Conflict Management Glossary

IMPACT OF TERRORISM GLOSSARY

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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The tragic events of September 11, 2001 brought many new people, places and concepts into our lives. The following is a partial list of terms that you may encounter as you deal with the topic of terrorism. There are now many extensive glossaries available via the Internet that will enable further research and study.

Active Listening - Using techniques to show the other person that his or her interests and concerns have been heard. Active listening includes repetition, reflection, and interest-interpretation.

Afghanistan - Officially Islamic State of Afghanistan, republic (1998 est. pop. 24,800,000), 249,999 sq mi (647,497 sq km), S central Asia. Afghanistan is bordered by Iran on the west, by Pakistan on the east and south, and by Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan on the north; a narrow strip, the Vakhan (Wakhan), extends in the northeast along Pakistan to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. The capital and largest city is Kabul.
Agro-terrorism. Terrorism by contaminating crops or livestock with a deadly contagious disease.

Aggressiveness - Attempting to get your own way in a dispute by putting physical or verbal pressure on the other person.

Air Force One - Any airplane carrying the president. The Air Force actually has two specially equipped Boeing 747-200's that serve as Air Force One. They were manufactured in 1990. Authorities believe terrorists targeted Air Force One in some way for attack on September 11, 2001.

Air Marshal - A federal marshal who rides commercial flights incognito, armed to prevent hijackings. Israel uses air marshals on El-Al airline and hasn't had a hijacking in 31 years. The United States uses only a few air marshals, so most flights do not have one. President Bush has proposed using them extensively.

Al Jazeera - Broadcast throughout the Middle East, al Jazeera has been called the "CNN of the Arab world." Based in the country of Qatar.

Al-Qaeda - A phrase meaning "the base," a name given to Osama bin Laden's terrorist network. He almost certainly does not use this term himself. Also spelled al-Qaida.

Anthrax - Deadly bacterium used in apparent bioterrorist attacks since September 11, 2001. Anthrax can infect by inhalation or skin contact (cutaneous infection). It is treatable with antibiotics, primarily doxycycline and Cipro. If diagnosed early, the patient has a strong probability of full recovery.
Anti-terrorism. Anti-terrorism efforts are preventive measures, such as judicial, legislative, security or military measures taken to reduce vulnerability to a terrorist attack, as contrasted with counter-terrorism measures, which are military, police and intelligence measures used to fight terrorism through pre-emptive or retaliatory measures.

Arabs - People from the Arabic-speaking countries of the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan and Libya. Most Arabs in the Middle East are Muslims, but only 12 percent of the world's Muslims are Arabs. Most Arab Americans are Christians.

Assertiveness - Talking calmly and firmly about your interests and what you want to happen in an effort to communicate effectively with others.

Avoidance - Avoiding a problem by walking away, ignoring what is happening, refusing to participate in a conflict situation.

bin Laden. Osama (also spelled Usama) bin Laden - a Saudi native, was the 17th of 24 sons of Saudi Arabia's leading builder, Yemeni immigrant Mohammed bin Oud bin Laden. Osama's share of the family wealth has been estimated at $300 million, though some say that figure is too high. He helped the mujahedeen in their war with the Soviet Union, mostly by building facilities and helping recruit other Arabs. His hatred of the United States stems from his view that U.S. forces desecrated holy ground in Saudi Arabia with their presence in the war against Iraq. He was expelled from Saudi Arabia in 1991, then from Sudan in 1996. Since 1996 he has operated terrorist training camps in Afghanistan. His worldwide network, al Qaeda, is blamed for the September 11, 2001 attack on the United States, the 2000 attack on the USS Cole and other terrorist attacks. Osama means "like a lion."

Biological warfare - Use of a bacterium (such as anthrax) or virus (such as smallpox) as a weapon. Many experts believe biological weapons present a more serious terrorist threat than chemical or nuclear weapons, because the organisms can multiply and spread through the population, so an attack would not require the volume of material needed in a chemical attack.

Bioterrorism - Terrorism using deadly bacteria or virus.

Blair, Tony - British Prime Minister during the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on America.

Breath down - Taking deep, slow breaths as a way to calm down and manage strong emotions.

Bush, George W. - President of the United States during the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on America.

Cell - Small group working together clandestinely. Contact with other cells of the same organization and even with command structure of the organization is limited.

Chemical warfare - Use of toxic chemicals as weapons. Chemical weapons would be more difficult to use in a massive terrorist attack than biological weapons because of the volume of chemicals needed. After the September 11, 2001 attack, the FAA grounded all crop dusting operations, fearing a possible chemical attack. Chemical warfare does not include use of herbicides to defoliate enemy hiding areas and riot-control agents such as tear gas.

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) - Responsible for foreign intelligence gathering. CIA activities were restricted in the 1970s after scandals over involvement in assassinations and coups. One of many agencies whose work will be coordinated by the new Office of Homeland Security.

