Problem solution essay draft 3

Terrorism remains a global issue that nations are facing today. Islamic States extremist groups have taken advantage of the anonymity of the online platform to execute their operations, such as propagation of their ideology, terrorist recruitments, fund raising and training-i.e. how to build a bomb. (UNODC, 2012) It is challenging to trace and crack down on all these terrorist activities with the rapid sharing of terrorist related materials that are easily accessible on social media websites. (Maura C., 2007)

Number of terrorist related websites has increased tremendously, from 12 in 1998 to nearly 10,000 today. (Gabriel W., 2007) In addition, online forums and chatrooms have allowed these terrorist group to dissimilate terrorist related information such as agenda and operation of the terrorist groups and answer queries that sympathizers of terrorist group had virally. (Marie W., 2015)

High internet penetration of 73% (We Are Social, 2015) in Singapore has allows for the rapid dissimilation of terrorists materials to majority of the nation. Furthermore, Malay population attribute to a total of 13.3% of the total ethnic group in Singapore (Statistics Singapore, 2010). It is vital that Islamic practitioners of the Malay population have receive proper preaching to prevent being self-radicalised by the vast amount of terrorist material online.

In order to keep terrorism on social media on bay, Singapore have taken a proactive and preventive measures, which includes, regional dialogues, community engagement, internet surveillance and censorship.

Extensive social presents of terrorists on the social media have required nations to discuss and devise strategic counter terrorism measures to keep terrorism under control. Singapore have organise and participate in various regional dialogues on terrorisms. A dialogue that Singapore has attend is, ’EU-Asia Dialogue, 2015’. Information sharing between terrorist experts and regional leaders through the conferences have promote a more comprehensive counter terrorism measures with the cooperation between the nations.

Community engagement is also a counter measure that the Singapore’s government have devised to counter against terrorism on social media.  The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), which is in charge of the welfare of the Muslim community in Singapore, ensures that the Muslim community Singapore have received accurate and proper Islamic teaching. MUIS has set up various websites to educate the general public about Islam and its practices. These websites include, www.iask.com.sg, www.invoke.sg, www.radical.mosque.sg. In addition, Religious Rehabilitation Group (RPG), headed by a group of Islamic scholars and teachers, allows vulnerable teenagers that are taken in by false belief by the extremist on the social media to seek counselling helps. (Ustaz A., n.d.)

Internet surveillance and censorship also acts as deterrence against propagation of terrorist ideology. As part of an initiative to counter against terrorism, the Internal Security Department Counter-Terrorism Centre (ISD CTC) was established in April 98. The ISD CTC is mainly involved in the monitoring and investigation of terrorist activities or incident, including terrorist threats online. A 24 hours incident response centre was even set up to provide immediate response to security incidents. Intelligence gathered from cases of security incidents will be collected and stored by the ISD CTC for further evaluation and analysis of traces of terrorist activities. In addition as a means to identify and assess new emerging threat to national security, the Risk Assessment and Horizon Scanning (RAHS) was developed and launched by the National Security Coordination Secretariat in 2004. Analytical tools such as SKAN and Vanguard are part of the software that RAHS had developed, enabling the modelling and monitoring of emerging strategic solutions.

Apart from the various control measures that Singapore’s government have devise to deter against terrorism, personal initiative from the publics can aid in the fast identification of potential targets of people radicalised by terrorism. Furthermore, regular roadshows and educational talks about terrorism can be conducted in schools and cooperation. This can help to educate the public of the significance of terrorism and how they can contribute to deter against terrorism.

In conclusion, it may be impossible to stop the propagation of terrorist related materials on social media due to their abundancy. Nevertheless, coupled with counter terrorism measures such as regional dialogues, community engagement, internet surveillance and censorship and personal initiative, we can limit the operations of terrorist activities and casualties brought by terrorist attacks.

