M4D1: Terrorism and American Security Policy

38655M4D1: Terrorism and American Security Policy

Terrorism, as Kydd and Walter make clear in their analysis, is a tactic which exploits “costly signaling” as a weapon of the weak. In this activity, we explore the vulnerabilities of democracies in particular to this strategy and the range of options democratic societies possess to combat this threat.

When you have completed this activity, you will be able to:

Discuss the origins and significance of terrorism as a global phenomenon (CO#2).
Explain the strategies employed by terrorist organizations and the range of policy options available to democratic societies (CO#5)
Initial Posting

Please respond to the following:

In our reading, terrorism is described as a form of “costly signaling” which is often resistant to traditional security measures like the use of force, and Kydd and Walter point out that democracies are particularly susceptible to the logic of terrorist strategy.

In your analysis, why are democracies attractive targets for terrorism? How can democratic ideals be best deployed in order to counter terrorism? In this respect, what would you identify as America’s most potent countermeasures to the threat of terrorism?

Module 4 Reading:

Module Notes: Terrorism and American National Security
Byman, D. (2015). Beyond Counterterrorism. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. Foreign Affairs, 94(6), 11-18.
Kydd, A. H., & Walter, B. F. (2006). The Strategies of Terrorism. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. International Security, (1). 49.