To complete the assignment read the following materials:

•    Chapter 11 of The Ethics of War and Peace: An Introduction to Legal and Moral Issues
•    Terrorism, Justification and Illusion (found in the online classroom)
•    Declaration of Jihad by Osama Bin Laden against the US (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Explain whether or not you believe “terrorism” is a biased term derived by governments in power to delegitimize those with little power and if you think the use of “terrorism” is simply “war by other means”. Using the Just War tenets of “just cause,” “legitimate authority,” “last resort,” and “proportionality,” make an argument that justifies the use of terrorism by al-Qaeda. Looking at the “distinction” tenet that states that war should be directed towards enemy combatants, and not non-combatants, explain whether or not al-Qaeda is justified for targeting American civilians if it has declared “America” to be the enemy.

The paper must be two pages in length (excluding title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style. Cite all three of the required sources in text and on the reference page (you may use and cite additional references). For information regarding APA samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center, within the Learning Resources tab on the left navigation toolbar, in your online course.

Grading Rubric

Explains Whether or Not “Terrorism” is a Biased Term Derived by Governments in Power to Delegitimize Those with Little Power and if the Use of “Terrorism” is Simply “War by Other Means”
Distinguished – Comprehensively explains whether or not “terrorism” is a biased term derived by governments in power to delegitimize those with little power and if the use of “terrorism” is simply “war by other means.”  Fully supports position with scholarly sources.
Justifies the Use of Terrorism by Al Qaeda Using the Tenets of Just War Theory
Distinguished – Thoroughly justifies the use of terrorism by al Qaeda using the tenets of just war theory. Justification is supported with scholarly sources.
Explains Whether or Not al Qaeda is Justified for Targeting American Civilians through the Tenet of Distinction if it Has Declared “America” to be the Enemy
Distinguished – Thoroughly explains whether or not al Qaeda is justified for targeting American Civilians if it has declared “America” to be the enemy through the tenet of distinction. Explanation is supported with scholarly sources.
Written Communication: Control of Syntax and Mechanics
Distinguished – Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.
Written Communication: Page Requirement
Distinguished – The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages.
Written Communication: APA Formatting
Distinguished – Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.
Written Communication: Resource Requirement
Distinguished – Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Required Resources
Texts
Christopher, P. (2004). The ethics of war and peace: An introduction to legal and moral issues (3rd ed.). Upper SaddleRiver, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
•    Chapter 11: Terrorism and War
White, J. E. (2012). Contemporary moral problems: War, torture, terrorism and assassination (4th ed.). United States: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
•    “What is Wrong with Terrorism?” (in Chapter One)
•    Chapter 2: Torture
Articles
Bin Laden, O. (1996). Declaration of Jihad by Osama Bin Laden against the US (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Retrieved from http://www.terrorismfiles.org/individuals/declaration_of_jihad1.html
Smilansky, S. (2004). Terrorism, justification and illusion. Ethics, 114(4), Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/3589290
Multimedia
DailyVsNews. (2009, April 21). Ari Fleischer VS Paul Begala:Torture Interrogations (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video clip]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpdLS2GjSmk
Jbranstetter04. (2008, May 3). Osama bin Laden, Shortly After 9/11 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video clip]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkdFNLqJajM
Madhatter961. (2008, February 7). Part 1 Interview with a Terrorist Shehadeh Jawhar – Abu Omr (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video clip]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7bPacNH-zc
Petulantrumble. (2007, November 28). 11/28/07 Republican Debate – Torture (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video clip]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNf6ubjdYmc
Recommended Resources
Articles
Gray, J. M., & Wilson, M. A. (2006). Understand the ‘War on Terrorism’: Responses to 11 September 2001. Journal of Peace Research, 43(1). Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/27640248
Guantanamo Bay prosecutor quits over ethical issues (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. (2008). The Australian. Retrieved from http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/gitmo-prosecutor-quits-over-ethics/story-e6frg6tf-1111117585115
Kamm, F. M. (2004). Failures of just war theory: Terror, harm and justice. Ethics, 114(4). Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/3589285

Category: Essays