This information was obtained through Google AI, Gemini.
Terrorism, while a historically present phenomenon, has evolved
significantly in its origins, identity, and current manifestations.
Origins of Terrorism
The term "terrorism" itself originated during the French Revolution's
"Reign of Terror" (1793-1794), where the Jacobin government used
systematic violence, including mass executions, to suppress opposition and
enforce state obedience. Initially, the term was associated with
state-sponsored violence.
However, the use of terror as a political weapon by non-state actors
has much older roots:
* Ancient Times: Some
scholars trace acts resembling terrorism back to groups like the Jewish Sicarii
Zealots in the 1st century AD, who assassinated Roman collaborators, or the
Hashashin in the 11th century. These early forms often had religious or
ethno-political motivations.
* 19th Century: The mid-19th
century saw the term increasingly associated with non-governmental groups.
Anarchist movements in Europe, Russia, and the United States employed
assassinations and bombings to achieve revolutionary political and social
change. Groups like the Irish Republican Brotherhood (Fenian dynamite campaign
in 1881) are considered early examples of modern terrorist techniques.
* 20th Century: The 20th
century witnessed a diversification of terrorist groups, including
nationalist-separatist organizations (e.g., IRA, ETA), leftist revolutionary
groups (e.g., Red Brigades, Red Army Faction), and right-wing extremists. The
1970s, in particular, saw a rise in international attention to terrorism with
conflicts like the Troubles in Northern Ireland and the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict.
Identity of Terrorism
Defining "terrorism" is complex, with no universally
agreed-upon definition. However, key aspects of its identity generally include:
* Use or Threat of Violence:
Terrorism involves the intentional use or threat of violence.
* Non-Combatant Targets: It
typically targets non-combatants or civilians, distinguishing it from
conventional warfare. The goal is often to spread fear and psychological impact
beyond the immediate victims.
* Political or Ideological
Goals: The violence is not random but aims to achieve political, ideological,
religious, or social objectives. It's a method of coercion to influence a
larger audience or government.
* Psychological Impact:
Terrorism seeks to create widespread fear, sow insecurity, and pressure
decision-makers to change policies.
* Rational, Not Insane
Actors: While their ideologies may be extreme, terrorists are generally not
clinically insane or irrational. They are often rational actors who employ
terrorism as a deliberate strategy to achieve their objectives.
* Group and Personal
Identity: Terrorism is often linked to strong group and personal identities. It
can stem from a confluence of a collectivist cultural identity, fundamentalist
adherence to principles (religious or cultural), and a social identity based on
sharp contrasts between "us" and "them."
* Not Solely Linked to
Poverty or Psychopathology: While socioeconomic factors can contribute to
grievances, terrorists are not necessarily drawn from the poorest segments of
society and typically do not exhibit a common personality profile or
psychopathology.
Current Situation of Global Terrorism
The global terrorism landscape continues to evolve and presents a
complex threat:
* Increased Lethality, Fewer
Incidents (Overall): While the number of terrorist incidents globally has
decreased in some recent years, the lethality of attacks has increased, meaning
fewer attacks are causing more deaths.
* Geographic Shift: The
epicenter of global terrorism has largely shifted from the Middle East to
sub-Saharan Africa, particularly the Central Sahel region. This region now
accounts for a significant proportion of global terrorism-related deaths.
* Persistent Threats: Major
international Salafi-jihadist organizations like Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State
(ISIS), though weaker than their peak, remain committed to attacks against
Western interests and continue to operate in various regions.
* Rise of Domestic Terrorism:
In countries like the United States, domestic terrorism (driven by ideologies
such as white supremacy, partisan extremism, and Salafi-jihadism) poses a
greater threat than international terrorist organizations.
* Lone Wolf Attacks: Lone
actors or small, decentralized groups, often radicalized online, are a
significant and challenging threat, especially in the West. They are harder to
identify and disrupt due to their lack of clear group affiliation.
* Online Radicalization and
Recruitment: The internet and social media continue to be crucial tools for
terrorist organizations to spread propaganda, radicalize individuals, and
recruit new members, enabling attacks by sympathizers.
* Interconnectedness with
Conflict: Over 90% of terrorist attacks and 98% of terrorism deaths in recent
years have occurred in conflict zones, highlighting the strong link between
conflict and terrorism.
* Emerging Trends: The threat
from certain groups, like the Houthis in the Middle East, has increased
regionally. There's also been a surge in antisemitic and Islamophobic hate
globally, which can be linked to heightened tensions and potential for
violence.
* Adaptation of Terrorist
Groups: Terrorist organizations are becoming more adaptable, forming loose
coalitions and leveraging complex collaborative networks for sharing resources,
information, and personnel.
In summary, while the historical roots of terrorism are diverse, its
contemporary identity is characterized by its strategic use of violence against
non-combatants for political ends, often fueled by extremist ideologies. The
current situation shows a geographic shift of the primary threat to sub-Saharan
Africa, alongside persistent dangers from established groups, the rise of lone
wolf attacks, and the pervasive influence of online radicalization.
Blogger's note:
Judging by the above, the following instances are definitely terrorism:
1. Hiroshima and Nagasaki
2. Sabra and Shatila
3. Gaza invasion by Israel
4. Indian aerial attack of 7th May.
4. Indian atrocities in Kashmir
5. Assassinations of various political and religious figures.
