Assessing and Managing the Terrorist Threat

Assessing and Managing the Terrorist Threat

Introduction

This article discusses terrorism and ways of fighting it. Terrorism has been a serious concern for the international community since 1937. However, the United Nations (UN) hasn't been able to provide an agreed upon definition of terrorism until 2004. A UN panel in November 2004 agreed on an academic perspective, which described terrorism as any act “intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international organization to do or abstain from doing any act”. Since its establishment, the UN has issued 12 major multilateral conventions and protocols for counter-terrorism purposes. But many states have not been party to these international instruments or do not implement them, evidently for political reasons. In all, there are as many as over one hundred definitions of terrorism.

Ways of Fighting Terrorism

Terrorism is considered to be a weapon of the weak because people think that things can be sorted out by means of negotiation. There are many people who think that nothing can be sorted out by fighting and by the use of weapons. It does not solve the issue, but plays a big role in escalating the issue. This is the reason that wise people do not like violence and they are not in the favor of fighting and creating a negative impact on the world. They think that things should be sorted out in a much mature manner that is beneficial for the people all around the world (Gonzales, Et. al, 2005). This means that they can work for the betterment of the society in a much appropriate manner.

The popular image of terrorism is of extremist groups trying to rebel or promote their ideologies by blowing up airplanes, buses, government buildings, or taking hostages. To understand the motivation of terrorists, we have to consider the conditions the terrorist may live under. A few factors that may attribute to the cause of terrorism are social, economic, cultural, technological and geographical factors; however, no single factor can be identified as the complete cause of terrorism.

There are many other ways of fighting terrorism. One important and effective way that is found in today's world is the use of media. Terrorism has sparked much debate around the world. It has been portrayed by media in various ways. Newspapers, television, radio and internet ...