What are the targets of Al-Qaeda?5 answersAl-Qaeda primarily targets Western infrastructure and population centers, particularly high-profile economic and commercial centers such as hotels, banks, and energy infrastructure. The energy sector, in particular, is a target due to the West's and Saudi Arabia's dependence on oil. Al-Qaeda's focus is on prominent political, economic, and infrastructure targets with the goal of producing mass casualties, visually dramatic destruction, significant economic aftershocks, and fear among the US population. Islamic fanatics have also targeted countries in the Western Balkans as part of their aim to expand radical Islam into South East Europe, Western Europe, and the US. Al-Qaeda continues to target not only the interests of the United States but also its allies and supporters worldwide, demonstrating remarkable regenerative and adoptive capabilities.
How can the international criminal court contribute to fight terrorism financing?5 answersThe International Criminal Court (ICC) can contribute to the fight against terrorism financing by prosecuting individuals and entities involved in financing terrorist activities. By holding them accountable for their actions, the ICC can deter others from providing financial support to terrorist groups. Additionally, the ICC can work in collaboration with other international stakeholders such as the United Nations Security Council and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to develop and implement comprehensive strategies to combat terrorism financing. This can include the establishment of dedicated anticorruption courts and the implementation of measures to obtain and report accurate beneficial owner information when funds are transmitted internationally. The ICC can also complement existing domestic institutions by providing a legal framework for private litigants to commence civil actions and recover damages from those involved in corruption and terrorist financing. Overall, the ICC's involvement can contribute to a multilateral response to terrorism financing and help disrupt the financial networks that support terrorist activities.
What is the future for Syria?5 answersThe future for Syria remains uncertain and grim. The conflict, which has already lasted for almost two years, shows no signs of resolution. The opposition groups in Syria are weak, and there are differences between moderate and extremist forces within them. The funding and arming of the opposition, as well as the humanitarian aid provided to Syrian refugees, are also sources of concern. The involvement of Arab Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and Qatar, further complicates the situation. An arms race is already taking place, which could escalate the conflict. The Syrian crisis is a result of the failure of nationalization projects and the inability to create a unified national identity. The reconstruction of politics in Syria requires an inclusive post-conflict multi-communitarian agreement that protects political plurality and communal diversity. However, the devastation of civil war and the deepening fragmentation of Syrian society make the prospects for democracy uncertain.
What is the definition of foreign fighters?5 answersForeign fighters are individuals from abroad who join insurgencies or armed conflicts in foreign lands. They have been a common occurrence throughout modern history, fighting on behalf of causes ranging from international communism to aggrieved ethnic groups. The term "foreign fighter" has been widely associated with militant Islamists, but it is not limited to them. The definition of foreign fighters is not universally agreed upon, and there is no comprehensive analysis of their status in armed conflicts. However, the recent increase in the number of foreign nationals participating in conflicts has attracted scholarly attention. Existing international humanitarian law may not be fully prepared to address the challenges posed by foreign fighters in armed conflicts.
How can the fusion of HUMINT and big data analytics aid in analyzing foreign terrorist fighters?3 answersThe fusion of HUMINT and big data analytics can aid in analyzing foreign terrorist fighters by utilizing data mining and machine learning techniques to acquire valuable information about predicted attacks and attackers. This integration can help governments and intelligence agencies make pre-emptive strikes against terrorist groups quickly and over a short period of time. By applying fusion of information and analytics technologies (FIAT), decision support systems can be developed to support the prognosis, diagnosis, and prescriptive tasks within complex systems and organizations. Additionally, the integration of HUMINT and big data analytics can address the analytical deficiencies within the intelligence community, allowing for cross-domain synchronization and integration of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets. This can enhance the analysis and production capabilities necessary for understanding and countering foreign terrorist fighters.
How is globalization contributed to the recent increase in international terrorism?5 answers