Combating terrorism - Actions, including antiterrorism (defensive measures taken to reduce vulnerability to terrorist acts) and counterterrorism (offensive measures taken to prevent, deter, and respond to terrorism), taken to oppose terrorism throughout the entire threat spectrum.

Competition/ competitive approach - One side attempts to win and have the other side lose.

Conflict - An uncomfortable internal feeling associated with not getting the things one wants or feeling undecided about what to do in a situation. Conflict is another term for a dispute.

Cooperation/cooperative approach- In cooperation, people involved in a dispute work together to solve a problem.

Counter-terrorism - Counter-terrorism measures are military, police and intelligence measures used to fight terrorism through pre-emptive or retaliatory measures, as contrasted with anti-terrorism measures, which are preventive measures to reduce vulnerability to terrorist attacks.

Cyberwarfare - Damaging an enemy through use of computers.

De-escalation - De-escalation means toning down the intensity of the conflict or dispute so that a solution becomes more likely. The angrier people are at each other, the less likely a solution will be reached. The parties can de-escalate the conflict by using good communication skills. De-escalation may also occur when the parties get tired of fighting, or when they realize that keeping the conflict going is doing them more harm than good.

Dialogue - A dialogue is an open, honest discussion between or among the parties in a dispute. In a dialogue, the parties learn about the other group's feelings, beliefs, interests and needs, without trying to "win" over the other side. It often helps to have a third party to facilitate the dialogue so that everyone has an equal chance to share his or her views.

Dispute - The arguments, disagreements and fights that take place between people who are experiencing a conflict.

Disputants - Disputants are the people, groups or organizations that are in conflict with each other. They are often called "parties." (A "third party" may be a facilitator or mediator, who helps resolve the dispute).

DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid, the genetic "fingerprint" that is unique to each individual. Searchers are using DNA testing to identify body fragments and tissue found at the World Trade Center, so loved ones will have something to bury.

Emotion - Emotion is another word for feelings. Some common emotions are anger, fear, love, sadness, grief, jealousy, hurt, disappointment and joy. We may have these feelings or emotions in response to things that are going on at the moment or when we remember something that happened in the past. Frequently, we also experience physiological changes, such as feeling hot, having our heart beat faster, changes in our breathing, knotting in our stomachs, etc. when we feel an emotion. It is important to separate emotions from the actions we take when we feel something. For example, some people shout or hit when they feel angry. With practice, we can learn to think about what we are feeling and then decide how we want to act.

Escalation - Escalation is an increase in the intensity of a conflict. When a conflict escalates, the people involved (disputants) move from gently opposing positions to more forceful, confrontational tactics. The number of parties involved may increase, and the number of issues under discussion may grow. Also, when a dispute escalates, the parties may want more than just to win-they may also want to hurt their opponent. Conflict can escalate quickly but may take much longer to calm down, or de-escalate.

FAA - Federal Aviation Administration. Responsible for aviation safety in the United States. Runs air traffic control system, but not airport security. One of many agencies whose work will be coordinated by the new Office of Homeland Security.

Face-saving - One's "face" is one's public image. When we save face, we avoid making ourselves or others appear foolish or weak. Instead, we find ways to let others appear strong and victorious, even if they are not. People are often concerned that they will "lose face" if they lose in a dispute. If we can ensure that all the parties will save face, an agreement is more likely to be reached.

Facilitation - A facilitator is a third party who helps the disputants to stay focused on working toward their common goals by following the agreed-upon ground rules. The facilitator takes a less active role in helping the parties find a solution than the mediator would.

FBI -Federal Bureau of Investigations, an agency of the Justice Department responsible for domestic law enforcement. One of many agencies whose work will be coordinated by the new Office of Homeland Security.

Force - Force refers to any situation where one party is made to do something they don't want to do because they are threatened with some negative action if they don't do it. Force may be violent, but it can also be a threat to lose one's job or get a bad grade or any other action that is likely to hurt the opponent.

Forensic - Adjective meaning "used in courts of law." Forensic specialists digging through the debris at crash sites are gathering evidence.

Fundamentalism - Conservative religious authoritarianism in all faiths. It is marked by a literal interpretation of scriptures and favors a strict adherence to traditional doctrines and practices.

Ground Zero - The now sanctified ground at the epicenter of World Trade Center disaster.

Hate crimes - A crime whose victim is selected because he or she belongs to a group the attacker hates. Some, but not all, hate crimes are acts of terrorism.

Homeland Security Council - White House Council coordinating work of agencies overseen by Office of Homeland Security. Headed by Tom Ridge. Members include attorney general; defense, treasury, health and human services and agriculture secretaries; directors of FBI and FEMA.

