Postings within this category indicate that war and terrorism are a combined set of activities.

War is generally considered to be an armed conflict between at least two independent nations. However, the larger the conflict, the more nations that may become involved.

Terrorism is generally considered to be actions taken to intimidate or harm citizens of one nation by another nation. This may also include activities within a nation such as organized riots, looting, burning, robbery and more.

The first stage of conflict appears to be terrorism. When terrorism does not produce the desired results, war may follow.

Contents of postings speak for themselves and will not be repeated here.

Key Points:

1. Funding for war and terrorism activities pursued by the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), Russia, and Islamic States are primarily acquired by trade deficits of the free world.
2. The U.S. alone has accumulated a $17 trillion trade deficit for the period of 1992-2021.
3. Significant illegal activities in drugs, human trafficking and slave labor by countries identified in (1) above, also fund war and terrorism.
4. The free world is funding the economies, building cities, and developing militaries of self-proclaimed enemies.
5. Some members of congress, the administration, and international business, appear to have created this situation for personal profit, possibly through the misuse or misdirection of federal funds, leaving the citizens with a massive debt.
6. The loss of life is in the millions, and government by failure to stop or prevent indirect funding of illegal activities is essentially aiding them and may be considered complicit in the crimes.
7. In many respects, the U.S. is dependent on defensive material support from organizations listed in (1) above. This is a result of offshoring manufacturing to the least cost market. Doing so significantly diminishes the ability to be self-sustaining in military efforts.
8. The education system does not provide well educated graduates. As a result, the U.S. is rated in the middle of the pack at around thirtieth (30th) place worldwide in math, science, and the social sciences. China ranks in first (1st) place.
9. U.S. education, research, and technology organizations depend on graduates from countries listed in number one (1) above. Reason for this appears to be the structure of education systems outside the U.S. with a focus on math and science.
10. Theft of trade secrets by members of (1) above occurs externally to the U.S. via digital communications and within domestic industry and academic organizations.
11. On average U.S. schools and colleges are not as intensive, and overall educators are not as qualified. Educators in many competitive countries continually upgrade competencies by advancing to higher levels of instruction throughout their careers.
12. Therefore, many of U.S. corporations depend on graduates from foreign adversaries to lead research and development activities and advance to senior management positions.

Refer to the following “intelrag postings” which demonstrate the effects of Key Points identified above:

• International Cyber Security: Worldwide roadmap of an interconnected system of universities specializing in computer science and cyber security developed in India, sponsored by UNESCO and funded by the USSR.
• Status of the U.S. Economy: Data indicate much of the $30+ trillion national debt is, in fact, an outcome of taking a global perspective, where China and other countries have not reciprocated. A case could be made this is also funding Chinese and Russian aggression.
• SOTU Backdrop Part VIII – Education: Education in the future must be in the real-world so students can experience at the pace of change, not locked in a classroom environment where learning is static. Students must learn advanced concepts earlier.

Read the postings in the War and Terrorism category for an in-depth understanding.

Postings are subject to update.

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World War I, $334 billion was spent fighting the enemy. World War II, $4.1 trillion was spent. The disparity in spending is partially explained by the fact that U.S. was actively engaged in fighting during the final 4 years of WW II.

War on Terrorism, $1.5 to $1.7 trillion was spent between 2001 and 2014, but the War on Terrorism is stretched out over a much longer period of time.

Nearly 20 years after the United States invasion of Afghanistan, the cost of global war on terror stands at $8 trillion.

The number of men and women deployed to fight these wars during the same three periods was 4.7M, 12.2M, and 2.5M, respectively.

World War I: Began on 28 July 1914 and ended on 11 November 1918. Referred to by contemporaries as the “Great War”, its belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fighting also expanding into the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia. One of the deadliest conflicts in history, an estimated 9 million people were killed in combat, while over 5 million civilians died from military occupation, bombardment, hunger, and disease.

World War II: A global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world’s countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis powers. In a total war directly involving more than 100 million personnel from more than 30 countries, the major participants threw their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities behind the war effort, blurring the distinction between civilian and military resources.

Korean War: Fought between North Korea and South Korea from 1950 to 1953. The war began on 25 June 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea following clashes along the border and rebellions in South Korea. North Korea was supported by China and the Soviet Union while South Korea was supported by the United Nations, principally the United States. The fighting ended with an armistice on 27 July 1953.

Vietnam War: A conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vietnam and South Vietnam. North Vietnam was supported by the Soviet Union, China, and other communist allies. South Vietnam was supported by the United States and other anti-communist allies. The war is widely considered to be a Cold War-era proxy war. It lasted almost 20 years, with direct U.S. involvement ending in 1973.

Iraq War: A protracted armed conflict in Iraq from 2003 to 2011 that began with the invasion of Iraq by the United States–led coalition which overthrew the Iraqi government of Saddam Hussein. The conflict continued for much of the next decade as an insurgency emerged to oppose the coalition forces and the post-invasion Iraqi government. US troops were officially withdrawn in 2011. The United States became re-involved in 2014 at the head of a new coalition, and the insurgency and many dimensions of the armed conflict continue today. The invasion occurred as part of the George W. Bush administration‘s War on Terror following the September 11 attacks.

Afghanistan War: Armed conflict in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2021. It began when an international military coalition led by the United States launched an invasion of Afghanistan, subsequently toppling the Taliban-ruled Islamic Emirate and establishing the internationally recognized Islamic Republic three years later. The 20-year-long conflict ultimately ended with the 2021 Taliban offensive

The alarm clock should have gone off when congress established Most Favored Nation (MFN) for China. However, congress slept. Actually, it would be unfair to lay current failures at the foot of congress alone. Business and academic sectors are equally responsible.

