Political Violence and State Terrorism

State-sponsored terrorism involves a state or private group using terrorist tactics on behalf of the sponsoring state.

State terrorism is characterized by acts of violence or threats of violence aimed at achieving political goals through societal transformation or addressing perceived injustices. It targets non-combatants strategically, aiming to induce fear and control.

Clandestine state terrorism involves state agents directly carrying out terrorist tactics against those the state is supposed to protect, often under the guise of secrecy and denial.

Political violence is the use of physical force with the intent to harm individuals or their well-being, motivated by political goals.

Genocide refers to acts committed with the intent to destroy a specific national, ethnic, racial, or religious group, in whole or in part.

Political repression is the act of a state controlling its citizens by force to limit their political participation and reduce their influence. It often involves violence, legal or illegal depending on the state's laws.

Reform social movements aim for political and social changes by improving the existing order, without seeking to overthrow the system altogether.

Revolutionary movements are acts of resistance that ultimately aim to overthrow the existing system.

Violence used by a state against its own citizens or non-state actors for political purposes. It often involves oppression, repression, and human rights abuses.

The systematic and deliberate extermination of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. It involves widespread killing, deportation, and other atrocities.

A form of political violence where individuals or groups use violence against civilians or property to achieve political aims. It often involves acts of intimidation, sabotage, or assassination.

The debate centers on whether the state has a legitimate right to use violence against its citizens or other entities. This question arises when state actions resemble terrorism or genocide, blurring the lines.

A term used to describe powerful external actors who are perceived as enemies by some groups, often providing support to opposing regimes. In the context of terrorism, these entities often supply weapons, funding, and training to those who oppose them.

A term used to describe the personal struggle against temptation and sin, often referred to as the 'inner jihad.' In contrast to the 'Lesser Jihad,' which involves armed conflict for religious purposes, the 'Greater Jihad' focuses on personal spiritual development.

A period in history where political assassinations of monarchs, prime ministers, and presidents were common. It was characterized by easily movable assassins across international borders.

A type of terrorism where individuals or groups born and raised in the country they attack carry out attacks. These actors are often inspired by extremist ideologies or grievances.

The Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) emerged in 1969 following a split within the Irish Republican Army. This split stemmed from disagreements over the direction of the movement, with the official Ira favoring a more political approach and the PIRA advocating for armed struggle.

The PIRA's membership experienced a significant influx of younger, more radical individuals who were attracted to the organization's focus on armed resistance.

The PIRA's membership changed over time, with younger individuals joining during periods of heightened violence and older individuals joining during periods of relative peace.

Women have played a crucial role in Irish Republican militancy, dating back to the Cumann na mBan, a female auxiliary paramilitary force during the Irish War of Independence.

Martina Anderson, a former PIRA member, is a prominent example of women's involvement in the movement. She was convicted in 1986 for her role in bombings in England and currently serves as a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Marian and Delours Price, two PIRA members, were involved in coordinated bombings in London in 1973. Their actions and subsequent hunger strike in prison highlight the commitment and sacrifices made by women within the organization.

Ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1703-1791) was a key figure in the development of Saudi Arabia. He promoted a literalist interpretation of Islam, believing that Arabic society had declined due to Western influence and a deviation from strict Islamic principles.

The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, was a response to the decline of the Ottoman Empire and British rule in Egypt. They believed that Western influence had corrupted Islamic practices and advocated for a return to 'true' Islamic principles.

The concept of Jihad was central to the Muslim Brotherhood's ideology. They argued that Jihad was not just a physical struggle against external enemies, but also a personal duty to fight against internal corruption and deviation from true Islamic practice.

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 became a rallying cry for Jihadists worldwide. The invasion was perceived as a threat to Islam and Muslims were urged to participate in the Jihad against the Soviet forces. This marked the beginning of international Jihad movements.

Ayman al-Zawahiri and Abdullah Azzam were key figures in the international Jihad movement. They believed that the fight against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan was not just a local conflict but part of a global struggle to establish an Islamic Caliphate.

Osama Bin Laden, a prominent figure in the international Jihad movement, used the Soviet-Afghan war as a platform to expand his network and build support for his vision of a global Islamic Caliphate. He saw the United States as a key enemy in this struggle.

Al-Qaeda, a global terrorist network founded by Osama Bin Laden, was a culmination of the international Jihadist movement. The organization aimed to overthrow secular governments and establish an Islamic Caliphate, using violence and terrorism as tactics to achieve its goals.

Al-Qaeda's efforts to internationalize Jihad were met with mixed results. While they successfully expanded their influence beyond Afghanistan, their actions also led to a backlash and counter-terrorism efforts by the United States, which ultimately solidified their position as a global enemy.

The British Army used excessive force against unarmed civilians protesting for civil rights, resulting in the deaths of 14 people in Derry, Northern Ireland.

An independent inquiry into the events of Bloody Sunday, which exonerated the British Army despite evidence suggesting otherwise.

A report commissioned by the British government in 2010, which concluded that the killings on Bloody Sunday were unjustified and that the British Army had fired on unarmed civilians.

A protest strategy employed by republican paramilitary prisoners in Northern Ireland, where they refused to wear prison uniforms and engaged in other acts of defiance.

An escalation of the Blanket Protests, with prisoners refusing to wash themselves or wear clean clothing.

A change in the Provisional IRA's strategy in the mid-1970s, moving from a large, centralized structure to a smaller, decentralized, and more independent 'cellular' organization.

An era of conflict in Northern Ireland from 1972-1998 where there were consistent campaigns of violence and terrorism on both sides of the conflict.

A period of violence and attacks initiated by the Provisional IRA following the failure of truce negotiations.

The Good Friday Agreement, also known as the Belfast Agreement, was a major peace accord signed in 1998 that aimed to end the conflict in Northern Ireland known as "The Troubles."

The Good Friday Agreement was not the first attempt to bring peace to Northern Ireland. Previous agreements like the Sunningdale Agreement (1973) and the Anglo-Irish Agreement (1985) failed to achieve lasting peace.

One key factor that contributed to the success of the Good Friday Agreement was the war weariness among people in Northern Ireland. After years of violence and conflict, many people were simply exhausted and wanted peace.

A change in leadership in both the Republic of Ireland and the UK played a critical role. Albert Reynolds became President of Ireland and John Major became Prime Minister of the UK, both of whom were more committed to a peaceful resolution.

The Good Friday Agreement involved bringing both loyalists and republicans to the negotiating table, including Sinn Féin, despite their involvement in paramilitary activities. This demonstrated a willingness to engage with all sides of the conflict.

The Good Friday Agreement also benefited from international pressure. Many nations and organizations were eager to see a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Northern Ireland.

Despite its success, the Good Friday Agreement did not completely eliminate violence. Groups like the Continuity IRA, Real IRA, and New IRA emerged, posing new threats to the peace.

Studying historical cases like Northern Ireland's "Troubles" can help us understand and address new and emerging threats. We can analyze the factors that led to the conflict, the effectiveness of various responses, and the lessons learned.