Objectives:
• Understanding of real origin of terrorism
• To know about the famous terrorists movements
• To understand the role of psychologists and counter terrorism
• To get an insight about the role of psychologists in the use of war propaganda and brain
washing
What is Terrorism?
Terrorism is defined by the US Department of Defense as "the unlawful use of -- or threatened use of -- force or violence against individuals or property to coerce or intimidate governments or societies, often to achieve political, religious, or ideological objectives."
The word terrorism is used in many historical, political contexts. Terrorism has been around as a major trouble to governments as long as recorded history but in this lecture we will address modern kind of terrorism , modern terrorism originates in communist struggle and freedom fighting. As terrorism was systematically used in communism and freedom fighting particularly in the countries of colonial occupation like Britain, France and Italy e.t.c There are people who believe in wild struggle and fighting to win or get freedom. They confirm the idea to over throw the power so terrorism is elemental in such movements. In such situations violence and aggression and terrorism gets a logical, rational and philosophical support and is not seen as a dirty word.
They support the idea to weaken the enemy or government with terrorist activities. On contrary few leaders believe in peaceful struggle as Quaid-e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a firm believer of peaceful struggle for freedom.
Famous Terrorist Movements:
• Guerrilla Warfare
• Red Brigades (Italy 1970s)
• Irish Republic Army
• PLO
• ANC - African National Congress
- Guerrilla Warfare
Mao Zedong is considered founders of Guerrilla warfare who was a communist and guerilla warfare was used during the Chinese civil war. Basic tactics are based on use of violence and aggression for the attainment of goal and even a Book entitled “guerrilla war fare “written by Che Guevara (an American-Latin leader) was published addressing the tactics of defeating the enemy with the help of terrorist activities. Terror is used to focus international attention on the guerrilla cause, killing of opposition leaders, shake down cash from targets, frighten the general population, create economic losses, and keep followers and possible defector in line.
- Red Brigades (Italy 1970s)
Brigate Rosse in Italian, were a terrorist group located in Italy and active during the 1970s. Red Brigades sought to create a revolutionary state through armed struggle and to separate Italy from the Western Alliance (NATO). Suicidal bombing attacks, systematic assassination, plane high jacking and killings were very common and they murdered many important persons.
Brigate Rosse in Italian, were a terrorist group located in Italy and active during the 1970s. Red Brigades sought to create a revolutionary state through armed struggle and to separate Italy from the Western Alliance (NATO). Suicidal bombing attacks, systematic assassination, plane high jacking and killings were very common and they murdered many important persons.
- Irish Republic Army
The IRA fought a guerrilla war against the government military in Ireland from 1919 to July 1921and as mentioned earlier it was a wild struggle incorporating all terrorist activities.
- PLO
The Palestinian Liberation Organization also approved the use of violence, aggression and exclusively"armed struggle" against Israeli occupation.
- ANC - African National Congress
The African National Congress (ANC) has been South Africa's governing party, usually people know the ANC leadership concluded that the methods of non-violence but infact they also used the violent tactics and Nelson Mandela was convicted for 20 years.
Misconceptions
Misconceptions
A famed misconception in west is that “Jihad” and terrorism are closely linked. Muslims are viewed as most
suitable suicide bomber because of the concept of “Shahadat”.
• Modern Jihad in Chechnya
• Modern Jihad in Afghanistan
We need to understand Jihad in its real context as it was launched by Hazrat Muhammad PBUH in “Gazwat”. That was the legitimate “Jihad” and had clear frame of work and instructions. In Islam, a war is not for oppressing or subjugates civilians; it is waged for the cause of Allah and weak people and there is a clear code of conduct like no women, children and old people will be harmed or injured, poison will not be mixed in wells. We have to make a clear distinction in Jihad and terrorism as these two entities do not go together. As long as the issues of suicidal attacks are concerned this concept is not unique to Islam as we have discussed that suicidal attacks were very common in Red Brigade, American –Latin guerrilla warfare and Irish Republic Army .
• Modern Jihad in Afghanistan
We need to understand Jihad in its real context as it was launched by Hazrat Muhammad PBUH in “Gazwat”. That was the legitimate “Jihad” and had clear frame of work and instructions. In Islam, a war is not for oppressing or subjugates civilians; it is waged for the cause of Allah and weak people and there is a clear code of conduct like no women, children and old people will be harmed or injured, poison will not be mixed in wells. We have to make a clear distinction in Jihad and terrorism as these two entities do not go together. As long as the issues of suicidal attacks are concerned this concept is not unique to Islam as we have discussed that suicidal attacks were very common in Red Brigade, American –Latin guerrilla warfare and Irish Republic Army .
Suicidal attacks have no connection with religion; martyrdom is not the case. Usually suicidal bombings are a political ploy and trick.
Algerian struggle against French colonial rule
Was a violent socialist struggle lead by Ahmad bin Billah. It was purely a secular movement but many people gave their lives but it was not”jihad”
Vietnam Struggle
Vietnam struggle against American occupation was a communist and purely Buddhist movement. Formal and conventional warfare was fought and too much violence and terrorism was involved that American Army had to run away from the Vietnam and were extremely exhausted by the terrorist attacks. But that was not Jihad as suicidal bombing was frequently practiced.
• Challenging beliefs and creating uncertainty is more effective than torture
• Or intimidation
• Reducing media coverage to terrorists is also helpful in counter terrorism
• Not negotiating with terrorists
• Negotiations during hostage taking
• Psychologists as expert negotiators
• Counseling to ex-hostages
• Counseling for victims of terrorism and their relatives
• Psychologists can help in policy making but Eventually the politicians have a decisive
role and psychologists can’t undo wrongs
