Fleming College

Students in the School of Law, Justice and Community Services learned about terrorism during a lecture by a leading expert in the field. In her presentation “Terrorism and the State: The New Battlefield,” Dr. Janine Krieber provided a general overview of terrorism – its definition, history, strategy and how it is used in conflicts. Dr. Krieber teaches Military Strategy at the Royal Military College in Saint-Jean, Quebec. She has studied terrorism for 30 years. Dr. Krieber said that when she started her studies in terrorism, most terrorists were European – located in France, Greece and Italy. They were mostly middle class and well-educated. “I wanted to know ‘Why them and not me?’” she said. “Why would they take up weapons and kill for political reasons?” The answer lies in communication, she said. “The way people understand the world around them.” The definition of terrorism is any action that brings terror into society and can be used by the state or society. More often terrorism is used by society against the state, she said. “When there is a rebellion, society has to find ways to indirectly attack these organization’s that are very structured…Terrorism is a hit and run strategy.“ The media plays the role of social amplificatory – they amplify terrorism’s effect,” she added. Terrorism dates back to the Roman Empire but the word originated during the French Revolution, she said. Terrorism uses propaganda, subversion, and destabilization in its attacks. Using the traditional Western method of military strategy – decisive battle – does not work against terrorists, said Dr. Krieber. Antiterrorism is a method used to fight terrorism, she said. To fight under this strategy, antiterrorists must use intelligence, infrastructure protection, emergency preparedness, and have the ability for reconstruction – both material and psychological. Following her 45-minute presentation, Dr. Krieber took questions from students on terrorist threats in Canada, the war in Afghanistan, and the ethics of terrorist activities. Dr. Krieber is the wife of Liberal Opposition Leader Stephane Dion. She was touring Peterborough to learn more about the area.