Identification of Terrorist Organizations, Essay Example

A well-known religious organization is Al-Qaeda, which is best known for the terrorist attacks orchestrated by Osama Bin Laden, which led to the loss of thousands of American lives in the September 11 terrorist attacks, damaging important structures such as the pentagon and the World Trade Center in New York. Al-Qaeda is considered to be an international terrorism group. The organization is considered to be an Islamic extremist group with the goal of bringing down the power of America and restricting the freedoms held by individuals in the country. The goals to bring down America were largely successful, as homeland security and members of the general population remain in fear of the potential for future terrorist attacks in populated areas. Many restrictions have been placed on airline travel to ensure that weapons cannot be brought onto planes. The organization is now headed by Ayman al-Zawahiri, who continues to train thousands of individuals to serve as members of terrorist plots. The United States government remains concerned with the plots that organization members can potentially carry out because there is a need to protect the lives of Americans.

A second terrorist organization that is important to focus on is the Islamic State or Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant/Syria (ISIS). This organization is considered to take part in both domestic and international terrorist attacks. Currently, ISIS “controls northern parts of Iraq and the Western parts of Syria, within which it has formed its own government” (Singh, 2014). It is therefore challenging to fight this organization because many individuals consider it to be the ruling power of portions of the middle east. The organization was founded by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who has allowed the organization to commit such extreme atrocities that even Al-Qaeda condemns their actions. ISIS is comprised of individuals from across the world. Muslim extremists from a variety of nations have come together to provide support to this group. The organization is also responsible for organizing slave markets in which they sell off their captured enemies. They are also known for killing young children.

A third terrorist organization is known as the “Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia” and is also known as FARC. These individuals are domestic terrorists. This terrorist group is best known for its control of the drug trade in Colombia. There are thousands of members in this organization and the intention of this group is to use its funds to support the poor. The organization was founded in the early 1960s and primarily acts in rural parts of the country. FARC rose to power primarily due to the dissatisfaction that people have with the Colombian government and wealth class and therefore acts as a response to counteract the power that these individuals have. Even though the organization uses violence to achieve its goals, the money it raises is used to support social welfare within the country.

Overall, it is apparent that terrorist organizations form for many reasons. In the case of Al-Qaeda and ISIS, these organizations form for religious and political purposes. On the other hand, organizations like FARC form due to social inequality in their country. In spite of the reasons for which these organizations form, it is important to denounce the use of violence. However, terrorist organizations are challenging to fight without harming innocent civilians. It will therefore remain necessary to find new ways to establish political alliances that will prevent the need for terrorist groups to form. Doing so will help the world become a more peaceful place to live, and many lives will be saved as a consequence.

References

Gregg, H.S. (2011). Defining and Distinguishing Secular and Religious Terrorism. Retrieved from  http://www.terrorismanalysts.com/pt/index.php/pot/article/view/336/html

Singh, D. (2014). These 10 Terror Groups Alone Threaten The Existence Of Over A Billion People Of The World. Retrieved from http://topyaps.com/top-10-terrorist- groups-in-the-world