Research paper on Terrorism

Abstract

The article looks at the menace of terrorism through an investigative point of view. Ever since September the 11th the issue has been at the core of the way our modern world has been reshaped. Further incidents such as those in London and around the world, have hardened attitudes regarding this issue, calling for tougher anti terror regulations and increasing the role of security agencies. There are often divergent views on this topic, which at times run against each other. What will be analyzed here will be the causes, support systems and the results of terrorist activity, historical as well as contemporary.

Introduction

'One Man's Terrorist is Another Man's Freedom Fighter'

Unknown

The above statement clearly defines, the problems we face in defining, exactly what terrorism is. For some, the man high up in the mountains of the Kashmir valley, fighting a guerrilla war against the occupying Indian forces, is a freedom fighter fighting the might of an established and well-equipped Indian army. On the eastern side of the border, in India, the issue is viewed through the prism of cross-border terrorism, which is being instigated by arch rival Pakistan, to destabilize India. For most in the Arab and Muslim world, the actions of a 22 year old Palestinian man, who boarded a bus with explosives packed around his body, killing 19 Israeli citizens (Beaumont. P2002), are considered as an ultimate sacrifice, a holy act that was perpetrated against an occupying force. For journalists and commentators sitting in Tel Aviv however, the incident reminds them of an existential crisis that their nation has faced since its inception.

Terrorism then becomes an issue that has different meanings for different people. It is open to interpretation(Jenkins, P 2003), whether certain people will want to view it a negative or positive way. Further there will be some, who would argue that the cause of terrorism was socially constructed, factors such as poverty, hunger, lack of employment opportunities and dissatisfaction with the ruling class, and were primary motivations behind these acts of terror. Still others will point to an ideology, proponents of which search for the most vulnerable people in the society and radicalize them, and then send them ahead to destinations they want to cause havoc at.

Discussion

During the recent decades, there has been more of a focus on, exactly what motivates a person to such a degree that he goes out and commits the most horrendous crimes that we have seen in a while. Initiatives such as the Quilliam foundation, amongst others have tried answering that question (Quilliam foundation, 2013). A common theme, among such initiatives emerges that more or less looks at the social factors that surround the future terrorist, before the act is committed. In this regard, the process of radicalization comes to the front. Al Qaeda, the firebrand organization, that was once headed by the most wanted man on the FBI list, Osama bin laden is famous for its tactics of brainwashing impressionable youngsters, and ...