Discussion
Ecoterrorism
Ecoterrorism refers to illegal acts committed by groups supporting environmental or related causes. Examples include spiking trees to sabotage logging operations, vandalizing a university research laboratory that is conducting experiments on animals, or firebombing a store that sells fur coats. Several incidents of domestic ecoterrorism have been attributed to special interest groups such as the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) and the Animal Liberation Front (ALF).
Infrastructure Targets
Terrorists might strike bridges, tunnels, or subways in an attempt to disrupt transportation and inflict a large number of casualties . They could also attack the public water supply or try to disable the electrical power distribution system, telephones, or the Internet. Disruption of a community’s 9-1-1 system or public safety radio network would have a very direct impact on emergency response agencies.
Symbolic Targets
Monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, or Mount Rushmore may be targeted by groups who want to attack symbols of national pride and accomplishment. Foreign embassies and institutions might be attacked by groups promoting revolution within those countries or protesting their international policies. Religious institutions or other visible icons are potential targets of hate groups. By targeting these symbols, terrorist groups seek to make people aware of their demands and create a sense of fear in the public.
Civilian Targets
Terrorists who attack civilian targets such as shopping malls, schools, or stadiums indiscriminately kill or injure the maximum number of potential victims . Their goal is to create fear in every member of society and to make citizens feel vulnerable in their daily lives. Letter bombs or letters that contain a biologic agent have a similar effect.
Cyberterrorism
Groups might engage in cyberterrorism by electronically attacking government or private computer systems. Several attempts have been made to disrupt the Internet or to attack government computer systems and other critical networks.
Agroterrorism
Agroterrorism could include the use of chemical or biologic agents to attack the agricultural industry or the food supply. The introduction of a disease such as footand- mouth to the livestock population could result in billions of dollars in losses to the food industry.
Questions
Bombing a store that sells fur coats would be an example of:
A. ecoterrorism.
B. cyberterrorism.
C. agroterrorism.
D. religious terrorism.
Disrupting or deleting government or banking computer systems is an example of:
A. ecoterrorism.
B. cyberterrorism.
C. agroterrorism.
D. religious terrorism.
Attacking a food industry or supply is an example of:
A. ecoterrorism.
B. cyberterrorism.
C. agroterrorism.
D. religious terrorism.
