Terrorism and Radical Ideologies
There is not one generally accepted definition of the term terrorism. However, terrorism is a doctrine and an instrument. It presumes the effectiveness of tactics that generate fear. Terrorism ranges from using force or threats in the political arena to conspiratorial exercises of planned, direct violent activities, without moral or legal restrictions, primarily directed at non-combatants and civilians. Radical ideologists embrace these ploys for their psychological and propagandistic results on their intended audiences and parties in the conflict. Use of force is central to terrorism; however, it is not the goal. The critical component of terrorism is spreading fear; it is more important than spreading death. Radicals use terrorism and other violent means not to cause
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We must be able to overwhelm them by this means, without which I do not see a way through". The previous quote captures the essence of a large sector of the American society concerning war against radical ideologies and terrorism in general. The mindset is that efforts to appease extremists will not divert them from their radical ideologies. The long-term strategy should be to destroy the enemy. This confrontational military ideology will not have a lasting success because it will not have the support by a vast number of citizens. Caspar Weinberger, in an address to the National Press Club in 1984, as Secretary of Defense under President Ronald Reagan, commented that "the point we must all keep uppermost in our minds is that if we ever decide to commit forces to combat, we must support those force to the fullest extent of our national will [with] objectives that are clearly defined and understood and supported by the widest possible number of our