Historically, war has usually been considered armed conflict between at least two separate nations. At this time in history, this conflict has taken on additional forms for power and profit including:

FBI: The FBI’s Number one priority is protecting the U.S. from terrorist attack and categorizes issues as international or domestic.

International terrorism: Violent, criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups who are inspired by, or associated with, designated foreign terrorist organizations or nations (state-sponsored).

International Terrorism: Joint address by MI5 and FBI Director’s warn of the growing threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to UK and US interests. The CCP is covertly applying pressure across the globe. Rather than lone actors, a coordinated campaign on a grand scale. Rather than proceeding at a lightning pace, the CCP has a strategic contest across decades. Rather than the actions of volatile individuals, there is planned, professional activity.

This plan may include planting agents (one ) – (two) within government organizations, compromising public and private citizens with payoffs and other unmentionable activities, and theft of intellectual property etc.

Domestic terrorism: Violent, criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups to further ideological goals stemming from domestic influences, such as those of a political, religious, social, racial, or environmental nature.

Domestic Terrorist Attacks: Related incidents in the United States since the 1800’s. In addition to the terrorist attacks listed, it can also be searched as follows:

• List of worst terrorist acts
• Incidents of mass casualty terrorism
• Terrorist and criminal attacks targeting children

Lone Offender Terrorism: The FBI’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime and Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) describes the results of investigative research and media accounts since 1972. Data indicate that most likely offenders are between the ages of 18-44.

The Internet and social media: International and domestic violent extremists have developed an extensive presence on the Internet through messaging platforms and online images, videos, and publications. These facilitate the groups’ ability to radicalize and recruit individuals who are receptive to extremist messaging.

Social media has also allowed both international and domestic terrorists to gain unprecedented, virtual access to people living in the United States in an effort to enable homeland attacks.

The Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS), in particular, encourages sympathizers to carry out simple attacks wherever they are located—or to travel to ISIS-held territory in Iraq and Syria and join its ranks as foreign fighters. This message has resonated with supporters in the United States and abroad.

CIA: The world’s premier foreign intelligence agency, focusing on international terrorism. The CIA collects and analyzes foreign intelligence and conducts covert actions. U.S. policymakers, including the President of the United States, make policy decisions informed by the information provided by the CIA.

Separation of terrorism into international or domestic is a significant issue. At first reading it may seem that there is an ideological difference. However, it is most likely that this separation in designations is a result of the resources assigned to each agency. 

NSA: The National Security Agency leverages advantages in technology and cybersecurity to strengthen the nations defense and secure national security systems. The NSA Cybersecurity Collaboration Center prevents and eradicates threats to U.S. national security systems with a focus on the Defense Industrial Base and the improvement of our weapons’ security and partners with allies, private industry, academics, and researchers to strengthen awareness and collaboration to advance the state of cybersecurity.

Interactive Constitution: Far-out at this point in time. However, the question occasionally arises in comments. The question is, “are any of the U.S. trading partners considered enemies of the U.S.?” If they commit terrorist activities or war against the U.S., “are investors supporting terrorist organizations or governments guilty of treason?” If so, does the Treason Clause of the Constitution apply to investors, and is the slope slippery enough to get there if they take treason actions or make war against the U.S.? This is one for the legal experts to ruminate over!

9-11 Commission Report: The table lists the content by chapter and provides download links and HTML links for viewing online. The first three chapters are linked below. Interested researchers can view or print online.

Chapter 1: “We Have Some Planes” is the background setting for the attack on World Trade Center Complex in New York City. The report is a significant read.

Chapter 2: “The Foundation of the New Terrorism” continues and provides the background setting for international terrorism.

Chapter 3: “Counterterrorism Evolves” may be of significant interest as it identifies a progressive listing of attacks prior to and including the 911. Chapter 3 narrative indicates indecision and disagreement over which agency is responsible for what, and within each agency which office is responsible. This disagreement seems to have been resolved.

National Library of Medicine: Who is to blame for COVID-19? Well, blame is unknown, however the global effects are somewhat known. Occurrences of pathogens appear to be in the future.

The Last- And Only Foreign Scientist in the Wuhan Lab Speaks Out. It appears an insider agrees with the indefinite results of pursuit for answers. Whatever the cause, it is international terrorism. World Health Organization data on COVID-19.

List of wars: 2003-present: Reflects the definition of war in the foundation post on WWIII. Terrorism is frequently reported during indicated events. International and domestic terrorism activities continue by the aggressor to intimidate the opponent and gain access without the need to finance a war between nations, or within nations. However, war and terrorism appear to be the current approach. The table includes links to the history of individual wars.

Education Research:

TraCCC: Transnational Crime and Corruption Center is the first center in the United States devoted to understanding the links among terrorism, transnational crime and corruption, and to teaching, researching, training and helping to formulate policy on these critical issues. TraCCC is a research center within the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University.

NSI: The National Security Institute at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School

START: Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism website. A Department of Homeland Security Emeritus Center of Excellence led by the University of Maryland.

Norwich University Online: State-of-the-art offerings with a 200-year history of academic excellence and innovation. The nation’s first private college to offer civil engineering instruction to being one of the first institutions to receive designation as an NSA Center of Excellence in Information Security Education,

DEGREE CHOICES: Counterterrorism degrees, programs, and careers.

Posts represent opinions of the editor based solely on available public information.

Notes:

• Posts are designed to be quick reads and represent the initial cuts on subjects.
• Textual material consists of modified entries from the linked-to resources.
• Postings are an index of detailed information accessed by selecting included links.
• Organizations linked-to maintain ownership and are responsible for accuracy.
• Posts are based on Horizon / Environmental Scanning futurist research methods.

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