References

·         ·         Bryna S. The Straits Times. (2013, Mar). Budget 2013: Self-radicalised individual re-detained. Retrieved from: http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/budget-2013-self-radicalised-individual-re-detained-20130307

·         ·         Win Kwang S. Home Team News.(2013, Mar ) Maintaining vigilance against terrorism and sharpening cyber enforcers to counter online threats. Retrieved from:http://www.hometeam.sg/article.aspx?news_sid=201303078WLmFeUoaLxV

·         ·         Rob L. Yahoo! News. (2014, May) Social media a key element for terror groups. Retrieved from: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/social-media-key-element-terror-groups-203545974.html

·         ·         Zakir H.. The Straits Times. (2015,Jan). PM Lee: Greatest damage from a terror attack would be to trust and confidence.Retrieved from :http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/pm-lee-greatest-damage-terror-attack-would-be-trust-and-

·         ·         Jian Yue X. Channel News Asia. (2015, Mar). Masagos urges Singaporeans to be eyes and ears in fight against terrorism. Retrieved from:http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/masagos-urges/1693232.html

·         ·         Internal security Department. (n,d). ISD Counter-Terrorism Centre (CTC).Retrieved from: http://www.mha.gov.sg/isd/abt-isd.htm

·         ·         RAHS .(n,d) RAHS Programme: Origin and Progress .Retrieved from: http://www.rahs.gov.sg/public/www/content.aspx?sid=2952

·         ·         Rachel C. The Straits Times. (2015, Jan) Terrorism: How prepared is Singapore?. pp D2-D3

Problem Solution Essay Draft 1

Terrorism remains a global issue that nations are facing today. Islamic State extremist groups have taken advantage of the anonymity of the online platform to execute their operations, such as propagation of their ideology, terrorist recruitments, fund raising and training-i.e. how to build a bomb. It is challenging to trace and crack down on all these terrorist activities with the rapid sharing of terrorist related materials that are easily accessible on social media websites.

A research that has been conducted by Gabriel W., Professor of Communication at Haifa University, have shown an exponential increase in the number of terrorist related websites from 12 in 1998 to nearly 10,000 today. In addition, online forums and chatrooms have allowed these terrorist group to dissimilate terrorist related information such as agenda and operation of the terrorist groups and answer queries that sympathizers of terrorist group had virally.

Referring to, ‘ Budget 2013: Self-radicalised individual re-detained’, an online news article by Bryna Singh, The Straits Times, it is challenging to de-radicalise someone once he has been drawn to terrorist ideology. Abdul Basheer, a law graduate turned self-radicalised terrorist, had been deeply drawn into terrorist ideology that despite being detained for three years, he returned to his old ways soon after his release. Not long after his release in February 2010, he was caught again later last year for wanting to undertake militant jihad operation abroad. This case study had shown the strong influence brought by the alteration of Islamic teaching by the Islamic State extremist groups. Based on Statistics Singapore, Census of Population 2010, Malay formed 13.3% of the total ethnic groups in Singapore. It is important that these Islamic practitioners receive proper preaching and not the altered version by Islamic State extremist groups online.

In order to counteract the influence of terrorist ideology brought by social media, the Singapore government had employed various strategies which range from heighten surveillance online and island-wide, mass scale simulation exercises to regional dialogue and exercises. These strategies are illustrated in the following sections.

As part of an initiative to counter against terrorism, the Internal Security Department Counter-Terrorism Centre (ISD CTC) was established in April 98. The ISD CTC is mainly involved in the monitoring and investigation of terrorist activities or incident. A 24 hours incident response centre was even set up to provide immediate response to security incidents. Intelligence gathered from cases of security incidents will be collected and stored by the ISD CTC for further evaluation and analysis of traces of terrorist activities.

As a means to identify and assess new emerging threat to national security, the Risk Assessment and Horizon Scanning (RAHS) was developed and launched by the National Security Coordination Secretariat in 2004. Analytical tools such as SKAN and Vanguard are part of the software that RAHS had developed, enabling the modelling and monitoring of emerging strategic solutions.

To increase surveillance of suspicious terrorist activities or objects, the Police MRT Unit was established on August 2005 to increase patrol on Mass Rapid Transport network to protect the public transportation installations. Personnel from the Special Operations Command (SOC) and the Gukha Contingent (GC) have also been deployed to complement police officers on patrol. In addition, the Police Coast Guard (PCG) had stepped up its effort to inspect ferries and other vessels in Singapore territorial waters.

