Search

Incidents of terrorism in the 1990's have led to growing debates about an emerging new form of terrorism. Although, the new terrorism is evident across the world and across a range of religious groups, including the Christian Identity Group and the Japanese Aum Shinrikyo, my analysis will primarily focus on Islamic fundamentalism. In this paper, the argument is that there is a new form of terrorism, one that is more religious in nature. Terrorism has a long history and it has evolved over time to shape the new terrorism. First, I will look at the definition of terrorism as reported by government agencies and the general understanding of this phenomenon. Next, I will discuss what constitutes the old terrorism was and its leftist, fascist, revolutionary and anti-colonialist and Communist nature. Then, I will describe what the new terrorism is and how it is more religious in nature. This will lead to the examination of the history of Islam, followed by the political and social developments in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iran and Europe that have contributed to the rise of Islamic fundamentalism. Next, I will examine the new form of funding for terrorism. Subsequently, I will consider the effects of globalization, democratization and Westernization on the new terrorism. I will then consider the global war on terrorism in the greater context of the Middle East. Finally, I will look at al-Qaeda and the global jihadist movement. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]