Study guide
Topic:
Terrorism I
Lecturer:
Introduction to the topic:
There will be two lectures dealing with the threat of terrorism, both being more regionally oriented. The first one is focused on Europe which has experience with various forms of terrorism. During the Cold War, left-wing terrorism was motivated by Communist ideology (Red Brigades, Red Army Faction) and by the struggle for national identity (IRA in the United Kingdom and ETA in Spain). Since the 1990s, so-called Islamist terrorism has gradually come to the fore. Yet while Europe was perceived as a sanctuary by Algerian terrorists and even by al-Qaeda in the 1990s, it has become a target of al-Qaeda and its affiliates mainly since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The attacks in Europe were motivated by individual states' involvement in the invasion or by other events that al-Qaeda interpreted as the violation of the so-called "covenant of security" (the covenant had previously constituted an ideological obstacle for attacks against Europe). From al-Qaeda’s perspective, Europe has violated this "covenant" by publishing cartoons that were perceived as an insult or even an attack against Islam, by arresting Muslims, closing mosques, banning burqas or by adopting other steps perceived as discriminatory against Muslims living in Europe. The threat of terrorism in Europe further increased with the rise of the so-called Islamic State, which carried out several attacks in European capitals. At the same time, thousands of Europeans decided to travel to the self-proclaimed caliphate to join the Islamic State or they were inspired by its ideology and carried out an attack as lone actors. In paralel to Islamist terrorism, Europe has witnessed an increase in right-wing (so-called neo-fascist) terrorism motivated by xenophobia and Islamophobia, but also homophobia. In addition to this, there are some new forms of left-wing terrorism including eco-terrorism or attacks against the symbols of technological progress which ale motivated also by belief in conspiracy theories.
Instructions for the seminar here
Required sources:
1. KOSÁROVÁ, Dominika. Terrorism I (presentation)
2. Europol. European Union Terrorism Situation and Trend Report 2023. (only “Terrorism in Europe in 2022: An Overview”, pp. 9-16) Available here
Additional sources:
1. UPSHAW, Charles A. Threats to peace in Ireland. In: Per Concordiam. GCMC, vol. 7, no. 4/2016, pp. 42-47. Available here
Sources for your leisure time:
KEEFE, Patrick Radden. Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland (non-fiction bestseller)
Documentary movie: I, Dolours (2018)
Movie: The Hamburg cell (UK, 2004) - more on imdb