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CHAPTER XXIX
COUNTER TERRORISM
INTRODUCTION:
In the previous chapter "Terrorism" was discussed in the most important
points in regards with the matter of terrorism. Now let us see what must be the
government's and the Security Forces answer to the threat of terrorism.
GENERAL FACTS:
There is no country in the world that does not have or could have the threat
of terrorism. The act of terrorism is very simple to carry out, but the operations
of counter terrorism are not so simple. Counter terrorism requires preparation,
training and a special execution: A failure will result in the loss of innocent
lives and possibly a victory for the terrorists. Above all, the counter terrorist
operations demand good military intelligence cooperation.
THE FIVE COMPONENTS OF A COUNTER TERRORIST PROGRAM:
a. In this space we will discuss the government actions against the
terrorist activities. Before we start to discuss the components of a counter
terrorist program we must mention the terrorists' goal and the fundamental threat
of terrorism to governments.
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1) Question: What is the terrorists' goal? And what is the government's
goal?
Answer: Terrorists wish to obtain the popular support for their
movement. The government wishes to keep the popular support on their side.
2) Question: Taking this terrorists' and government's goal into
consideration, Who could remember what is the fundamental threat of terrorism to
governments?
Answer: Terrorism will give the urban insurgent a method to develop the
potential for mass uprising and give the rural insurgent a method to oblige them
to reduce the control of the government and to force them into the desired
behavior.
b. A government's answer to the acts of terrorism could cause even more
problems if the government does not follow the procedures of a good program of
counter terrorism. For that reason it must analyze carefully the needs of a good
program of counter terrorism to avoid making exactly what the terrorists wish.
c. Basically, there are five components of the counter terrorism program:
1) PREDICTION: It includes the intelligence operations, and the work of
analyzing the threat, the terrorists' power, and the most vulnerable targets. Our
knowledge of the characteristics of terrorism and terrorism's strategy will be key
parts in this job. EXAMPLE:
"From our study of terrorism we know that there are many possible targets.
We also know that it is not possible to know WITH certainty what will be the next
terrorist's targets, but using our intelligence about the terrorists and their
goals, we could make a prediction about the most probable targets and this will
give us more possibility to protect these targets or react quickly against the
terrorists.
2) PREVENTION:
a. Eliminate the causes: It will not be possible to eliminate all the
terrorism causes, but at least a government that could show the population that
they are trying to better the society's condition will create an environment in
which it will be difficult for the terrorists to gain much popular support.
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b. DIPLOMACY: This will have much value because it will eliminate the
foreign support of terrorists and their sanctuary---but it is very difficult to
imagine that all governments will like to eliminate terrorism because some
governments are the biggest sponsors of terrorism. (What could give examples of
some countries that sponsor terrorism?)
3) DISSUASION: Block the target. Remember that terrorists like to attack
targets that are not protected. As we have discussed there are so many possible
targets for terrorists that we cannot get complete protection. But the analysis of
terrorists could show the most vulnerable targets and then we could give our
priority to those targets. Also, frequently, only in few security actions could
dissuade the terrorists.
a. Physical security
b. Personal security
c. Security Operations (OPSEC)
d. It is very possible that the best way to dissuade terrorists is to
find a high proportion of their detection, conviction and punishment.
4) PREPARATION: Preparing the government forces to react. INCLUDES:
a. Determining authority and jurisdiction
b. Planning the counter terrorism operations
c. Training the counter terrorism personnel
5) REACTION: The appropriate answer to the incident.
4. MILITARY INTELLIGENCE IN COUNTER TERRORISM:
a. We already know the five components of a counter terrorism program. In
each one of the components the military intelligence actions are essential.
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b. FUNCTIONS OF MILITARY INTELLIGENCE IN THE COUNTER TERRORISM
COMPONENTS:
1) Intelligence collection
2) Intelligence analysis
3) Intelligence dissemination
c. THE MILITARY INTELLIGENCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
1) Initiate investigations
2) Confirm information
3) Obtain information sources
4) Give advice to the Commander
d. MILITARY INTELLIGENCE JURISDICTION:
1) Each country is different and you must study the laws of the
country in which you work.
e. MILITARY INTELLIGENCE NEEDS:
1) The military intelligence needs in regards to terrorism are infinite.
You need to obtain all the information possible about the terrorists, their
targets and the surroundings in which they operate.
f. The legal aspects in regards to the terrorism acts and terrorists have
to be considered taking into account that the terrorist is a criminal and that he
wishes that the authorities initiate repressive actions. This is one of the
tactics used by them to obtain a reaction to the government and therefore
strengthen their movement.
5. TAKING HOSTAGES AND THE RESCUE OPERATION:
Since hostage taking is the most difficult type of situation, we will
discuss a rescue operation in a hostage taking situation to show some details of
the government's reaction to the acts of terrorism.
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In this situation it is very important that the government have an
appropriate reaction. The use of too much force could be worst than any reaction.
Remember that often the terrorist's goal is to provoke the government to use
inappropriate force. This is especially important in hostage taking cases. In such
a situation the government will have to react very carefully to prevent that the
terrorists could attain their goals.
There are four rules for a rescue operation:
a. The objective is a rescue mission to save the lives of the hostages--
without giving into the impossible demands of the terrorists. In any action taken
by the security forces, this objective has importance, even when one has to escape
from some terrorists.
b. The rescue team must be of an adequate size and must only use adequate
arms to combat the situation. Having too many people in the rescue group will only
difficult the operation and give more targets to the terrorists. Always try to use
arms that are not lethal, if possible, to avoid killing the hostages.
c. It is important to obtain and use all the intelligence possible from
the terrorists, the hostages, the area, etc.
d. The rescue team must have a high degree of professionalism. It must be
well prepared to fulfill its mission.
NEGOTIATION WITH THE TERRORISTS:
a. In entering in negotiations or considering entering in negotiations
WITH the terrorists, the following are some options the government has:
1) Give into all the terrorists' demands
2) Deny all the terrorists' demands
3) Controlled negotiation so as to get additional time to take
appropriate actions.
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b. There are varied opinions and philosophies in regards to negotiations
with terrorists; the following are among them:
1) Not to negotiate under any conditions
2) To negotiate to obtain the freedom of the hostages
3) Negotiate WITH the purpose of gaining additional time to take
appropriate action.
CONCLUSION:
The counter terrorism operations are some of the most difficult and
frustrating to military personnel. But they are also some of the most common types
of operations today and could have great impact in the national life. It is
important for you, as members of military intelligence corps, to understand the
terrorist's operations their possible effects in the insurrection's war and the
counter terrorism programs that the governments could carry out to effectively
control the terrorist's threat.
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