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Understanding the Psychology of Terror
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Understanding the Psychology of Terror
Columnist, Foreign Affairs, The New York Times, USA: 'The attack on New York's World Trade Center was the product of a coalition between three groups of terrorists. First, Usama Bin Ladm and his Egyptian partners, men who in another era might have been Marxists or Leninists. They had de-spiritualized Islam and turned it into a Utopian political ideology. The second group was composed of disaffected youths from Saudi Arabia, members of a vast pool of underemployed young men. The third group was made up of the so-called Europeans, Muslim men who lived in the West and were radicalized by that encounter.
All three groups shared a rage stemming from four factors: First, U S support for Israel and autocratic regimes in the Middle East; second, the fact that their civilizations have fallen behind the West; third, the oppiession of their own government; and fourth, conflicting feelings of guilt caused by simultaneous fascination for and revulsion with the decadent West. "
Associate Professor, Northwestern University Medical School, USA: " It might also be useful to examine terrorism from the point of group psychology, for instance the recruitment process for terrorists. Some groups, adolescents, for example, have the kind of attitudes and personal struggles that might make terrorism appealing They are drawn by the promise of adventure or glamour "
Director, Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, United Kingdom: " Terrorism is a criminal activity that can exist in any culture Terrorists are mobilized by a shared identity as an aggrieved group Humiliation leads men to violent crime Terrorism is not a product of any group of countries, but rather of anger and humiliation "
Lecturer in Public Policy, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA: " Many terrorists are attracted by the fact that, in an impoverished country, organized terrorism may pay better than conventional employment "
Adjunct Professor, New York University, USA: " While there is no magic bullet to eliminate terrorism, it is clear it will require education, democratization and economic development to restore self-esteem to aggrieved cultures"
World Economic Forum um Annual Meeting
Era of Fear
• Has the nature of terrorism changed?
• Is fear a natural response to the terrorist threat?
• How can fear prevented?
World Affairs Editor, BBC TV News, United Kingdom: " W destroyed our democracy to defeat terrorism as a result of our fears "
US Secretary of Health and Human Services: " Fear motivate the US to rebuild its national health system, set up a nationwide emergency services communications system, and stockpile vaccines 1 is important that people know the US is prepared Now there is hope a well as fear "
Programme Director, The Centre for the Study of Globa Governance, United Kingdom: " Terrorism now is directed toward civilians to spread fear and hatred and create extremists on both sides We must prevent black holes of terrorism growing in places life Bosnia "
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Congress woman from California (Democrat), USA: " If we are not terrorized, then the terrorist cannot win. If people have real information the ability to terrorize will lessen dramatically Government needs to contribute confidence Leadership needs to set an example If US leaders are fearful, the US will be fearful, if world leaders are fearful, the world will be fearful "
Director, Washington Office, RAND, USA: " The nature of terrorism has changed Terrorists want to undermine trust in government and leadership By not providing more information, we are helping that aim "
Director, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Indonesia: " To prevent fear it is important to have international cooperation in border and customs controls, money laundering and arms smuggling If we detect them early enough we can prevent terrorism "
Reader in Philosophy, Birkbeck College, University of London, United Kingdom: " Fear is a natural response Everyone can be a brave foot soldier in the fight against terrorism by living as if there were no threat"
Vice-President, Fred Alger Management, USA: " One way to deal with terrorism is to normalize it, much as we do with road accidents "
World Economic Forum urn Annual Meeting.
Patterns of Global Terrorism - 2002
Released by the Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism (USA)
April 30, 2003
Cuba
Although Cuba signed and ratified all twelve international Counterterrorism conventions in 2001, it has remained opposed to the U. S. -led Coalition prosecuting the war on global terrorism and has been actively critical of many associated U. S. policies and actions. On repeated occasions, for example, Cuba sent agents to U. S. missions around the world who provided false leads designed to subvert the post-September 11 investigation. Cuba did not protest the use of the Guantanamo Bay base to house enemy combatants from the conflict in Afghanistan.
In 2002, Cuba continued to host several terrorists and U. S. fugitives. Havana permitted up to twenty Basque Fatherland and Liberty members to reside in Cuba and provided some degree of safe haven and support to members of the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and National Liberation Army (ELN) groups. Bogota was aware of the arrangement and apparently acquiesced; it has publicly indicated that it seeks Cuba's continued mediation with ELN agents in Cuba.
An accused Irish Republican Army (IRA) weapons expert and longtime resident of Havana went on trial in Colombia in 2002. He had been caught a year earlier in Colombia with two other IRA members and detained for allegedly training the FARC in advanced use of explosives. Some U. S. fugitives continued to live on the island.
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