The Structure of Terror
The following are excerpts that pertain to the organizational features of terrorism. I find that there are no qualified candidates to the presidency regarding Homeland Security and a concrete ethic against violence in this country.
David Nollmeyer
Cambria CA
When examining the overall structure of terrorist groups, there are two general categories of
organization: networked and hierarchical. A terrorist group may employ either type or a
combination of the two models. Newer groups tend towards organizing or adapting
to the possibilities inherent in the network model. Ideology can have an effect on
internal organization, with strict Leninist or Maoist groups tending towards centralized
control and hierarchical structure. Within the larger structure, though, virtually all
groups use variants of cellular organizations at the tactical level to enhance security and to organize
for operations.
Terrorist groups that are associated with a political activity or organization will often require a more hierarchical structure, in order to coordinate terrorist violence with political action. It also can be necessary for a politically affiliated group to observe cease-fire agreements or avoid particular targets in support of political objectives. This can be difficult to enforce in networked organizations.
Terrorist groups can be at various stages of development in terms of capabilities and
sophistication. Newer groups with fewer resources will usually be less capable, and operate in
permissive areas or under the tutelage of more proficient organizations to develop proficiency.
Change in terrorist leadership, whether through generational transition or as a response to
enhanced security operations, may signal significant adjustments to organizational priorities
and means of conducting terrorism. Also, groups professing or associated with ethnic or nationalist agendas and limiting their operations to one country or a localized region tend to require fewer capabilities. Larger groups can coalesce from smaller organizations, or smaller
groups can splinter off from larger ones.
“There’s nothing wrong with being a terrorist, as long as you win.”
Paul Watson, Sea Shepard Conservation Society
A Military Guide to Terrorism in the Twenty-First Century 15 August 2005
3-2
Section I: Terrorist Group Structure
Levels of Commitment
There are typically different levels of commitment within an organization:
passive supporters, active supporters, cadre, and leadership. Figure 3-1 shows how each successive level of commitment has fewer members. This pyramid diagram is not intended as an organizational picture, but to show the relative number of people in each category. This image
of overall density holds true for networks as well as hierarchies. Passive supporters may
intermingle with active supporters and be unaware of what their actual relationship is to
the organization.
• Leaders provide direction and policy; approve goals and objectives; and provide overarching guidance for operations. Usually leaders rise from within the ranks
of any given organization, or create their own organization from scratch.
• Cadres are the active members of the terrorist organization. This echelon plans and conducts not only operations, but also manages areas of intelligence, finance, logistics, information operations, and communications. These activities all occur in the active membership. Mid-level cadres tend to be trainers and technicians such as bomb makers, financiers, and surveillance experts. Low-level cadres are the bombers and
similar direct action terrorists in an attack.
• Active Supporters are active in the political, fund-raising, and information activities of the group. Acting as an ally or tacit partner, they may also conduct initial intelligence and surveillance activities, and provide safehaven houses, financial contributions,
medical assistance, and transit assistance for active members of the organization. They
are usually fully aware of their relationship to the terrorist group but do not commit
violent acts.
• Passive Supporters are typically individuals or groups that are sympathetic to the announced goals and intentions of the terrorist organization, but are not committed enough to take action. They may not be aware of their precise relation to the terrorist group, and interface with a front that hides the overt connection to the terrorist group.
Sometimes fear of reprisal from terrorists is a compelling factor in passive support. Sympathizers can be useful for political activities, fund raising, and unwitting or coerced
assistance in intelligence gathering or other non-violent activities.
Terrorist groups will recruit from populations that are sympathetic to their goals. Often legitimate organizations can serve as recruiting grounds for terrorists.
Militant Islamic recruiting, for example, is often associated with the proliferation of the
radical Wahhabi sect. This recruiting is conducted on a worldwide basis via Wahhabist schools financed from both governmental and non-governmental donations and grants.128 Some recruiting may be conducted for particular skills and qualifications, and not be tied to
ideological characteristics.
Of particular concern are attempts of terrorist organizations to recruit current
or former members of the U.S. armed forces, both as trained operatives, and as agents in
place.
128 Victor N. Corpus, “The Invisible Army” (Briefing presented at Fort
Leavenworth, KS, 5 November 2002),
TRADOC ADCSINT-Threats Files, Fort Leavenworth, KS.
