Question:
Describe the goals of modern terrorists and terrorist organizations, as well as the strategies and techniques employed by many terrorist organizations.
Use this response to answer the questions
In the two videos I found online of Osama Bin Laden, I found that he has made it very clear to praise Allah at the beginning of his videos. Bin Laden also makes sure to state that Allah created the heaven and earth, and that man was created in Allah's image, much like Christians state Jesus did in the bible. In the other video Bin Laden also makes it clear that he believes America has wrongfully labeled most of the Middle East as terrorists. In both these videos Bin Laden is very serious to make sure the viewers of the videos know that he believes his points are 100% correct. Reading the subtitles of the video, you can also tell that Bin Laden is in fact very educated when it comes to speaking. In the first video I watched it seems that Bin Laden is almost trying to persuade the American viewer that he is right. He doesn't kick down the American viewer or refer to them as stupid in the beginning. He states that America is the world's greatest economic power, and has the best military. But despite all that, that Allah allowed the hijackers to crash into the twin towers. He also explains in the second video how America has wrongfully labeled him and his people terrorist.
As I stated above, Bin Laden states that Allah is the creator of all. Much like most people in America has heard Jesus Christ did. (I say this because most of America clams Christianity. No disrespect to any classmate's beliefs.) He also states that by the grace of Allah, the hijackers were able to pull off the attack. He does not want anyone undermining his faith. If I were a Muslim Al Qaeda supporter, this would no doubt strengthen my faith. The feeling of "Allah really is listening!" would be over welling and make me want to help support Al Qaeda in any way possible. As I also said before, it seems Bin Laden isn't trying to insult the American people. But trying to educate them on his point of view. He seems to be trying to educate our people that the news and our leaders have led us to believe false information about the Middle East and his people. His videos to me feel as if he is trying to persuade me to his side of thinking than just calling me a stupid/dumb American.
Thinking as a homeland security and emergency management professional, I could see how these tapes could be used as a recruitment video for Al Qaeda as well. The best way to show the American people that this is a dictator and evil man would be to show quotes from his videos next to similar quotes in Hitler's, and Stalin's speech's. Most Americans see these two men as bad/evil. Comparing them to someone as hated as Hitler would help counter the effects of these propaganda like tapes.
Reflective Summary: Review and reflect on the Terrorist Goals and Stereotypes Discussion Board. Based on your review and reflection of new learning in this course, write at least 400-600 words on the following:
What have you learned from others'' responses?
What were the most compelling points from the interaction with your fellow students?
How did participating in this discussion help in your understanding of the Discussion Board task?
What approaches could have yielded additional valuable information in the students'' networking?
What is still unclear after the discussion with your classmates that needs to be clarified?