Terrorism and Political Violence Questions
ANSWER
Unit 4: Imperfect Intelligence and Military Action
Imperfect intelligence about a potential adversary’s capabilities and intentions in obtaining and using a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) can lead to significant problems. This lack of accurate information can result in miscalculations, misinterpretations, and the potential for overreaction or underestimation of the threat. It becomes challenging to make informed decisions regarding preemptive military actions or diplomatic solutions.
The three views provided in the textbook present different approaches to when it’s appropriate to take military action in self-defense:
- Strict Constructionist School: This view emphasizes adhering strictly to the principles of international law and requiring clear evidence of an imminent threat before engaging in military action.
- Unilateralist School: The unilateralist school believes in acting preemptively based on perceived threats, even without direct evidence, to safeguard national security.
- Reasonable Necessity School: This view advocates for a middle ground, suggesting that military action should be taken only when there is a reasonable and proportionate necessity to protect national security.
I align myself with the Reasonable Necessity School because it balances the imperative of self-defense with the importance of avoiding unnecessary aggression. It considers the need for strong evidence before taking military action but also acknowledges that situations may arise where preemptive measures are warranted.
Unit 6: Response to Biological Attack
In the event of a widespread biological attack, as a decision-maker, I would need to address the challenges of mass hysteria, psychosomatic behavior, and vaccination refusal. Two models of public health response can be considered: coercive and cooperative.
- Coercive Response: In this model, authorities would enforce measures like mandatory hospitalization, vaccination, and quarantine. While it could control the situation faster, it might infringe on individual rights and lead to resistance.
- Cooperative Response: This approach would rely on communication, education, and cooperation. It might take longer to achieve control but could reduce panic and foster better public compliance.
Decontamination after a bioterrorism event involves cleaning and removing hazardous agents. The process is crucial to prevent further spread and minimize health risks. Tracking the population is essential to identify infected individuals, manage the outbreak, and allocate resources effectively.
Unit 8: Likelihood of CBRN Terrorism Attack
I lean towards the pragmatism school of thought regarding the likelihood of a CBRN terrorist attack. Pragmatism considers both the potential for threats and the practical measures in place to prevent them. The influence of heuristics and biases on this perspective can vary, with a focus on evidence-based assessment rather than extreme optimism or pessimism.
Quantitative risk assessment would indeed be helpful in determining the likelihood of a CBRNE attack. This approach provides a systematic evaluation of risks based on data, helping to allocate resources efficiently and prioritize preventive measures.
In the context of the war on terror, political, philosophical, and religious perspectives influence actors’ perceptions of risk. These factors shape their strategies, decisions, and approaches to security measures. Future technologies may impact nonproliferation treaties and calculations by introducing new methods of attack and defense, demanding ongoing adaptation and reevaluation of risk assessments.
Reflection writing allows for a deeper engagement with course materials, encouraging critical thinking and the application of theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios. It provides a platform to explore complex issues from multiple angles and refine one’s understanding of the subject matter.
QUESTION
Description
unit 4
Instructions
Based on your reading, discuss the problem caused by imperfect intelligence about a potential adversary’s capabilities and intentions in obtaining and using a WMD. Review the three views given in the textbook of when it is appropriate to take military action in self-defense. Which camp do you fall in? Why?
Your journal entry must be at least 200 words. No references or citations are necessary.
the three are
the strict constructionist school
the unilateralist school
the reasonable necessity school
unit 6
Instructions
Your textbook describes the challenges and mass hysteria that would be present in a widespread biological attack. It also discusses the different ways that people might react. Some will take themselves to the hospital because they become psychosomatic, clogging the hospital with unnecessary walk-in patients. On the other hand, others will refuse to be vaccinated and will risk spreading the biological agent.
In addition, watch this short video segment on Responsible Reporting of a Bioterrorism Attack (Segment 10 of 15) to get a better insight about response to a hypothetical bioterrorism attack on a U.S. city.
Click here to view the video.
Click here to view the video transcript.
In this environment, what would you do if you were the decision-maker following a widespread biological attack? Contrast the two models of public health response discussed in the textbook (coercive and cooperative) to a bioterrorism attack, and describe how they might be employed in a bioterrorism attack response. Explain the process of decontamination and how it impacts a bioterrorism event and the importance of tracking a bioterrorism attack on the population.
Your assignment must be at least two pages in length and in APA style. You are required to use at least one outside source besides the textbook. All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying APA citations. Ensure that your assignment begins with an introduction.
unit 8
Instructions
In one of this unit’s case studies from your textbook, “Predicting Peril of the Peril of Prediction? Assessing the Risk of CBRN Terrorism,” Gregory Koblentz discusses three different schools of thought regarding the likelihood of a CBRN terrorist attack: optimism, pessimism, and pragmatism. He further asserts that heuristics and biases play a role in which school of thought a layperson or an expert might fall into.
Which school of thought do you fall into? What heuristics and biases do you think have influenced your opinion? Is there anything that you found in this reading that has made you question or rethink your opinion? Would a quantitative risk assessment be helpful in determining the likelihood of a terrorist chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or high-yield explosive (CBRNE) attack in the United States?