Chapter 2- Definition and Dimensions of Terrorism continues...


The five main dimensions of terrorism, we hold, are:

First, terrorism is organized by groups and sometimes sponsored by States. Most nations have experienced terrorism by both—the state as well as by groups. In fact, groups using terrorism as an instrument cannot survive for long without direct or covert state patronage. The states permitting the use of their territory invariably do so because they are using such organized groups as surrogates to achieve their goals. This method was first attempted after World War II, and for four decades, by the Soviet Union. The motive was to create disorder to enable a Communist revolution or create a pliant state to the USSR.

Second, modern twenty-first century terrorism exploits the technologies afforded by globalization, its foot-soldiers are weaned in religious bigotry and hatred, and directly targets democracies as their natural enemies. Today, for example, the main Islamic terrorist groups identify US, Israel and India as their targets. While some States do sponsor terrorism to achieve political goals, the terrorist groups, on the other hand, use social, economic and religious grievances or causes as their motive force. Al Qaida and Osama bin Laden, for instance, justify their jihadi terrorism on the ground that the US is their main stumbling block in achieving the goal of unification of Muslims into one Darul Islam, or pure Islamic State. In India, terrorist violence is almost exclusively directed at the Hindus, and those others thought of being soft on Hindus, or ‘Hinduized.’

Third, terrorism being essentially an instrument of the weak and few against the mighty and many, therefore, the targets of terrorists are usually innocents rather than directly the armed forces of the state. Nowhere was this more evident than in the 11 September 2001 attack on US establishment. Terrorists using civilian planes brought about destruction and death to thousands of innocent civilians by suicide as never before in the history of terrorism.


To be continued...