Affiliations between Domestic Terrorists and Transnational Terrorists

Difference between Domestic Terrorism and Transnational Terrorism

As defined by (Presley, 1996), domestic terrorism, which is also referred to as homegrown terrorism, is a type of terrorism whereby victims of a terrorist act are targeted by an executioner who has the same citizenship as the victims. On the other hand, transnational terrorism refers to actions in which executioners, victims, and sites of violence represent different nationalities and states (Crenshaw, 2020).

Terrorist Group that Fits the Classification of Transnational Terrorism

The terrorist group that fits the classification of transnational terrorism is Al-Qaeda, which is a transnational militant organization established in 1988 by Abdullah Azzam, Osama Bin Laden, and various other Arab volunteers (Bergen, 2006). Al-Qaeda has attacked military and non-military targets in several nations, including the U.S. September 11 attacks, the U.S. Embassy bombings in 1998, the Madrid bombing in 2004, and the Bali bombing in 2002.

Affiliations between Al-Qaeda and Domestic Terrorist Groups

Al-Qaeda operatives collaborate with members of domestic terrorist groups because both groups have a shared common goal, which is to destroy citizens’ sense of security in places they are most familiar with. Members of Al-Qaeda work with domestic terrorist groups to recruit more perpetrators (Venhaus, 2010). Domestic terrorist groups provide private information about citizens to Al-Qaeda, such as citizens’ phone numbers, Twitter handles, or Facebook names. Al-Qaeda then uses the information to recruit potential perpetrators by sending friend requests on Facebook, following citizens on Twitter, and sending direct messages on WhatsApp.

Additionally, Al-Qaeda seeks help from domestic terrorist groups to spreads propaganda in various ways, such as publishing a magazine or pamphlet with threats several times a year or through social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

How the Affiliations between Al-Qaeda relate to Terrorist Cells, Chain Networks, and Terrorist Organization Models.

            Al-Qaeda operatives extend their reach to pursue their objectives through a network of terrorist cells. Terrorist cells are among the strategies that terrorist organizations utilize to mitigate potential risk: by dividing a broader terrorist movement or organization into several semi-independent or completely independent smaller units (Jackson, 2012). By doing this, Al-Qaeda limits the effects that the disruption or discovery of one unit will have on the group as a whole.

Heightened local autonomy and inter-organizational co-operation in the networked structure widens Al-Qaeda’s potential to explore, which renders it a more inventive group. Although Al-Qaeda is in a good position for vicissitude because it is well networked, it needs to be able to exploit and absorb notions, expertise, and information efficiently.

Al-Qaeda follows a chain of networks. Al-Qaeda is an infrastructural organization that has a sub-departmental division, a formal echelon, a hierarchy, and the distribution of duties reflecting the qualities of a terrorist organization and guerilla (Gunaratna & Oreg, 2010).  Al-Qaeda has a primary command apparatus, as well as individuals who fill more significant positions within its hierarchy from its establishment in 1988 to date (Gunaratna & Oreg, 2010).  Al-Qaeda operatives also share skills, resources, and discuss strategies that revolve around their planned attacks.

References

Bergen, P. L. (2006). The Osama bin Laden I Know: An Oral History of al Qaeda’s Leader. Simon and Schuster.

Crenshaw, M. (2020). Rethinking Transnational Terrorism. United States Institute of Peace.

Gunaratna, R., & Oreg, A. (2010). Al Qaeda’s organizational structure and its evolution. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 33(12), 1043-1078.

Jackson, B. A. (2012). Terrorist cells. The Wiley‐Blackwell Encyclopedia of Globalization.

Jones, C. (2006). Al-Qaeda’s innovative improvisers: Learning in a diffuse transnational network. Cambridge Review of International Affairs, 19(4), 555-569.

Presley, S. M. (1996). Rise of Domestic Terrorism and Its Relation to United States Armed Forces, Executive Summary.

Venhaus, J. M. (2010). Why youth join al-Qaeda. US Institute of Peace.