Homeland Security, Office of - New agency headed by former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, in charge of coordinating the 40 or so federal agencies with responsibilities for protecting the nation against terrorism and investigating acts of terrorism.

Identity - Our identity is the way we see ourselves. It includes such things as our gender, age, nationality, the way we dress, the way we describe ourselves to others, the way we privately think about who we are, and the groups or friends with whom we associate.

Infidel - Someone who does not believe in the speaker's religion. Christians described Muslims as infidels during the crusades, and Islamic fundamentalists use the term to denounce members of other faiths. Osama bin Laden has referred to Americans as infidels.

Interest-based approach - This type of dispute resolution looks at problems in terms of interests, not positions, and works to get the parties to understand one another's interests so everyone is satisfied that their needs have been met.

Interests - Interests is a word we use to describe the feelings people have about their lives, and the reason why they take a certain position. For example, a person may take the position that he will shout back when someone shouts at him, but his interest is to have people talk quietly and respectfully to him. If parties can agree that their interests are compatible they can often reach an agreement, even when their positions are very different.

Intolerance - Intolerance is an unwillingness to accept other people or groups who are different from one's own. When we are intolerant we may want to get rid of the other person, group or idea, or we may just treat them as if they were less valuable or less important than we are. Racial discrimination and prejudice are forms of intolerance.

Islam - The faith of followers of the 7th-Century prophet Muhammad. Islam has more than 1 billion believers worldwide. The nation with the largest Islamic population is Indonesia. Like Christianity, Islam encompasses groups with wide-ranging interpretations and applications of Muhammad's teachings. Islam means "surrender."

Jihad - The word jihad actually means "struggle, strive." The Arabic root of the word is jahada "to strive for." (The Arabic word for war is "harb.") Of the two types of jihad, the lesser type is the struggle is against religious or political oppression, the second and greater is the soul's struggle with evil. Moderates think that while "jihad" might refer to an active war against an oppressive regime, such a war may be waged only against that regime, not innocent people. Radical Islamic fundamentalists assume that a jihad is a war without constraints.

Moslem - Term formerly used in the United States in reference to Islam and its followers. Muslims object to this spelling. The preferred terms are Islam for the faith, Islamic as an adjective and Muslim as a noun for the followers of Islam.

National Pharmaceutical Stockpile - Vaccines and antidotes stored at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, to protect against germ warfare.

Needs - We all have basic human physical and psychological needs. These include the need to feel secure, to have a strong sense of personal identity and to be recognized and validated by others. A conflict may involve a demand to meet the human needs of an individual or group. Meeting these needs makes successful resolution of the dispute more likely.

Negotiation - When two or more parties in a dispute discuss a problem intending to find a solution that is acceptable to all, they are negotiating. Negotiation can be friendly and cooperative, with both sides seeking a mutually beneficial solution (called "win-win", Interest-based or cooperative bargaining), or it can be competitive (called "win-lose", "Lose-Lose" or adversarial bargaining) where one side tries to prevail over the other.

Neutrality - Neutrality means that a third party does not have a connection or previous relationship with any of the parties in the dispute. Neutrality insures that the third party will not be prejudiced toward any of the parties in the dispute by virtue of knowing them currently or in the past. Many mediation programs use a neutral mediator.

Operation Enduring Freedom - The second name for the U.S. military response to the September 11, 2001 attack. It was adopted after Muslims objected to Operation Infinite Justice.

Operation Infinite Justice - The short-lived name of the U.S. military response to the September 11, 2001 attack. The Defense Department quickly abandoned it upon learning that the phrase is offensive to Muslims, who believe only Allah can dispense infinite justice. The response instead became known as Operation Enduring Freedom.

Parties - The parties are the people or groups that are involved in the dispute. "Third parties" are people who are not involved in the dispute but who help resolve it. Mediators, facilitators and judges are "third parties" in a dispute.

Peace Building -The process of resolving disputes involves peace building, which is restoring the normal, cooperative relationship that existed before the dispute. Peace building often involves replacing the conflict with mutual understanding and forgiveness on both sides.

Pentagon - Headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense. The five-sided building was completed in 1943. American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon September 11, 2001 killing 189.

Positions - Each party in a dispute takes a position: this is their stated demand for what they want from the other party. Positions are different from "interests," which are the party's deeper needs and wants ( why one wants something). Sometimes positions may be opposed to each other, but underlying interests may be compatible. In such cases, the compatible interests may be used as a way to resolve the dispute.

Qur'an - The sacred text of Islam, considered by Muslims to contain the revelations of God to Mohammed. Also called Koran.

Reconciliation - Reconciliation is the return to normal, cooperative relationships between individuals or groups. When parties reconcile, they resolve the dispute. The values of truth, justice, peace and mercy are necessary in order for reconciliation to occur.

Rights - A rights approach to a dispute uses laws, rules, policies or other methods that determine who has the "right" to do something. The United States operates in a rights system, giving people rights under the law.

