Question 1

Which of the following propositions most accurately characterizes the issue of gender-related cultural practices?

Accepted Answer

Many cultures around the world practice gender-related cultural practices that are harmful to women, such as female genital mutilation, forced marriages, and honor killings. These practices represent a form of repression and political violence against women and should be condemned and eliminated. It is not acceptable to ignore or accept such practices in the name of cultural relativism or tolerance.

Question 2

Gender-selective violence during wartime ______.

Accepted Answer

Gender-selective violence during wartime became recognized as a war crime only very recently. The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) were the first international criminal tribunals to recognize sexual violence as a war crime, a crime against humanity, and an act of genocide. This recognition was a major step forward in holding perpetrators accountable for gender-based violence committed during armed conflict.

Question 3

Which of the following statements most accurately explains why male members of an enemy group are singled out for violence during periods of conflict?

Accepted Answer

During periods of conflict, men and boys are often viewed as potential fighters who may pose a threat to the opposing group. Therefore, they are often targeted for violence, captivity, or execution to diminish the enemy group's capacity for resistance. While other factors such as cultural and ideological differences, power dynamics, and historical grievances may also contribute to violence against enemy males, their perceived ability to fight back is a major factor. The other options, such as B and C, may be valid in specific contexts but do not provide a comprehensive explanation for why males are singled out during conflict in general.

Question 4

Which of the following statements most accurately describes traditional criminal enterprises?

Accepted Answer

Traditional criminal enterprises are not inherently political. While they may engage in corruption and attempt to influence political leaders, their primary focus is on profit through criminal activities such as drug trafficking, extortion, and money laundering. While some may have political ties or protectors, their overarching goal is profit rather than political control.

Question 5

Which of the following statements most accurately characterizes the attributes of criminal dissident terrorism?

Accepted Answer

Dissident terrorism typically involves violent actions against a government or political system, rather than being primarily focused on inter-criminal rivalry or purely for the expansion of criminal enterprises across borders. Reactive violence in response to government suppression fits this definition more closely than the other options.

Question 6

Los Zetas in Mexico were originally ______.

Accepted Answer

Los Zetas were originally formed as an elite anti-drug unit of the Mexican military before breaking off and becoming a prominent drug cartel.

Question 7

Which of the following statements most accurately characterizes the case of the Janjaweed in Sudan?

Accepted Answer

The case of the Janjaweed in Sudan is best characterized as state-sponsored gender-selective communal terrorism. The Janjaweed, backed by the Sudanese government, specifically targeted women and girls in their attacks on communities in Darfur, Sudan. While there were instances of crime and illicit activity within the Janjaweed, it was primarily a tool used by the government to maintain control and suppress insurgent movements in the region, rather than a transnational organized criminal enterprise or a group engaged in narco-terrorism.

Question 8

Which of the following statements most accurately characterizes the Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle?

Accepted Answer

The Golden Crescent refers to a region in West Asia (Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan) known for its opium and heroin production, while the Golden Triangle refers to a region in Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand) also known for its opium and heroin production. Therefore, option D is the correct answer that characterizes the Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle as drug producing centers in West Asia and Southeast Asia.

Question 9

Which of the following statements most accurately describes criminal-political enterprises?

Accepted Answer

Criminal-political enterprises are highly political in nature, often engaging in activities that are designed to influence political outcomes or leverage political power to further their criminal objectives.

Question 10

The Tri-Border Area of central South America poses a plausible security challenge to the region and possibly the United States because of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Tri-Border Area of central South America, where the borders of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay meet, is considered a potential security challenge due to weak government control, an organized criminal economy with illicit trade in drugs, counterfeits, and weapons, and the presence of extremist groups affiliated with the Middle East. This combination of factors creates an environment conducive to terrorism financing, money laundering, and other illegal activities that could have regional and global ramifications, including threats to US interests in the region. Therefore, all of these options are correct.

Question 11

What do "honor killings" refer to?

Accepted Answer

Honor killings refer to the killing of women or girls who have "dishonored" a family or tribe, often by engaging in behavior that is deemed inappropriate or shameful by their community. These killings are typically carried out by male relatives to restore the family's "honor."

Question 12

Which of the following statements most accurately characterizes the perception of criminal dissident political violence?

Accepted Answer

The designation of criminal dissident political violence as a distinct variety of terrorism is controversial because it blurs the lines between political motives and criminal acts, making it difficult to categorize and address through policy and analysis.

Question 13

Which of the following statements most accurately characterizes the perception of gender-selective political violence?

Accepted Answer

The designation of gender-selective political violence as a distinct variety of terrorism is controversial because it involves recognizing and categorizing acts of violence based on gender selection as a specific form of terrorism, which can be contentious due to varying definitions and interpretations of what constitutes terrorism and gender-based violence.

Question 14

Some violent extremist movements engage in criminal activity because ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Some violent extremist movements engage in criminal...

Question 15

The international drug trade ______.

Accepted Answer

The statement mentions that the international drug trade has become prominent in the financing of some extremist movements, indicating that it has negative consequences for global security. Therefore, choice A is the best answer. Choices B and C are not supported by the statement, and D is too absolute and does not take into account the potential for reducing the drug trade through international cooperation and other measures.

Question 16

Which of the following propositions most accurately explains why the Afghanistan drug trade continued during the NATO intervention against the Taliban?

Accepted Answer

Some anti-Taliban drug traffickers were warlords allied with NATO, which allowed them to continue their involvement in the drug trade. The Taliban were also heavily involved in the drug trade, but NATO's intervention aimed to disrupt their operations. While it is possible that there may have been individual instances of NATO involvement in the drug trade, there is not sufficient evidence to support choice A as the most accurate explanation. It is also unlikely that none of the adversaries cared if the drug trade continued, making choice C less likely than choice D.

Question 17

Which of the following statements is most accurate regarding the incidence of gender-selective terrorism?

Accepted Answer

The statement that most accurately reflects the incidence of gender-selective terrorism is that it is not systematically documented and reported. Although there is evidence of gender-based violence in terrorist attacks, it is often not specifically categorized or reported as such. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately measure the incidence and address the issue effectively.

Question 18

Which of the following propositions most accurately describes narco-terrorism?

Accepted Answer

Narco-terrorism occurs when governments actively try to suppress drug trafficking enterprises by using violent means, such as bombings or assassinations, to intimidate or coerce officials, citizens, or businesses. Criminal enterprises may be involved in narco-terrorism, but it is not a routine practice. Drug-induced violence may contribute to narco-terrorism, but it is not the sole cause. The ineffectiveness or neglect of governments in addressing drug trafficking may fuel criminal enterprises, but it does not necessarily lead to narco-terrorism.

Question 19

Which of the following statements most accurately characterizes the Beka'a Valley?

Accepted Answer

The Beka'a Valley in Lebanon was historically known for being a hub of illicit activities, including terrorism, crime, and drug production, particularly during the Lebanese Civil War.

Question 20

Which of the following propositions best explains the reasons for why Colombia's FARC participated in the drug trade?

Accepted Answer

According to various studies and experts, one of the main reasons for FARC's participation in the drug trade was the need to finance their movement since they were fighting a guerrilla war against the Colombian government.

Quiz 9: Emerging Terrorist Environments: Gender-Selective Political Violence and Criminal Dissident Terrorism