Contrary to the oversimplifications in media portrayal, terrorism is always subjectively justified in the eyes of the perpetrators, in extreme, desperate, or what might be termed the ‘apocalyptic’ circumstances of self-defense against genocide and ethnocide (Sluka, 175) Political motivation is translated into a physical force when groups are disempowered by the structure of the policy-making process. For propaganda purposes, labeling political opponents as ‘terrorists’ officially and publicly defines them as immoral and evokes fear and moral disgust against them. It denies that they have any serious political context or legitimacy – that is, that they have any political basis or grievances worth taking seriously.
An “Antiterrorism” document of the Army states: “A critical factor in understanding terrorism is the importance of the emotional impact of the terrorist act on an audience other than the victim. Their goal is not just to win favor for their causes, but to wage undeclared, unconventional war at will (2006)”. By defining opponents as pathologically anti-social, one can then justify treating their demands as of no political consequence; It dehumanizes and demonizes them, and is used to morally legitimize and justify state violence against them – including torture, mutilation, and cold-blooded ‘extrajudicial’ murder(Sluka, 174).” Current-day “terrorism” serves to intimidate the public through a variety of public forms- skyjackings, kidnappings, barricade-and-hostage-taking missions, assassinations, bombings, armed attacks, and threats, which applies public pressure for demands not otherwise achieved in private sector.
Although terrorism is perceived as a “weapon of the weak because the strong also control the doctrinal systems and their terror doesn't count as terror” (Chomsky, 2001), the “The War on Terror” has been seriously complicated due to the complexity of technological communication affecting public understanding of terrorism and what defines terrorist activity. Al-Qaeda, considered the “most dangerous terrorist group for Western countries” and “principal target” of the War on Terror (Cam, 119), possesses highly advanced communication technology. Al-Qaeda attracts individuals either for strategic or social reasons, who often congregate in close-functioning groups. Half-baked assessments (mainly based on under-researched assumptions) of what lures individuals to Al Qaeda is “almost strictly social rather than strategic considerations” (Geltzer, 398). The internet is an integral tool to globalizing terrorist strategy, in order to recruit members and remain unified. Al-Qaeda takes full advantage of technology to disperse leadership, training, and logistics not just regionally but globally (C. J.C. S, 2006). The Internet acts as” the single most important factor in transforming largely local jihadi concerns and activities into the truly global network that al Qaeda has become today’, and culminating in the claim that ‘al Qaeda is rapidly becoming the first web-directed guerrilla network in the world’ (Geltzer, 400)”
Terrorist activity pervades in countries with “intermediate” degrees of freedoms. Regions with lower civil liberties or political rights have higher participation in terrorism ( Frey, 111). The US Army recognizes that “underlying conditions such as poverty, corruption, religious conflict, and ethnic strife create opportunities for terrorists to exploit” but fail to recognize these conditions as the byproducts of of American capitalist imperialism (C.J.C.S, 2006). In this way, George W. Bush was correct when he said “they hate us for our freedom;” we use our freedom to exploit, conquer, and destroy.
An “Antiterrorism” document of the Army states: “A critical factor in understanding terrorism is the importance of the emotional impact of the terrorist act on an audience other than the victim. Their goal is not just to win favor for their causes, but to wage undeclared, unconventional war at will (2006)”. By defining opponents as pathologically anti-social, one can then justify treating their demands as of no political consequence; It dehumanizes and demonizes them, and is used to morally legitimize and justify state violence against them – including torture, mutilation, and cold-blooded ‘extrajudicial’ murder(Sluka, 174).” Current-day “terrorism” serves to intimidate the public through a variety of public forms- skyjackings, kidnappings, barricade-and-hostage-taking missions, assassinations, bombings, armed attacks, and threats, which applies public pressure for demands not otherwise achieved in private sector.
Although terrorism is perceived as a “weapon of the weak because the strong also control the doctrinal systems and their terror doesn't count as terror” (Chomsky, 2001), the “The War on Terror” has been seriously complicated due to the complexity of technological communication affecting public understanding of terrorism and what defines terrorist activity. Al-Qaeda, considered the “most dangerous terrorist group for Western countries” and “principal target” of the War on Terror (Cam, 119), possesses highly advanced communication technology. Al-Qaeda attracts individuals either for strategic or social reasons, who often congregate in close-functioning groups. Half-baked assessments (mainly based on under-researched assumptions) of what lures individuals to Al Qaeda is “almost strictly social rather than strategic considerations” (Geltzer, 398). The internet is an integral tool to globalizing terrorist strategy, in order to recruit members and remain unified. Al-Qaeda takes full advantage of technology to disperse leadership, training, and logistics not just regionally but globally (C. J.C. S, 2006). The Internet acts as” the single most important factor in transforming largely local jihadi concerns and activities into the truly global network that al Qaeda has become today’, and culminating in the claim that ‘al Qaeda is rapidly becoming the first web-directed guerrilla network in the world’ (Geltzer, 400)”
Terrorist activity pervades in countries with “intermediate” degrees of freedoms. Regions with lower civil liberties or political rights have higher participation in terrorism ( Frey, 111). The US Army recognizes that “underlying conditions such as poverty, corruption, religious conflict, and ethnic strife create opportunities for terrorists to exploit” but fail to recognize these conditions as the byproducts of of American capitalist imperialism (C.J.C.S, 2006). In this way, George W. Bush was correct when he said “they hate us for our freedom;” we use our freedom to exploit, conquer, and destroy.
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