Violence Begets Violence: Tactics Of Terrorism

Violence Begets Violence

With terrorism being such a frequently used ubiquitous term, it is in utmost consequence to define the term accurately. How we understand the connotation of terrorism can determine how we choose to actively respond to it. Terrorism as defined by the CIA is “premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents. Those who employ terrorism, regardless of their specific secular or religious objectives, strive to subvert the rule of law and effect change through violence and fear.”(CIA) Thus, terrorism is a tactic using violence to achieve a goal usually political or social. Violence is “is force used in a way that is morally wrong or that causes

Understanding this can lead to a fundamentally sound policy and counter-tactic to actively curb the use of terrorism. Terrorism is a response. A response to what? Since people using the tactic of terrorism are rational what conditions allow for such tactics to thrive? This leads to a fundamental United States security question why do organizations conducting terror tactics garner so many recruits? For without recruits, there are no individuals to carry out terrorist strategies or plans. It doesn’t matter if we agree with the rationalization of the use of terrorism only that we acknowledge the truth behind the roots of it. As Khouri stated, “Disrupting groups such as ISIL militarily without removing the causes that give them life is a fool’s

In fact, there has been more utilization of terror tactics since the Iraq War. Thus, it seems we have actively respond to terrorism in distinct ways. A famous quote by Martin Luther King states, “Hate begets hate; violence begets violence; toughness begets a greater toughness. We must meet the forces of hate with the power of love... Our aim must never be to defeat or humiliate the white man, but to win his friendship and understanding.”(MLK) Furthermore, “Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”(MLK) With the success of Martin Luther King’s tactics in mind, it seems that Christian ethics on war hold a lot of merit and intelligent guidance. In short, contemporary Christian ethics on war and peace states that The “only acceptable reason a sovereign state can independently engage in a just war is legitimate defense.” (Kleiderer) Furthermore, it is vigorously emphasized that all means of peacemaking is exhausted before resorting to such an action. Thus, as Khouri states, “Sustained military attacks alone have proven difficult to eradicate Al-Qaeda and ISIL, because they merely augment the social, economic, psychological and political stresses that generate mass discontent, vulnerability and desperation and create new ISIL recruits