A Military Guide to Terrorism in the Twenty-First Century 15 August 2005
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David Nollmeyer
Cambria CA
When examining the overall structure of terrorist groups, there are two general categories of
organization: networked and hierarchical. A terrorist group may employ either type or a
combination of the two models. Newer groups tend towards organizing or adapting
to the possibilities inherent in the network model. Ideology can have an effect on
internal organization, with strict Leninist or Maoist groups tending towards centralized
control and hierarchical structure. Within the larger structure, though, virtually all
groups use variants of cellular organizations at the tactical level to enhance security and to organize
for operations.
Terrorist groups that are associated with a political activity or organization will often require a more hierarchical structure, in order to coordinate terrorist violence with political action. It also can be necessary for a politically affiliated group to observe cease-fire agreements or avoid particular targets in support of political objectives. This can be difficult to enforce in networked organizations.
Terrorist groups can be at various stages of development in terms of capabilities and
sophistication. Newer groups with fewer resources will usually be less capable, and operate in
permissive areas or under the tutelage of more proficient organizations to develop proficiency.
Change in terrorist leadership, whether through generational transition or as a response to
enhanced security operations, may signal significant adjustments to organizational priorities
and means of conducting terrorism. Also, groups professing or associated with ethnic or nationalist agendas and limiting their operations to one country or a localized region tend to require fewer capabilities. Larger groups can coalesce from smaller organizations, or smaller
groups can splinter off from larger ones.
“There’s nothing wrong with being a terrorist, as long as you win.”
Paul Watson, Sea Shepard Conservation Society
A Military Guide to Terrorism in the Twenty-First Century 15 August 2005
3-2
Section I: Terrorist Group Structure
Levels of Commitment
There are typically different levels of commitment within an organization:
passive supporters, active supporters, cadre, and leadership. Figure 3-1 shows how each successive level of commitment has fewer members. This pyramid diagram is not intended as an organizational picture, but to show the relative number of people in each category. This image
of overall density holds true for networks as well as hierarchies. Passive supporters may
intermingle with active supporters and be unaware of what their actual relationship is to
the organization.
• Leaders provide direction and policy; approve goals and objectives; and provide overarching guidance for operations. Usually leaders rise from within the ranks
of any given organization, or create their own organization from scratch.
• Cadres are the active members of the terrorist organization. This echelon plans and conducts not only operations, but also manages areas of intelligence, finance, logistics, information operations, and communications. These activities all occur in the active membership. Mid-level cadres tend to be trainers and technicians such as bomb makers, financiers, and surveillance experts. Low-level cadres are the bombers and
similar direct action terrorists in an attack.
• Active Supporters are active in the political, fund-raising, and information activities of the group. Acting as an ally or tacit partner, they may also conduct initial intelligence and surveillance activities, and provide safehaven houses, financial contributions,
medical assistance, and transit assistance for active members of the organization. They
are usually fully aware of their relationship to the terrorist group but do not commit
violent acts.
• Passive Supporters are typically individuals or groups that are sympathetic to the announced goals and intentions of the terrorist organization, but are not committed enough to take action. They may not be aware of their precise relation to the terrorist group, and interface with a front that hides the overt connection to the terrorist group.
Sometimes fear of reprisal from terrorists is a compelling factor in passive support. Sympathizers can be useful for political activities, fund raising, and unwitting or coerced
assistance in intelligence gathering or other non-violent activities.
Terrorist groups will recruit from populations that are sympathetic to their goals. Often legitimate organizations can serve as recruiting grounds for terrorists.
Militant Islamic recruiting, for example, is often associated with the proliferation of the
radical Wahhabi sect. This recruiting is conducted on a worldwide basis via Wahhabist schools financed from both governmental and non-governmental donations and grants.128 Some recruiting may be conducted for particular skills and qualifications, and not be tied to
ideological characteristics.
Of particular concern are attempts of terrorist organizations to recruit current
or former members of the U.S. armed forces, both as trained operatives, and as agents in
place.
128 Victor N. Corpus, “The Invisible Army” (Briefing presented at Fort
Leavenworth, KS, 5 November 2002),
TRADOC ADCSINT-Threats Files, Fort Leavenworth, KS.
A Military Guide to Terrorism in the Twenty-First Century 15 August 2005
technorati tags:
Censorship
Corporate History
Ethics
Homeland Security
Human Rights
Journalism
Krishna
Gaudiya Vaishnavism
ritvik
Law
Logic
Political Philosophy
environment
2008 Presidential Candidates
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