terrorism essay

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What are the causes of terrorism and how can it be stopped?

“Terrorism and guerrilla warfare, whether justified as resistance to oppression or condemned as disrupting the rule of law, are as old as civilization itself. The power of the terrorist, however, has been magnified by modern weapons, including television, which he has learned to exploit.” (Guerrillas and Terrorists) There are many definitions and forms of terrorism: biological and chemical, nuclear, international, cyber, criminal, environmental, and US Domestic terrorism are some examples. Usually, terrorists blackmail governments with hostages to reach their ultimate goals. “In the 1980’s, kidnapping was the preferred action of terrorists groups.” (World History People and Nations) In some incidents, terrorists kill unsuspecting, innocent people and themselves as well.

The Purpose of Terrorism:

Why do people become terrorists and inflict terror? What is their true purpose? Why do they have to destroy the remaining peace in our world? Before this research, I realize that terrorism took so many forms. Since terror means fear, horror, and fright, terrorism was a just “horrible thing” to me. Now, it is an issue that has a great impact on our society and world; it is not to be taken lightly.

Many analysts, researchers, and professors have tried to define the purpose of terrorism. Some believe that that can only be achieved when we know how the mind of a terrorist works.

Terrorists are like pests that one can not get rid of. Like a virus being exposed to anti-bodies, they just get stronger and “immune” to our defenses. “Terrorists are nothing if not adaptable. International terrorists have shifted tactics and targets many times over the years in response to changing circumstances. Shifting political fortunes and new antiterrorism measures will continue to force existing terrorist groups to reinvent themselves and new groups to find new methods.” (“The Rise of Terrorism”, Online)

“Terrorism, the systematic use of violence or threat of violence by organized groups to achieve specific goals. Terrorist activities may be directed against individuals, organizations or governments. Terrorism is employed by radical groups to obtain concessions from established governments, such as a change in policies unfavorable to them or the release of imprisoned members of their organizations…” (“Terrorism”, N. S. Encyclopedia T-169)

“The FBI defines terrorism as the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives. Cyber-terrorism could thus be defined as the use of computing resources to intimidate or coerce others. An example of cyber-terrorism could be hacking into a hospital computer system and changing someone's medicine prescription to a lethal dosage as an act of revenge.” (Sproles and Byars, Online)

“The terrorist's mission is often hard to understand, especially when the terrorists in question are young, and have no real political motives. In the book The Terrorists: their Weapons, Leaders and Tactics, by Christopher Dobson and Ronald Payne, terrorists are said to live by two rules:

"1. The use of violence is obligatory to induce fear and chaos, and 2. It must be aimed at the people and the institutions of the established order." (“Lisson”)

Who can be identified as terrorists? The previous quote was applied to the Columbine High School shooting. The victims were teenagers and adults, but the “terrorists” were two hateful teenage boys. “High School is four long years to a young person, and the repeated mocking of the so-called 'Black Trench Coat Mafia' drove hatred into the hearts of the taunted, hatred for those who mocked them. And, as we saw at Columbine High, the outsider's anger at being excluded from their society often takes a dangerous turn.” (“Lisson”)

Children lose their innocence much due the fact that they are
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