Locate a terror incident (i.e., an act of either domestic or international terrorism) or a terror incident offender from the “Counterterrorism Guide: Historic Timeline” of the S. Office of the Director of the National Intelligence in the Learning Resources, and/or from an alternative website.
Research that act of terrorism, familiarizing yourself with any details about the offenders, the planning process, and opportunities for intervention.
Recommend opportunities where intervention could have prevented the terrorist attack.
A description of the terrorist event, including:
An explanation of precipitating events
A description of the offenders involved
Details or timeline of the attack
Victim characteristics
An explanation of the terrorists’ characteristics and behavior
An analysis of the opportunities for intervention
Analysis of the Opportunities for Intervention
Intervention opportunities existed at multiple stages of the radicalization and planning process, falling under different models of counterterrorism: behavioral, financial, and community-based.
1. Behavioral and Community Intervention (Early Stages)
These interventions address the terrorists' radicalization and recruitment before the criminal planning begins.
Social Disengagement: McVeigh and Nichols were isolated and consumed by extremist ideologies in militia and gun show circuits. Opportunities existed for family, friends, or community leaders to engage with their grievances and provide alternative, non-violent channels for political expression. Intervention could have targeted their sense of social alienation.
Intervention: Community-based initiatives (e.g., local veterans' support groups or anti-extremism mentorship programs) could have offered a sense of belonging and redirected their anger into positive activism, addressing their underlying need for significance and connection.
2. Law Enforcement/Intelligence Intervention (Mid-Stage Planning)
These opportunities involve detecting the overt actions related to preparing the attack.
Suspicious Purchasing: The bombers purchased over two tons of ammonium nitrate fertilizer and large quantities of diesel fuel. While buying fertilizer is legal, such a large, cash-based purchase, potentially by individuals fitting a risk profile, could have been flagged if counter-terrorism protocols were in place at chemical/farm supply stores.
Intervention: Private-public sector partnerships to monitor suspicious chemical purchases (known bomb components). Implementing mandatory reporting thresholds for cash purchases of certain chemicals.
Sample Answer
Try again without apps
The incident chosen for this analysis is the Oklahoma City Bombing on April 19, 1995, as it represents a significant case of domestic terrorism with clear offenders, a meticulous planning process, and documented opportunities for potential intervention.
Description of the Terrorist Event
The bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history.