1. Medieval Ideology and 21st Century Technology: Al Qaeda, Terrorism and the Internet.
- Author
-
Fiddner, Mac
- Subjects
- *
COUNTERTERRORISM , *INTERNET , *TERRORISTS , *INTERNATIONAL relations - Abstract
Terrorists use the information system to publicize their ideology and actions, educate, recruit, solicit and distribute funds, gather intelligence, train, plan operations, disseminate disinformation, and command and control all aspects of their operations, logistics, and finances. Given the ubiquity, anonymity, and ease of access of the information system, these actions by the terrorists are a relatively inexpensive, risk free, simple, and easy. Since selective denial of service is nearly impossible without knowledge of site of origin, little can be done physically to permanently deny the terrorist access to the information system (as long as the current protocols for use exist) international relations and security practitioners are left to contend with the effects of their use. The effects run the gamut of easing the terrorist organizationâs existence and pursuit of its goals and generating sympathy and support for its cause. A better understanding of terroristsâ use of the information system will provide an advantage in the international conflict to mediate terrorism. Given the declared enmity of terrorist groups to the United States, the global war on terror is the central focus of the United Statesâ foreign policy; all other foreign policy initiatives are established to support the prosecution of the conflict against terrorism. But, the policy options of the U.S. government to counter terroristsâ use of the information infrastructure are constrained by the technical properties of the system itself, earlier policy decisions about the nature of the system, legalities, and the private unregulated ownership of the system. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2008