Week 7 HSE-299 Peer Responses

No less than 5 sentences.
Think of your responses in terms of a contribution to a dialogue, not a writing exercise or chat room. Elaborate a single idea and keep your post short but succinct as if you were holding a conversation with your classmate(s).

Pearl: We have covered multiple terrorist organizations over the last 8 weeks in class. The most interesting group that I discovered and recently mentioned is Boko Haram. Boko Haram is based in northeastern Nigeria and is considered a jihadist extremist group. This terrorist organization ideology is structuring Nigeria as an Islamic region. Boko Haram seeks to replace any Western values and place Islamic education instead. Boko Haram also does not agree with Nigeria government because they feel that it is corrupt and does not follow the Islamic Law (Sharia). This group demonstrates many different terrorism activities. Acts such as suicide bombings, mass killings, ambushes, kidnappings, and money laundering are all tactics that are used to achieve their goal and get their message out. Their main targets would be civilian population, worshipping places, schools, public gathering, and small armed forces. Since I have learned different avenues they take to gain funding and overthrow Nigeria’s government, plans could potentially be made to predict their moves in the future. Having the knowledge of them using carriers to move money across the border, I would provide more military force on these borders and better checkpoints. I also learned that they use elderly and disabled people to beg for money, more street patrol could potentially predict their money activity as well. As far as the attacks and knowing what they have already targeted and why is very vital information. This involves a lot of data analysis and really studying because it gives more insight of what targets could be next on their agenda. Having international cooperation could also help predict their future activities since they move across borders. Lastly, community engagement could be huge in our predictions. Understanding and listening to the root of why Boko Haram is still existing and attacking would provide knowledge of their upcoming moves.

References

Nctc. (n.d.-a). 
National Counterterrorism Center: Groups. National Counterterrorism Center | Groups. https://www.dni.gov/nctc/groups/boko_haram.html

U.S. Department of State. (2023, July 6). 
Foreign terrorist organizations – united states department of state. U.S. Department of State. https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/

Ryan: The New People’s Army is the militant arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines, aiming to establish a communist state through a protracted people’s war against the perceived oppressive government and its allies. Their Maoist ideology and tactics range from guerrilla warfare, bombings, and assassinations, to extortion and recruitment of child soldiers. With strong rural support, they seek to create “red zones” of control. Their activities depend on the political climate, with government oppression or corruption increasing their support base. Economic inequality can also fuel their recruitment efforts. The outcome of peace negotiations with the government significantly affects their actions.

Additionally, international actors, like the U.S. and China, play a crucial role in escalating or resolving conflicts. Despite crackdowns, the NPA demonstrates adaptability, suggesting a persistent challenge for the Philippine government. Therefore, its activities will likely continue to be influenced by these factors. Analyzing the New People’s Army can help predict their future actions. Political unrest and corruption may boost their activities, while government reforms could decrease their influence. Poor socio-economic conditions can foster NPA recruitment, so improving these conditions might reduce their appeal. The success or failure of peace talks will greatly impact NPA’s actions. Lastly, through military aid or peace negotiations, international involvement can escalate or help resolve conflicts with the NPA.

References 

Aaron Morris. (2016). Counterinsurgency in Paradise : Seven Decades of Civil War in the Philippines. Helion and Company.

Martin, G.  (20200717). Understanding Terrorism: Challenges, Perspectives, and Issues,  7th Edition. [[VitalSource Bookshelf version]].  Retrieved from vbk://9781544375885