1. Part 1 - The Terrorists
What Terrorists Want introduces the reader to understanding why lives are destroyed due to the weaknesses in government policy regarding terrorism. Richardson includes her personal experience as a child in bringing home the point that governments are weak in fighting terrorism. She covers the historical aspects of terrorism and brings it in context with contemporary issues that Western governments are facing. She then moves on to analyze the threat – ranging from state to individual. As well, she grasps the issue of terrorism, terrorists and the counter-terrorism strategies that Western governments have at present to ensure peace and safety. Richardson has a lot to offer considering her scholarship and expertise in the subject matter.
In chapter one, Richardson expresses the collective understanding that terrorism is accepted as not properly defined - it varies due to government perspectives. Terrorist acts are meant to send a message that must include violence and symbolism. Richardson explains the goal of terrorist organizations falling into two categories. The first being temporal - which is meant without threatening or overtaking. The second being transformation - the taking over of the state is intended or accomplished. These goals are either carried out in isolation or close to their communities. Richardson also discusses the historical examples of terrorist behavior and events that start off in the ancient world. Jews, Muslims and Hindus have set the example of terrorist behavior which ironically are religious in context. Richardson then moves into terrorism events starting from the French Revolution to Russian anarchists in the nineteenth century.
Richardson uses the example of Omar Sheikh to highlight radicalization. This particular individual was an upright person, who at an early stage of life had a charitable heart that was seen when he saved a man fallen on the subway tracks of London. In another example years later, he became a terrorist and was said to have killed Daniel Pearl; showing how transformation occurred. The author makes note that the Al-Qaeda organization recruits more educated followers as they need people that can adapt to the use of emerging technologies. Richardson moves on to discuss the organizations and weaknesses, one bring the divide on goals; that trainers tend to use group psychology in an attempt to reduce the divide, as it is beneficial to the cohesiveness of the organization. This led into understanding state level organizations as individuals have represented not only terrorist groups, but also foreign governments. Richardson does discuss that democracy has a weakness when it comes to terrorism - the very virtues of democracy, which bring freedom to all, also breed terrorism – as terrorists also inherit these freedoms. Her explanation’s of society are discussed and notes that terrorism will occur more in developing countries that are experiencing rapid modernization.
The final chapter of part one devotes itself to analyzing why terrorists commit suicide. A trend that is disturbing in contemporary terrorism events as suicide terrorists are coming from the host country. This has become an effective tactic for the weaker side of the war and is cost effective – a typical operation in Israel costs $150.00 whereas September 11th cost approximately $500,000.00; in both cases causing extreme financial damage. Trainers use group solidarity to motivate suicide terrorists; and is supported by countries such as Pakistan, Iran and domestically via mosques that purport extremism – which led to the London train bombings by two residents of England.
Part 2: The Counter-Terrorists
In the second part of this book, Richardson deals with the counterterrorist. She notes September 11 being one of the first times terrorists killed a large number of people in one specific attack. As the United States is a target, it also is seen as a colonial power needing to be destroyed. The common complaint that is brought from the Middle East is that the United States has misguided foreign policy when dealing with Middle Eastern people and nations. Osama Bin Laden focuses on the grievances that the United States, and its support of Israel, has brought to the Middle East - especially to the Islamic people. Richardson notes that U.S. foreign policy is short sighted and does not consider the greater issues such as human rights, political interference and fairness. During the Cold War, the United States mistook nationalism for communism – noting that nationalism itself is evident in North American countries. It was unfortunate that nationalism was thought of to be part of communism; as many South American countries would have blossomed and been great allies of the United States. What the United States is now frightened about is Islam - trying to differentiate radical Islam from innocent civilians is going to be a challenge.
Richardson discusses one key point - stating that the same check and balance’s in the United States, for deploying its forces against its people, are not evident in Latin America. Therefore, many innocent Latin American civilians were subject to extreme violent tactics by the Latin American military in order to suppress terrorism. To have a balance between fairness and justice will be a challenge for America. Richardson covers the errors made from the post 911 era. One of them being entry into Iraq based on believing that Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden were partners. The Bush Administration felt that there was a strong link between the two. It is noted that Osama Bin Laden despises Saddam Hussein because of his secular viewpoint and has previously offered assistance to remove the former president. Unfortunately, some in the Administration did not understand the greater perspective at hand. In essence, Richardson states that “we have created a self fulfilling prophecy ” (191). A better alternative would have been to educate the American public rather than base fact on false information and mislead; thereby having the international community see the United States in an unfavorable light.
Richardson closes by providing a framework of understanding when countering terrorism both domestically and abroad. She covers six roles which are as follows:
• Have a defensible and achievable goal,
• Live by your principles,
• Know your enemy,
• Separate the terrorists from their communities,
• Engage others in countering terrorists with you,
• Have patience and keep your perspective.
Richardson notes that the United States has not followed any proactive counter-terrorism policy. She makes a point of mentioning that terrorism will not disappear, but rather continue into the future; even though the USA has made positive changes to their counter-terrorism policy as of late. She makes a special note that the Muslim diaspora may produce the next wave of terrorist attacks and events in the Western world. Her thoughts on the ideology that motivated Irish terrorists will be the same ideology that motivates Islamic terrorists - and that the future of terrorism will be a unifying solidarity movement through jihadism, extremist ambitions and protest.
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