, 116. “U.S. COUNTERTERRORISM PRIORITIES AND CHALLENGES IN AFRICA.” n.d. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-116hhrg38739/html/CHRG-116hhrg38739.htm.
Devermont, Judd and Leanne Steadman. Center For Strategic & International Studies. n.d. https://www.csis.org/analysis/defending-us-military-presence-africa-reasons-beyond-counterterrorism.
Solomon, H. “Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism in Africa.” n.d. CPT 7. book.
Response #2 (Juan): Before 9/11 the U.S. was almost nonexistent when it came to African affairs. This would change when two of their embassies were attacked in East Africa. The 9/11 attacks only confirmed that there was a need for the U.S. to do something in Africa. The U.S. did not want Africa to become a safe haven for terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. Their approach to tackling terrorism in Africa was a military-focused one. They provided training and assistance to local military personnel to conduct military operations against terrorist groups. The main challenge the U.S. faces in Africa is differentiating domestic terrorism and international jihadist terrorism.
Recent news stories suggest that al Qaeda has been regrouping in Africa and has an estimated 40,000 fighting forces. They have also joined forces with other terrorist organizations such as al Shabab. An al Qaeda threat to U.S. homeland security will always exist, but so will the threats of other international terrorist groups growing in the area such as ISIS, al-Shabab, and Boko haram. All these groups share their dislike for Western influence.
HSE 460: European Union
Response #1 (Hudson): The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is the largest security organization that is within Europe when it comes to the number of member states. OSCE dates all the way back to the early 1970s when it served as a way to communicate or a dialogue for negotiations between the East and the West during the Cold War. OSCE has no formal means of voting but instead its decisions are taken by consensus, it is an entirely inter-governmental organization. The organization takes a comprehensive approach when it comes to security and emphasizes things such as the prevention of conflict, early warning, and arms control. It relies on contributions from member states to stay in operation and has no formal military of its own. The OSCE has taken on missions in over a dozen countries and focuses more on the European “soft power” within the global arena. Like any other government organization, the OSCE has faced some criticisms and challenges such as the decision-making process and not having a military force but in the end, it is an effective organization that can be proven to be very useful. There are many factors that influence terrorism threats following 9/11 that can be seen from many different terrorist organizations such as people with alliances to al Qaeda and the Islamic State. There are many factors that contribute to these threats such as border security, geopolitical factors, and even the responses to terrorist threats. There are many different ways that the United States and the OSCE can work together to combat international terrorism. To start, information sharing can go a long way when it comes to staying on top of threats and taking action before it is too late. There are many other ways they can work together like the United States providing additional training and working together to enhance their overall capabilities and even working together to enhance border security and increase international legal framework. In the end there are many different ways that they can work together to enhance the ability to combat international terrorism.
Reference:
Kubicek, P. (2020). European Politics (3rd ed.). Taylor & Francis. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781000281910
Response #2 (Keryn): The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) originated in 1975 during the Cold War as a forum for dialogue and cooperation among European nations. Since then, it has evolved into a key institution promoting security, stability, and cooperation in Europe, addressing various challenges including terrorism. The United States and the OSCE can collaborate in combating international terrorism through information sharing, capacity-building, multilateral initiatives, and joint operations. Factors influencing terrorism threats within Europe since 9/11, particularly involving radical Islamic terrorism, include the spread of extremist ideologies facilitated by online propaganda, the flow of foreign fighters to and from conflict zones, socio-economic disparities fostering radicalization, and concerns over border security and migration. By addressing these factors collaboratively, the US and the OSCE can effectively mitigate terrorism threats and promote regional security.
Resources: Kubicek, P. (2020). European Politics (3rd ed.). Taylor & Francis. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781000281910
HSE 450: Individual and Cultural Perspectives of Terrorism Radicalization
Response #1 (Craig): The activities and operations of al Qaeda and other terror groups in Africa include suicide bombings, kidnappings, attacks on military and civilian targets, recruitment and radicalization of local populations, and territorial control in certain regions. Al Qaeda and other terror groups are most active in regions such as the Sahel (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso), East Africa (Somalia, Kenya), and North Africa (Libya, Algeria). The impact of al Qaeda and other terror groups’ activities on the affected regions include destabilization of governments, displacement of local populations, economic decline, and increased radicalization. The specific threats posed by al Qaeda and other terror groups in Africa include the potential for large-scale attacks on Western targets, recruitment of foreign fighters, spread of radical ideology, and the establishment of safe havens for planning and training. The overall threats related to al Qaeda and other terror groups in Africa are the destabilization of the affected regions, the potential for large-scale attacks, the spread of radical ideology, and the recruitment of foreign fighters.
The U.S. military operations in Africa since 9/11 have primarily focused on counter-terrorism efforts. These operations have been conducted in countries such as Somalia, Libya, and Niger. The goals of these operations have been to disrupt and dismantle terrorist networks, prevent the spread of extremism, and enhance regional security.The U.S. intelligence operations in Africa since 9/11 have also primarily focused on counter-terrorism efforts. These operations have involved surveillance, reconnaissance, and gathering of intelligence. The goals of these operations have been to identify and track terrorist groups, their leaders, and their activities.
Resources
The Treasury Department Holds a CounterTerrorist Financing Symposium, Panel Two – Final.” Fair Disclosure Wire (Quarterly Earnings Reports). EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,shib&db=pwh&AN=32U1283691339FDW&site=eds-live&scope=site. Accessed 27 Feb. 2024.
Hellmuth, Dorle. “‘The Same Procedure as Every Year’: U.S. Counterterrorism Policy since 9/11.” Humanitas (10667210), vol. 34, no. 1/2, Jan. 2021, pp. 29–54. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.5840/humanitas2021341/23.
Response #2 (Joshua): Al Qaeda and other terror groups operating in Africa pose significant threats to regional stability, civilian populations, and international security. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Al-Shabaab, Boko Haram, and ISIS affiliates are among the most prominent terrorist organizations operating on the continent. These groups have distinct ideologies, operational tactics, and objectives, but they share a common goal of destabilizing governments, imposing their extremist ideologies, and undermining Western influence in the region. Al Qaeda affiliates, such as AQIM, have conducted numerous attacks targeting government institutions, security forces, and Western interests across North and West Africa. They often resort to tactics such as suicide bombings, kidnappings for ransom, and ambushes to further their goals. Al-Shabaab, based in Somalia, has carried out deadly attacks not only within Somalia but also in neighboring countries like Kenya, targeting civilians, government officials, and international peacekeeping forces. Boko Haram, operating primarily in Nigeria, has been responsible for mass abductions, suicide bombings, and brutal attacks on civilian populations, particularly in the northeastern part of the country. ISIS affiliates in Africa, such as ISIS-West Africa Province (ISIS-WA) and ISIS-Somalia, have also emerged as significant threats, leveraging local grievances and exploiting existing conflicts to expand their influence and carry out acts of terrorism. Despite these efforts, several challenges persist in U.S. counter-terrorism efforts in Africa. One major challenge is the vast and diverse terrain of the continent, which makes it difficult to track and target terrorist groups effectively. Additionally, weak governance, corruption, and porous borders in some African countries exacerbate security vulnerabilities and provide safe havens for terrorist operatives. Limited resources, competing priorities, and political instability in certain regions further complicate counter-terrorism efforts.
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