To deter against potential terrorist attack, specialised military, law enforcement and civil defence units are established. These units include, Singapore Special Operations Force, Special Operations Command and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosive Defence Group. Rigorous trainings and exercises was carried to prepare these special operation units for emergency civil attack. One of the mass scale impromptu simulation exercise, Exercise Northstar V, have been carried out to evaluate the readiness and coordination between the relevant units in civil emergency. This exercise also helps to raise the psychological readiness of publics in situation of terrorist attacks. A total of 22 agencies and 2000 emergency personnel and an additional of 3400 commuters are involved in this exercise.

Regular dialogues and information sharing between regional leaders and police officers enable the development of strategic counter-terrorists’ measures, monitoring and crack down of potential suspicious terrorist activities.

Up to date, Singapore have not encountered major terrorist attack apart from the Singapore embassies attack plot initialled by the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) in 2001. This might had lower the public awareness of the potential terrorist threats in Singapore. It is thus important to have regular roadshows and educational talks in schools and cooperates about the risk of terrorists and ways publics can aid in the uncovering of potential terrorists activities. Furthermore, the public can help notify the authorities of terrorist contents on social media once spotted.

In conclusion, it may be impossible to stop the propagation of terrorist related materials on social media due to their abundancy. Nevertheless, coupled with counter terrorism measures such as stringent surveillance virally and island wide, simulation exercises and regional and community cohesiveness, we can limit the operation of terrorist activities and casualties brought by terrorist attacks.

References

• ·         Bryna S. The Straits Times. (2013, Mar). Budget 2013: Self-radicalised individual re-detained. Retrieved from: http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/budget-2013-self-radicalised-individual-re-detained-20130307
• ·         Win Kwang S. Home Team News.(2013, Mar ) Maintaining vigilance against terrorism and sharpening cyber enforcers to counter online threats. Retrieved from: http://www.hometeam.sg/article.aspx?news_sid=201303078WLmFeUoaLxV
• ·         Rob L. Yahoo! News. (2014, May) Social media a key element for terror groups. Retrieved from: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/social-media-key-element-terror-groups-203545974.html
• ·         Zakir H.. The Straits Times. (2015,Jan). PM Lee: Greatest damage from a terror attack would be to trust and confidence.Retrieved from : http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/pm-lee-greatest-damage-terror-attack-would-be-trust-and-
• ·         Jian Yue X. Channel News Asia. (2015, Mar). Masagos urges Singaporeans to be eyes and ears in fight against terrorism. Retrieved from: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/masagos-urges/1693232.html
• ·         Internal security Department. (n,d). ISD Counter-Terrorism Centre (CTC).Retrieved from: http://www.mha.gov.sg/isd/abt-isd.htm
• ·         RAHS .(n,d) RAHS Programme: Origin and Progress .Retrieved from: http://www.rahs.gov.sg/public/www/content.aspx?sid=2952
• ·         Rachel C. The Straits Times. (2015, Jan) Terrorism: How prepared is Singapore?. pp D2-D3

"An Influential Event"

"An Influential Event"

I had never thought of or realized what the true purpose in life was until my Grandmother had passed away.

It was five years ago, at the wake of my Grandmother’s funeral. The usual laughter and chattering within our family members were missing. Instead, sadness was written over every family members’ faces as each of us took turns to pay our respect to Grandmother before she was cremated.

On the way home after the funeral, I pondered about the fragility of life. It was hard to predict when we would die; but how could we had no regrets in life even if we only had a few weeks or months to live?

For some people, their sole purpose in life was to be the richest man in the world. They striven hard from young to old just to accumulate wealth that they could not even spent in a life time. By as they got richer, they got more depressed. True friends and life partners were hard to identify as people that roamed around them are people that were only interested in coveting on their wealth. Therefore, instead of the pursuit over superficial subjects such as wealth and fame, it was better to pursuit over happiness which could lead to a more enriching life.

