Terrorist Events
Analyzing Whether Global and Domestic Terrorism Can Be Stopped
Eliminating global and domestic terrorism is highly improbable because of embedded ideology and political and social drivers that cause individuals to resort to terrorism. However, effective intelligence, global cooperation, and more effective counterterrorism measures can drastically minimize attack frequency and impact. Counteracting root causes, political unrest, inequality, as well as radicalization is key to preventing terrorism at its source: Terrorist Events.
Education, awareness, and engagement with the populace can also help deter individuals from being influenced by extremist ideologies (Stevens, 2025). Technology, as well as monitoring, have enhanced counterterrorism measures, though terrorist tactics are in a state of ongoing development, making complete threat elimination a difficult endeavor. A balanced approach with a mix of short-term measures in terms of security and long-term social solutions is the ideal approach to minimize terrorism.
Comparison of Two Terrorist Events
The 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings and the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing both involved domestic terrorism that caught America by surprise but differed in motivations and execution. The Oklahoma City bombing was a terrorist operation masterminded by radical anti-government extremist Timothy McVeigh that involved a truck bomb in a government complex that killed 168 (Troy, 2023). The 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings, in turn, involved a terrorist operation by radicalized Islamic extremist brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev that involved homemade pressure cooker devices that killed three as well as injured hundreds (Pollina,2024).
While both sought to cause terror, McVeigh targeted the federal government in a quest for revenge, with the two brothers acting in defense of jihadist ideology. The Oklahoma City bombing entailed a single massive assault, with multiple devices having been used in the Boston bombings and later engaged in a search. The two terrorist activities have seen enhanced measures in terms of security, with Oklahoma City influencing anti-terrorism laws as well as Boston highlighting risks from home-grown radicalization. The two terrorist activities portray the varied reasons why terrorism is carried out as well as its dynamic character over time.
References
Pollina, M. W. (2024). The Boston marathon handbook: An insider’s guide to training for and succeeding in the ultimate road race. Rowman & Littlefield.
Stevens, D. (2025). A little less conversation, a little more action: Schools and the prevention of violent extremism through reasoned engagement. Theory and Research in Education. https://doi.org/10.1177/14778785241309278
Troy, J. (2023). No victims without sacrifice, no sacrifice without victims: Conceptualizing violence and the “Oklahoma City Bombing.” Society. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12115-023-00889-y
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Question
Week 8 Discussion
Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:
- Textbook: Chapter 32
- Lesson
- Minimum of 1 scholarly source from the Chamberlain Library resources below:
- Sources for the Week 8 Discussion are available by accessing this link.Links to an external site.
- The “Popular Data Bases” within the Library Guide for scholarly sources and videos via Search Popular History DatabasesLinks to an external site. or the History Library GuideLinks to an external site..

Terrorist Events
Initial Post Instructions
In preparation for the initial post, consider two (2) terrorist activities from the 1980s until today. You may also choose from domestic terrorist attacks. Here is a starting point:
- 1983: The United States Embassy in Beirut and Kuwait is bombed.
- 1983: Bombing of US Marine barracks in Beirut
- 1993: World Trade Center Bombing (first time)
- 1995: Oklahoma City Bombing
- 1998: United States Embassy bombings Nairobi and Sar Es Salaam
- 2001: 9/11 Bombing of the World Trade Centers
- 2001: Bio Terrorism begins (anthrax letters and Bill Gates’s warnings on bioterrorism)
- 2013: Boston Marathon Bombings
- 2015: Charleston Church shooting (Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church)
- 2016: Orlando Pulse Nightclub shooting
- 2018: Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting
- 2019: El Paso shooting (Walmart)
- 2022: Buffalo shooting (Tops Supermarket)
Then, in one (1) to two (2) paragraphs, address two (2) of the following:
- Explain if you think that global and domestic terrorism can be stopped.
- Analyze whether the United States should be the world’s “policeman.”
- Assess if using military or police force is the only way to prevent terrorism. Are there other possible alternatives? Which strategy is best and why?
- Discuss the ways American society has changed since 9/11 in the realms of our government, workplace, and society in general.
- Analyze two terrorist events from this list or from other modern terrorist events. How do they compare and/or contrast?
