Terrorism, Before, Now & Then

No analyst has found himself able to define exactly the concept ‘Terrorism’ until the date. Every country describes its meaning in accordance with their problems. If the US says Iraqis are spreading terrorism, Iraqis say US is the source of terrorism. There are many more examples.

Terrorism is not a new concept. It has been found all the time, either in one form or in other form. It continues with different dimensions. We can found the roots of terrorism way back from some 2000 years.

As far as present day terrorism is concerned, it has been motivated by religious conviction. However, it had a political dimension too when the Sicari and the Zealots Jewish groups who were active during the Roman occupation of first century Middle East. They had used horrific weapons to torture and murder a mainly Jewish people. That had been called as terrorism too.

Terrorism and Nationalism

The Nationalists and Anarchists have defined terrorism in a different way. France had defined terrorism, during 1793 -1794, as nothing other than justice, prompt, severe, inflexible, it is therefore an emanation of virtue. It is not so much a special principle as it is a consequence of the general principle of democracy applied to our country’s most urgent needs.

More than 40,000 people were executed by guillotine for that reason.

Terrorism and Marxism

Marxist often observed as terrorism as offering a means for change.

The Irish Republican Army in Ireland had adopted terrorism as a means to get their desired end and to deliver a message to a wider audience other than the immediate target.

Terrorism in Post World War World

After the outbreak of World War 1914, there was the time of sponsored terrorism. The Serbian government and military were reportedly involved in training and arming various Balkan groups.

There were so many examples of sponsored terrorism during that time. People were fighting in Kenya, Malaysia, Cyprus and Palestine who can certainly be described as terrorist and getting the supports of other nations.

Terrorism and Role of Media

The new-era terror groups exploited the wave of globalisation and the expansion of media power to facilitate their demand and activities.

The International Media, in certain ways, helped these terrorists for the successful realization of their goals.

Terrorism and Ethnic Factors

During the 1970’s, the motivated factor behind the terrorism was not only the nationalism. There were many causes emerged as the motivational factors such as ethnic and ideological considerations such as the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO), the Basque group ETA, the Italian Red Brigades and Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK).

All these groups adopted terrorism to publicize their goals and accomplishments internationally. There was a race to get International recognition was on. Many of these are remain active today and others. Some groups such the IRA, has moved towards political means to resolve their issues rather than terrorism.

Today’s Terrorism

In a present day world, Terrorism is affecting the whole scenario of the world. It has become the greatest threat to the whole Humanity. Nations are building the alliance to fight terrorism such as the Global War Against Terrorism. These efforts are dividing the world in groups.

It is making the situation worse and the world is being divided in the groups based on religions. This is the worst thing happenning in the world. And as a result act of terrorism is making appearances in many shapes and colors.

Civil War and Terrorism

One cannot say that what is going on in Iraq is full-scale civil war between Shia and Sunnis and other groups. This may be called as another form of terrorism. The groups are using most powerful weapons that are making devastating effects on the whole of the Baghdad community and the morale of the people.

Terrorism is being defined as means of civil war in present day world. You can see the example of Algerian Civil War started in 1991. There was an armed conflict between the Algerian government and various Islamist rebel groups and almost 150000 to 200000 were reportedly killed in the fight.

The complicated Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) was aggravated by changing national demographic trends: Christian and Muslim inter-religious strife, and the involvement of Syria, Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organisation.

The Shia militias came from the Palestinian community and the Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas, initially aided and trained by Iran and backed from Syria.

Sunni Militias, received support from Libya and Iraq. Now after the murder of Lebanon’s Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel, Lebanon is looking again on the verge of civil war.

Ways to stop Terrorism

Osama Bin Laden has been reportedly acknowledged that at least 10,000 Saudis contributed to the war in Afghanistan.

What is the need of the time is that to stop the big nations to divide the world in the name of fighting against the Terrorism and in the name of religions. Every terrorism-affected country has its own problem, let the people of that country decide. If the people would successfully resolve the issue, the need of terrorism would be washed.

The implementation of Democratic principles is the sole way to restrict the terrorism. Democracy cannot work unless there is a political structure in place, which included the established civil society, political parties, the free press and the judiciary system. We cannot establish a democracy under an umbrella of bombs and devastation.