To end off, life passed in a blink of eye, so it was important to cherish every moments in our life. Maybe life gave us lemon once in a while, but there would always be a rainbow after the rain. Pursuit of happiness instead of superficial objects such as material needs and fame can be a step further to a life of no regrets.

Reader's Response Draft 3 (Edited Version)

Reader’s Response:

Who’s the true enemy of internet freedom- China, Russia, or the US?-

Morozov, E.

According to Morozov (2015) in ‘Who’s the true enemy of internet freedom-China, Russia, or the US?’, United States (US) despite being an advocate of internet freedom demanded to obtain internet information regardless of where it was stored as long as it was handled by US companies. This greatly offsets China’s policy in the blockage of foreign websites and Russia’s regulation which restricts the storage of surveillance data on servers inside the country.

US backing of internet freedom is indeed a mask to achieve her egotistic aims of increasing her internet sovereignty at the expense of violating civil and political rights of technology films and other nations.

In 2014, US, China and Russia were among countries that were marked as ‘enemies of the internet’ by Reporter Without Boarders, a distinction to highlight countries with the highest level of internet censorship and surveillance.

Despite the low level of internet censorship as compared to China and Russia, US had tried to propagate an extensive internet surveillance over technology films and other nations in the name of ‘internet freedom’. This is demonstrated in the article, where US demanded to bypass the legal procedures involved to obtain internet information from other countries as long as it was handled by US companies. Furthermore, US companies had also installed advanced network systems in other countries that were complex and costly to undo. Therefore, it is rather ironic for US to be supportive of internet freedom at one end and exploiting the political rights of other nations at the other.

In terms of economic purposes, US support of ‘internet freedom’ can be a cover for the rapid expansion of US Info-communication Technology (IT) companies in other countries to dominate the global IT sector. Referring back to the article, Google had even funded a $60million undersea cable connecting Brazil to Florida in order to promote connectivity between the two countries. Instead of the political reason of promoting a swift transfer of internet resources between the two countries, a possible reason for US to initial this project is to ensure her server stays relevant in other countries.

Referring to an online news report by Australian Broadcasting Corporation News (ABC News), US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Justice Department had even demanded Twitter to hand over user data without the acknowledgement of the users due to surveillance law. This had deeply violated the privacy of users of Twitter, whom every word was constantly monitored by the US authorities. In addition, US internet surveillance on Twitter users had violated the US constitution’s First Amendment which entitled citizens to the freedom of speech.

From the US perspective, the propagation of internet surveillance mainly brings about benefits for the nation. For instance, the omission of legal procedures in order to obtain internet data from other nations; globalization of US IT companies; deterrence against social unrest, child pornography and promotion of national security. However, propagation of internet surveillance by US may bring about mass surveillance worldwide, which violates the political and civil rights of other nations. It is also seemly impudent to demand every nation to disclose digital surveillance in order to promote internet freedom. These digital documentations are supposed to be highly confidential. Even if these digital documents are handled by US companies, the required legal procedures have to be done to prevent the leak of confidential information.

In conclusion, it may be difficult to put a definition on the degree of digital surveillance that nations shall impose, as that truly depends on the interest of the people involved. Nevertheless, US overbearing demands to propagate her internet surveillance over technology films and other countries is not acceptable. To build an ‘internet free’ society requires the cooperation between every nations and US self-centred ideology of building her digital empire in the name of promoting internet freedom is rather one-sided.

References

Morozov , E. (2015, Jan4). Who’s the true enemy of internet freedom - China, Russia, or the US?. The Guardian. Retrieved from: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/04/internet-freedom-china-russia-us-google-microsoft-digital-sovereignty

ABC News (2014, Oct8). Twitter sues US government claiming freedom of speech is being violated by surveillance laws. Retrieved from: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-08/twitter-suing-us-government-for-breaching-freedom-of-speech/5799666

Reader's Response: Who’s the true enemy of internet freedom- China, Russia, or the US?- Evgeny Morozov

Reader’s Response:

Who’s the true enemy of internet freedom- China, Russia, or the US?- Evgeny Morozov

Inferring to ‘Who’s the true enemy of internet freedom-China, Russia, or the US?’- Evgeny Morozov (2015), the author believes that United State despite being an advocate of internet freedom, had demanded to obtain internet information regardless of where it is stored as long as it is handled by US companies. This greatly offsets China’s policy in the blockage of foreign websites and Russia’s regulation which restricts the storage of surveillance data on servers inside the country.

