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I need help with writing two replies to classmates about what motivates terrorist. It needs to be at least 150 words. Below are the two individuals I need to repond to. Thanks
PSYC 360
Hey Christopher,
After reading last week and this week I feel Post has a valid argument. People have a will to choose right from wrong, good from bad. As the author states “individuals become terrorists in order to join terrorist groups and commit acts of terrorism.” (p.35) The argument is valid. Why would anyone join a terrorist group other than to commit an act of violence? The individual knows waking into the decision that violence is the objective or at least terror through the act of violence or the attempted act of violence. Therefore joining a group who perpetuates violence is a sure sign that the person joining will have an association with terrorist acts.
Post mentions another argument at the end of the chapter that can elicit a response to join a violent group or choose not to join. “Until now, the terrorists have had a virtual monopoly on the weapon of the television camera, as they manipulate their target audiences through the media.”(p.40). He explains further one remedy for such a thing is to use the media against the terrorists. Show the public a terror group is not all wine and roses. Show the populace there are grave circumstances for being a terrorist, harboring a terrorist, or aiding and abetting a terrorist or group. Either way a person is going to freely choose what path to take, but the option of showing both sides of the story is crucial. I think of this as corporations marketing their product. They do so in the hopes you will purchase the item if you need it or want it. I love trucks and I own one. The key word is one. All the commercials on TV and on the radio does entice my desires to purchase another one, but I willingly do not do so, that and the other side of the story displayed on the window (the price) is one heck of a way to prove my willingness not to purchase another truck is the correct path of choice.
Post discuses the “us vs. them” mentality, and once we have beaten them then all is right in the world. “Consider the Basque separatists. While they are not a separate nation, to be sure, the degree of autonomy they have achieved is remarkable.”(p.37). Post continues to explain the ETA will not be 100% satisfied until all their goals are met. Once again this is another showing of the choice to remain as an active group and continue on, although conciliations have been met. The idea of working out problems in a non-violent way is an option, but it does not suit the needs and meaning of a terror group. “A terrorist group needs to commit acts of violence in order to justify its existence.”(p.36). Another side from which this can be viewed is lashing out on an enemy because your enemy lashes out against you. If the terror group makes this claim to promote its existence, why not take a non-violent stance and see if your enemy continues to attack you. Most Middle Eastern groups despise the West for many things, but those things seem to change from era to era. First it was US intervention in Iran. When the Shah fell things changed. Then the reason to strike out against the United States was its foot hold in Iraq, well that foot hold is now more along the lines of a toe print, yet terror groups still wage jihad against Washington D.C. Maybe the reason the U.S. wages war on terror groups is for the fact that terror groups willingly waging a war against them. Again it goes back to what Post mentions. Without willfully committing acts or promoting acts of violence a terror group does not have a foundation.
Hey Domenick,
This week’s topic is really interesting because it reminds me of a conversation I recently had with my roommate. He recently bought a 550 dollar RC car, the RC car can go up to 60mph is extremely durable and can carry an exponential amount of weight of on it. Perhaps enough weight for a bomb. So we had a small discussion and my roommate asked “why don’t the terrorist just invest in one of these things, they can blow up whatever they want, and no one will know it was them. At the time I didn’t have the answer, however after this week’s reading it has provided me which so much more insight to the mind of terrorists and terrorists organizations.
The answer to that question is that, the terrorist wants to be known it was them, their organization needs it to grow. Post explains that organizations such as the Muslim Brotherhood need these attacks and recognition in order for them to grow (1). Their recruitments are involved with both politics and religion which can be a dangerous combination in regards to peer pressure. Post continues to explain that these kids that are recruited are often at a young age like 12. They are emerged into a world of religion and taught that being a martyr is one of the greatest sacrifices they could ever have.
At an early age they are fed a variety of psychological challenges that often make the recruits not only join but want to be a star for the organization. For example, some of the parents may be deeply engaged in the organizations as well as politics. (2) Their children are going to want to impress the parents, like many children do, and that how they learn to invest in the organization. They want to follow their parent’s footsteps with religion and politics and get involved. Much like a child whose father was Marine and they want to grow up to be like them. Unfortunately, this is for a worse cause.
Post continues to explain that individuality gets diminished inside of the terrorist organizations. In order for a terrorist organization to be successful they have to ensure that the individuality is lost. (3)This is because when an organization wants orders carried out, it will go without question. Everything must be about the organizations and these psychological techniques are what bring the terrorist organizations closer and give them a sense of honor when suicide attacks are done.
The language that is also used by terrorist organizations are of a unique matter. For example, the terrorist doesn’t look at it as “suicide attack” They think of it as “istishad” (4) which they believe is martyrdom for Allah. Furthermore, the terrorist actually believe suicide is selfish. The unique set of beliefs that are taught to terrorist develop at a young age and are handed to them throughout life. So when the time for istishad comes near, they have enough psychological manipulation to conduct whatever attack is necessary.