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Terrorism and America’s Foreign Policy

Terrorism and America’s Foreign Policy. PHL 205 Contemporary Moral Issues Jeffrey Borrowdale. Why Islamic Terrorism?. Not just how individuals become radicalized Historical, sociological, anthropological question, not merely psychological

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Terrorism and America’s Foreign Policy

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  1. Terrorism and America’s Foreign Policy PHL 205 Contemporary Moral Issues Jeffrey Borrowdale

  2. Why Islamic Terrorism? • Not just how individuals become radicalized • Historical, sociological, anthropological question, not merely psychological • Must focus on terrorist movements, groups, organizations

  3. Why Understanding Islamic Extremism is Important • If you don’t know your enemy, you can’t properly defend against them • 911 Report: “They were at war with us, but we weren’t at war with them.” • Iraq Occupation • Major Hasan • FBI’s weak response to Russian warnings • Benghazi

  4. Historical Background • Rapid expansion of the Umma (Muslim community) or Caliphate (territory under Muhammad’s successor) Arabian peninsula • 1st Three Crusades by Christian West - Islamic defeat then victory under Saladin (1095-1192) • Expansion of Ottoman Empire (1354-1529) • Siege of Vienna fails

  5. Historical Background • Barbary pirates (16th - 19th Century) • Raids on European and later American ships • 1 million+ slaves taken • New U.S. Navy and Marines helped defeat (“from the shores of Tripoli...) • Europe pulls ahead in wealth and technology under modernity, classical liberalism • Middle East flounders under theocracy, ban on usary fails to embrace “Christian” ideas, ban on usury

  6. Historical Background • Ottoman empire carved up by allies after WWI, secular revolution in Turkey • Post WWI Middle East flounders under Arab socialism, military dictatorships (except Israel) • Late 30s: Oil provides wealth, modernizes, consolidates power of despots

  7. Terrorist Groups • Muslim Brotherhood (1928, Sunni - local MB groups in some countries may be publicly condemn violence) • PLO (1965, adopted Islamic ideology after pan-Arab beginnings) • Islamic Jihad (1982, Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen) • Hezbollah (1982, Shia, Lebanon) • Hamas (1987, Sunni, Palestine)

  8. Terrorist Groups • 1988 Al-Quaeda (“The Base,” Sunni) • Founded by Osama Bin Laden • Loosely affiliated movement • Responsible for Embassy attacks in Nairobi and Tanzania, 9/11 London 7/7 train bombings) • Note: Islamic law forbids harming non-combatants (esp. women and children)

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