In my opinion, United States backing of internet freedom is indeed a mask to achieve her egotistic aims at the expense of invading civil and political rights of other nations.

In 2014, United States, China and Russia were among countries that was marked as ‘enemies of the internet’ by Reporter Without Boarders, a distinction to highlight countries with the highest level of internet censorship and surveillance.

Despite the low level of internet censorship as compared to China and Russia, United State had tried to propagate an extensive internet surveillance over other nations in the name of ‘internet freedom’. This is demonstrated in the article, where US had demanded to bypass the legal procedures involved to obtain internet information from other countries as long as it is handled by US companies. In additional, US companies had also installed advanced network systems in other countries that are complex and costly to undo. Therefore, it is rather ironical for US to be supportive of internet freedom at one end and exploiting the political rights of other nations at the other.

In terms of economical purposes, I believe US support of ‘internet freedom’ is just a cover for the rapid expansion of US Info-communication Technology (IT) companies in other countries to dominate the global IT sector. Inferring from the article, Google had even funded a $60million undersea cable connecting Brazil to Florida in order to promote connectivity between the two countries. Is it really to ensure swift transfer of internet resources between the two countries or is to ensure her server stays relevant in other countries? The answer to this question is rather simple. Just like the saying,' There is no free lunch on this Earth.'  I believe there must be something up US sleeve for initialling this project. 

From the US perspective, the propagation of internet surveillance mainly brings about benefits for her own nation. For instance, the omission of legal procedures in order to obtain internet data from other nations; globalization of US IT companies; deterrence against social unrest, child pornography and promotion of national security. However, propagation of internet surveillance by US may brings about mass surveillance worldwide, which violates the political and civil rights of other nations. It is also seemly impudent to demand every nations to disclose digital surveillance in order to promote internet freedom. These digital documentations are supposed to highly confidential. Even if it is handled by US companies, the required legal procedures have to be done to prevent the leak of confidential information.

In conclusion, it may be difficult to put a definition on the degree of digital surveillance that nations shall impose, as that truly depends on the interest of the people involved. Nevertheless, US overbearing demands to propagate her internet surveillance over other countries is not acceptable. To build an ‘internet free’ society requires the cooperation between every nations and US self-centred ideology of building her digital empire in the name of promoting internet freedom is rather one-sided.

Reference

Evgeny Morozov (2015,Jan4). Who’s the true enemy of internet freedom - China, Russia, or the US?.The Guardian. Retrieved from

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/04/internet-freedom-china-russia-us-google-microsoft-digital-sovereignty

Outline of reader response

Thesis Statement:

United States backing of internet freedom is just a mask to achieve her egotistic aims.

Supporting Claims:

• As a means of America's globalization agenda, US companies had installed advanced network system in other countries that is complex and costly to undo.
• Instead of complex legal process involving bilateral treaties between the governments in order to obtain information sovereignty in other countries, the american government now wants to sidestep that completely and treat the handling of such data as a purely local issue with no international implications.

‘Who’s the true enemy of internet freedom-China, Russia, or the US?’ Summary

‘Who’s the true enemy of internet freedom-China, Russia, or the US?’ Summary

Inferring to ‘Who’s the true enemy of internet freedom-China, Russia, or the US?’- Evgeny Morozov (2015), the author believes that United State despite being an advocate of internet freedom, had demanded to obtain internet data regardless of where it is stored as long as it is handled by US companies. This greatly offsets China’s policy in the blockage of foreign networks and Russia’s regulation which restricts the storage of surveillance data on servers inside the country.

Reference

Evgeny Morozov (4Jan2015). Who’s the true enemy of internet freedom - China, Russia, or the US?.The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/04/internet-freedom-china-russia-us-google-microsoft-digital-sovereignty

DONE BY: NGOH JIE RUI, ZHENG DA