The Use of Force: Hard Offensive Counterterrorism

The Use of Force: Hard Offensive Counterterrorism

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Thomas, Daniel
Language:English
Published: Wright State University / OhioLINK 2019
Subjects:
Political Science
counterterrorism
terrorism
Afghanistan
Iraq
civilian casualties
counterinsurgency
troop levels
Online Access:http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wright1566914942650583
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spelling ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-wright15669149426505832021-08-03T07:12:54Z The Use of Force: Hard Offensive Counterterrorism Thomas, Daniel Political Science counterterrorism terrorism Afghanistan Iraq civilian casualties counterinsurgency troop levels In the following research, I investigate whether hard offensive counterterrorism results in the failure or success of a counterterrorism strategy. In the second chapter, the academic literature of counterterrorism strategies is examined. Next, a hypothesis is put forth that if a hard offensive counterterrorism strategy is utilized, indicators such as high troop levels, more civilian casualties, more negative public opinion, and an increased rate of terrorism, will point to a failed counterterrorism strategy. Then, I put forth a methodology to test the hypothesis while introducing troop level databases, various public opinion polling sources, and terrorist attack databases to investigate the given variables. In the third chapter, a case study of the Iraq War is utilized, in which the initial invasion from 2003-2006 and the Surge/Withdrawal eras from 2007-2011 are examined. Both time periods are compared to see if hard offensive counterterrorism used in 2003-2006 resulted in a less effective counterterrorism campaign than the softer counterinsurgency strategies from 2007-2011. Data from the Brookings Iraq Index, Iraq Body Count, and Global Terrorism Database are then analyzed to investigate the variables of casualties, public opinion, and rate of terrorism during each era in Iraq. In the fourth chapter, the war in Afghanistan is presented as a case study. I then evaluate whether hard offensive counterterrorism used from 2001-2008 resulted in less terrorism than the counterinsurgency strategies of Surge and withdrawal used from 2009-2016. Data from the Congressional Research Service, UNAMA, Physicians for Social Responsibility, the BBC, the Asia Foundation, and the Global Terrorism Database are then utilized to assess each variable. Finally, I present my findings and conclude that evaluating a strategy primarily using hard offensive counterterrorism strategies is rather complex and then present ideas for future research in counterterrorism strategy. 2019-08-30 English text Wright State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wright1566914942650583 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wright1566914942650583 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: some rights reserved. It is licensed for use under a Creative Commons license. Specific terms and permissions are available from this document's record in the OhioLINK ETD Center.
collection NDLTD
language English
sources NDLTD
topic Political Science
counterterrorism
terrorism
Afghanistan
Iraq
civilian casualties
counterinsurgency
troop levels
spellingShingle Political Science
counterterrorism
terrorism
Afghanistan
Iraq
civilian casualties
counterinsurgency
troop levels
Thomas, Daniel
The Use of Force: Hard Offensive Counterterrorism
author Thomas, Daniel
author_facet Thomas, Daniel
author_sort Thomas, Daniel
title The Use of Force: Hard Offensive Counterterrorism
title_short The Use of Force: Hard Offensive Counterterrorism
title_full The Use of Force: Hard Offensive Counterterrorism
title_fullStr The Use of Force: Hard Offensive Counterterrorism
title_full_unstemmed The Use of Force: Hard Offensive Counterterrorism
title_sort use of force: hard offensive counterterrorism
publisher Wright State University / OhioLINK
publishDate 2019
url http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wright1566914942650583
work_keys_str_mv AT thomasdaniel theuseofforcehardoffensivecounterterrorism
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