Nigerian Current Event: Boko Haram And ISIS

The Boko Haram sect in Nigeria has been a huge problem for the country in the past, and the threat is only growing. This group is considered responsible for a handful of government attacks, targets on the United Nations, and often churches who undermine the Islamic religion. Their actions have spawned from the idea that their country is controlled by “fake Muslims”, and aim to create an Islamic nation ruled with Sharia law.

As evident from the actual attacks made by this group, any move by the Al- Qaeda poses a threat to the wellness of the citizens of America. Not only did the team focus on killing people, but it also had the department of defense as a target implying that it aimed at weakening the security of the country. In open letter made by Osama bin Laden (Al-Qaeda’s leader) to the USA, he described the group’s motive to stop America from engaging in peace missions in locations where Al-Qaeda or Islamic nations are involved. According to the United States, however, finishing such missions translates to the promotion of terrorism which cannot be tolerated in the country`s aim of supporting peace missions (Michael

Islamist group is known to be having the highest degree of terrorist attack, especially among the Sunni orientated groups. Islamic terrorism is described as the post-cold war phenomena, particularly after the 911 attack, there is on average an attack every day around the world.

The main topic of this article is ISIS has become the most dangerous ,most vulnerable terrorist group in the entire history of the USA. The article is about how ISIS has been intimidating the USA in many different ways such as beheadings and suicide bombings. The only problem is that ISIS is targeting not only the Iraqi government and the American forces in Iraq but as well as Shia Muslims , Christians and increasingly, civilians of all faiths in unpredictable that include violent attacks such as the one's I mention, beheadings and suicidal bombing. The USA is mostly attacking instead of thinking over ways to intimidate and scare ISIS but the problem is that are in a place where all people can do is talk to impress others but do not act like they should be instead of wasting time on talking.

This article is about the mistreatment of people fleeing from Boko Haram who thought that the Nigerian soldiers would save them. As hundreds flee from Boko Haram claimed territories, Nigerian soldiers are picking them up and holding them as prisoners in detention centers, claiming to be trying to protect others from extremist claiming to be victims. This has lead to some accusations of mistreatment because these detention centers are holding men, women, and infants for months on end in unsanitary and unsafe areas. The article then explains that the Nigerian government and army are being accused of being too extreme in its persistence and ways of trying to eliminate Boko Haram. While Nigeria is struggling to handle the threat that is Boko Haram,

In an increasingly hostile world, the threats and list of non-state actors willing to do harm to the United States (U.S.) is only increasing daily. A little known or possibly underestimated group who poses a threat in addition to the Islamic State (IS), who has recently been the biggest concern, is Al-Shabaab (ALS). Al-Shabaab is an Al-Qaeda in the Arabia Peninsula (AQAP) and Al-Qaeda (AQ) affiliate operating in the horn of Africa. It could be suggested that ALS is an emerging threat to the U.S. due to the increased immigration to the United States from Somalia and other countries within the horn of Africa. From potential lone wolf attacks to coordinated efforts it is suggested that the U.S. mainland will at some point experience an attack planned and carried out by ALS if this group is not watched more heavily.

It sparked the need for further assistance on counterterrorism; people were terrified and needed answers as to why the United States was unable to thwart this attack. I understand and agree with where the authors of the article are coming from; they stated how most terrorist groups are not diminished by military acts, but instead by law enforcement and intelligence agencies. While military efforts can help reduce attacks in the area that military group is present, they will likely not lessen the amount of terrorist groups in the world, according to the article. The information stated in this article and the ideas explained throughout the text can be applied towards exploiting weaknesses in terrorist organizations by promoting the use of intelligence organizations and abandoning military

Boko Haram is not able to sustain its success by just its ideological interpretation. Therefore, the organization needs some source of money which comes from external sources. According to the International Business Times (2014), Boko Haram has received millions through ransoms from kidnapping. In addition, the group receives donations from external sympathizers from all around the globe (Caulderwood, para. 8). Boko Haram also has ties to Al-Qaeda as both organizations are known to have exchanged weapons, cash, and some soldiers (para. 9). According to the South African Journal of Military Studies (2012), Boko Haram also gains revenue through an extensive drug trafficking empire. Additionally main is gained by tapping into oil pipelines and

Boko Haram have been known to switch their attack tactics due to Nigerian security forces catching up on them. To begin with, from 2009 to 2014 most attacks carried out by Boko Haram were by armed assaults, which resulted in 63% of the deaths that year (Pricopi,2016). Not only did Boko Haram conduct attacks using armed assaults but they also used bombs as well. In fact, bombing tactics in 2013 were used in 35 incidents; however, that number increased by three times in 2014, making it used in 107 incidents(Pricopi,2016). Also, in that same year the number of civilians attacked in public places also increased as well. Suicide attacks, were also another tactic used by Boko Haram and in 2014, they accounted for atleast 31 of those attacks

Current U.S. policy toward counterterrorism efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa is incredibly vague, which is a strength of the policy as the needs of this developmental concern evolves constantly. Presently, Africa seems to be nearing a stage of transition as the largest threat arguably changes from al-Qa’ida to other extremist groups, such as Boko Haram and

“Do the reports of abuse by Nigerian military forces constrain further U.S. assistance to security forces in their operations against Boko Haram?”

Boko Haram has yet to stray from its notoriety as a harsh terrorist threat to both the people of Nigeria and the government itself. In 2014, nearly 300 Nigerian schoolgirls were stolen from their families in the town of Chibok and taken into captivity by Boko Haram. This event has yet to be rectified now two years later, nor have the families received any news or closure from the Nigerian government. Both citizens of Chibok and activists around the world have developed voices in regard to this ongoing investigation. Videos of the girls have recently surfaced which lead one to believe that the girls are still alive; these videos, however, are most likely either old or altered. Boko Haram has yet to

Western women take a lot for granted. In many parts of the world, even in the 21st century, women are not allowed to dress freely, speak freely, drive, vote, own a business, even go to school. Those that violate the tenets of the society in which they live can be killed for their lack of obedience. Still, like Rosa Parks on that bus in Montgomery, Alabama, there are women who are willing to stand up for the rights they do not yet have but know they deserve.

Terror groups such as ISIS and Al Qaeda have struck fear deep into the hearts of many Americans. Fear that has turned into hate and ignorance among these same people because they believe that the acts of less than one percent of an entire population have somehow translated onto the other ninety-nine percent. It is this same fear that spreads hurtful messages around the internet:

To respond to ISIS current threats to America’s ally, France, increased surveillance via national troops on French and American territory. If France’s military is not large enough to provide necessary troops to be able to surveillance their territories, we will step in as reinforcement and provide additional security. No bombing or use of explosive forces will be used to combat ISIS unless a necessary and true threat persists. Under this policy it is crucial to understand that containing ISIS and coexisting is better than creating another wave of nuclear destruction and terrorism on American soil. ISIS recruitment processes has transitioned from hundreds of supporters traveling to Syria and Iraq to join, to creating smaller but threatening