Screeners - Workers who operate security checkpoints at airports.

Sky marshal - Same as air marshal.

Smallpox - Deadly virus that was declared eradicated in 1979 by the World Health Organization. Vaccinations stopped, and even laboratory samples have been destroyed, though two research centers retain DNA fragments under tight security. Feared as a possible agent of bioterrorism.

Special forces - Small units trained for special missions, such as unconventional warfare and counter-terrorism.

Spore - An asexual, usually single celled, reproductive body of plants such as fungi, mosses or ferns; a microorganism, as a bacterium, in a resting or dormant state.

Stalemate - A stalemate occurs when parties in a dispute are not making progress toward a resolution. Once a stalemate is reached, the parties may be ready for a third party to help them negotiate a settlement.

State terrorism - Acts of terrorism by a government against its own people. Iraq has practiced state terrorism against the Kurds, just as Nazi Germany did against the Jews and other minorities and as Stalin did against various dissident groups.

State-sponsored terrorism - Acts carried out by non-government groups with funding, arms, intelligence or other direct or indirect help from a government. State Department lists seven nations as sponsors of terrorism: Cuba, Libya, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan and Syria.

Stereotyping - Stereotyping is assuming that all members of a group are the same. Stereotyping is dangerous because it oversimplifies the many differences among people of the same group. For example, assuming that all children who grow up in poor neighborhoods will resort to drugs and violence is stereotyping. It may be true of some poor children, but not all. Stereotyping can lead to serious misunderstandings and can hinder the conflict resolution process.

Terrorism - The word terrorism refers to acts of violence inflicted against a civilian population that occur outside of war. The term now is used to refer to politically motivated violence perpetrated by non-state organizations against an established nation state. Terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof in furtherance of political or social objectives.

Third Party - A third party is a person who helps the disputants to resolve their conflict. The third party is impartial and not involved in the conflict. Examples of third parties are mediators, arbitrators, conciliators, facilitators and judges.

Threat - A threat is a statement that demands that another party do something, or else negative consequences will follow. When a threat is made, one party tries to gain power over the other.

Toxins - A class of biological poison resulting from the byproduct of living organisms. A toxin may be obtained naturally, that is, from secretions of various organisms or synthesized.

Transponder - Communications device that sends out signal allowing air traffic controllers to track an airplane. Transponders were disabled in some of the planes hijacked September 11, 2001. President Bush has proposed requiring transponders that cannot be disabled from the aircraft.

Triggering events - A triggering event is something that happens to start a conflict. It can be something minor, such as an accidental word or careless mistake, or it can be something major and deliberate.

Value differences - Value differences are differences in what people believe and what they consider to be important. People's values are very important to them and they are usually not willing to change them. Conflicts are often difficult to resolve when the disputant's value differences are great.

Values - Values are our ideas and beliefs about what is good and bad, right and wrong, important or unimportant. We all have values about the way people should behave toward each other in families, as friends and at work. We have values about religion, money, careers and practically every other area of life.

Weapons of mass destruction - Any weapon, nuclear, biological, or chemical, that can kills large numbers of people. There are three types of delivery system usually considered for WMD-ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and combat aircraft

Win-lose (adversarial) approach - In this approach, each party in a dispute sees the other party as the enemy, to be defeated. This is contrasted with the "win-win" approach, in which parties cooperate to find a mutually beneficial and agreeable solution.

Win-win (cooperative, Interest-based, or problem-solving) approach - In this approach, the parties in a dispute work together to cooperatively solve the problem and reach a solution that is satisfactory for everyone. This is contrasted with the "win-lose" approach, in which each party tries to defeat the other.

World Trade Center - A building complex in lower Manhattan, New York City, consisting of seven buildings and a shopping concourse. It was the world's largest commercial complex, with many businesses, government agencies, and international trade organizations. Most prominent were the 110-story rectangular twin towers, one rising to 1,362 ft (415 m) and the other to 1,368 ft (417 m). Designed by Minoru Yamasaki and Emery Roth, the towers and concourse portion of the center were completed in 1973 at a cost of $750 million. A massive terrorist car-bomb explosion damaged portions of the complex in 1993, killing six people and causing more than $300 million in damages. In 1995, Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman and nine other militant Muslims (Sudanese, Egyptian, American, and Jordanian citizens) were convicted of conspiracy and other charges related to the bombing. In 1998 the so-called mastermind, Ramzi Yousef, also was convicted of the bombing and sentenced to life plus 240 years in prison. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks destroyed almost the entire complex.

World view - A person's world view is the way s/he sees the world and his/her place in it. In includes the person's beliefs about how things are done and by whom, what is good and bad, why things happen as they do, and who holds the reins of power. It also includes the group or groups to which a person belongs or with which s/he identifies.