Form groups of 4-5 students. Decide on whether you would like to research on 1) transnational terrorism or 2) cybersecurity threats

Research and find a case study that showcase the security threat. Attach the link of the article that you have found on the case study

Answer the guiding questions regarding the case study found in the post below.

Why is the case study that your group has selected an example of transnational terrorism / cybersecurity threats? (i.e. What are some characteristics in the case study that fulfill the definition of the security impacts?)

Is this case study carried out by an organisation, individual or country?

How do the drivers of globalisation (from Chap 8) enable the case study to happen?

What is the impact of this case study on:

• Individuals

• Businesses

• Government/Society?

we chose the 9/11 attacks. The 9/11 attacks are a prime example of transnational terrorism because they involved planning and execution across international borders

it was carried out by Al-Qaeda which is a transnational organisation. This makes the attacks an example of terrorism that transcends national boundaries and is directed at targets in multiple countries

interconnectedness facilitated the case by providing the tools and infrastructures for the attacks

individuals: suffered PTSD

businesses: affected the financial markets

govt: injected new urgency into INS' mission and initiated another shift in the United States' immigration policy

An Islamic extremist group hijacked 4 American commercial airline planes and deliberately crashed them straight into two symbols of American power, the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, to weaken the US' power and spread their religious and political influence. This caused the deaths of hundreds of people and injured many more.

The September 11th attacks were orchestrated by an Islamic extremist organization from the Middle-East, mainly Pakistan, called Al-Qaeda.

Developments in international transportation which allowed for commercial planes to cross international waters which is what allowed for the hijackers to enter US air space.

This incident affected the government as they have to spend more money to implement tighter security measures and rebuild damaged infrastructure. This affects the quality of life for individuals as certain roads, pathways can be blocked off due to repairs, as well as the families of victims of the attacks. Businesses near the area are also affected as less people would frequent the areas due to inconvenience and fear for their own safety. This would cause people to develop stereotypes for people from the Middle-East, and those of Islamic faith so as to be more cautious of future terrorist attacks, sparking racism and hate crimes against that minority in the US.

The case study that we have chosen is 9/11. It is an example of transnational terrorism as the perpetrators were from various Middle Eastern countries, however, 9/11 and its subsequent attacks occurred in the US. It lead to 3,000 deaths, 25,000 injured as well as property damage amounting to US$10 billion.

The perpetrators were part of the Al-Qaeda, a transnational terrorist organisation, which coordinated the attacks with the motive of taking revenge against US for its military involvement in the the Middle East.

Growth of MNCs results in the movement of people and goods across the globe. Terrorist organisations, such as Al-Qaeda can tap into these international trade networks to fund their operations, whether that be through smuggling or illicit trafficking. They can also exploit global networks and developments in digital technology to traffic arms and people, allowing them to recruit more members and expand their reach and influence

Individuals: People of similar religious and ethnic backgrounds as the members of Al-Qaeda may be viewed with distrust, suspicion and even hatred, even if they do not associate themselves with Al-Qaeda’s extremist beliefs

Businesses: Bizs invested more money into compliance to ensure that illegal activites and suspicious transactions were not occurring. Following the events of 9/11, airlines feared that similar attacks could be carried out with the use of air travel, and hence implemented stricter rules and measures to maximise the safety of air travel

Government/society: Government and society will have to re-evaluate their relations with countries that are associated with the perpetrators, which in this case is the Al-Qaeda and its associated Middle Eastern countries.

The case study that our group has selected shows one of the first country to come under the attack from this modern form of hybrid warfare. The article says, "cash machines and online banking services were sporadically out of action; government employees were unable to communicate with each other on email; and newspapers and broadcasters suddenly found they couldn't deliver the news.." This attack was targeted to government, banks, and media outlets. The aim to disrupt essential services and create chaos. 

"The 2007 attacks came from Russian IP addresses, online instructions were in the Russian language" "But there is no concrete evidence that these attacks were actually carried out by the Russian government." "suggested the attack "was orchestrated by the Kremlin, and malicious gangs then seized the opportunity to join in and do their own bit to attack Estonia"." Some individuals including a student in Tallinn but no direct connections to any government.

The widespread use of internet in Estonia and lack of cyber defenses made it easy for the individuals to hack into the system.

In 2007 the Estonian government decided to move the Bronze Soldier from the centre of Tallinn to a military cemetery on the outskirts of the city.

The decision sparked outrage in Russian-language media and Russian speakers took to the streets. Protests were exacerbated by false Russian news reports claiming that the statue, and nearby Soviet war graves, were being destroyed. (Individuals) Online services of Estonian banks, media outlets and government bodies were taken down by unprecedented levels of internet traffic. cash machines and online banking services were sporadically out of action; government employees were unable to communicate with each other on email; and newspapers and broadcasters suddenly found they couldn't deliver the news. (Businesses) On 26 April 2007 Tallinn erupted into two nights of riots and looting. 156 people were injured, one person died and 1,000 people were detained. (society??)