Terrorist Organizations, Research Paper Example

What is the motivation of the selected terrorist organization?

Banned organization selected for discussion is “Al Qaida”. It is known to be the famous and most horrified terrorist organizations. I have chosen it as this organization is well known by every person in the world. The incident of 9\11 was one of the greatest accidents or the largest terrorist activity in the world. Al Qaida accepted that they were involved in that incident which helped to understand their objectives.

This organization gets motivation from many factors. Leaders use the name of religion Islam for their acts but actually Islam does not allow anyone to do any sort of terrorist activity. This motivates the persons involved and tries their best to destroy the religion’s reputation. They justify their activities in many ways but all are useless (Commission of the European Communities, 2004). The main thing that motivates the persons involved is that the so-called enemies are working against their interests. Negative elements involved do not want anyone to do any activity which is against their prime interest. The biggest motivation identified is the hatred of Jews and the anti-Semitism. Al Qaeda represents themselves always against the Jews. They have been found to attack the places most which have Jews residing in those areas. The spokesperson of Al Qaeda has himself said that the war is between them and the Jews. Several attacks other than the 9/11 are also motivated by Jewish issues as people have hatred towards them. (ADL)

The peace is the most disastrous thing for them and peace is not acceptable to such organizations in any way. They use many religious factors for their motivation. They use to brainwash the children and change the mind which ultimately sets negative objectives. Heaven is promised to be the ultimate reward for all such negative activities. This motivates and inspires them.

How might knowledge of the terrorist’s motivation assists in planning counterterrorist strategy?

We get much help from their motivations in order to counter their acts. This knowledge will help us understand what their targets are what can be done to counter their evil acts. This helps in developing anti terrorism and counter terrorism strategies. Strategies can be easily formulated as their missions as well as motivating factors are well known now. Authorities can have success and eradicate them easily as now their missions are clear. Everyone has now the knowledge that what are their activities and what they want to do. We can make strategies easily to get rid of their activities.

Intelligence reports are also very helpful in making strategies. Their planning and their missions are now clear. Many countries have made their counter terrorism strategies after having the reports of their activities that what are they planning to do in future. Many achievements have also been made.

Many strategies can be made if we know about the planning of the terrorists who help us to remove these terrorists. As Al Qaida has its top priority to destroy America so America has produced many strong policies of defense and especially against Al Qaida. Many counter terrorism strategies have been made and through these policies many goals have been accomplished. Like for Al Qaeda it is most probable that they will attack those places with a Jewish majority.

How do the motivations of terrorists differ from the motivations of other violent criminals, such as those who commit murder, rape, and domestic assault?

The motivations of terrorists are more serious than the motivations of the normal violent criminals. The normal violent criminals just play or do crime in a small number but the terrorists do their activities at large number in which many lives are involved. The violent criminals just have the motivation to earn money or they commit these crimes due to their enjoyment, but the motivation of the terrorists differs from them. The task of the terrorists is to spread horror and fear among the people of the whole world. They wanted to have their right in the world and they do not obey the government orders while the violent criminals do not want these things. As they have different motivations and different purposes so their activities are also different.

This is the real difference between the terrorists and the violent criminals. Due to the different motivational level, terrorists are more dangerous and they can go to any limit just to complete their cause.

How might cultural, socioeconomic, or political factors lead someone to become a terrorist or a criminal?

There are many reasons that lead someone to become the terrorist. These reasons include cultural, political and socio economical factors. These factors play a major role in someone’s life. There are many examples in history and still are also prevailing that clears us that these factors play chiefly role in person’s life. The culture is the most important one. It is due to the culture of one’s nation and one’s religion that made him a terrorist. It is a fact that not any religion allows anyone to do these activities but some people use the name of religions to show that that religion stands for the terrorist and they are enhancing terrorist activities.

The political culture also makes someone a terrorist. If the political situation in a country is not better than he ought to do the things that are illegal. He will stand with arms and will protest against the political forces. If the political parties do not use their powers for the right of the people, then these people stand against in the form of terrorist. But this will have negative result of many others. Many people continue their terrorist activities and state do not take any action against them. This encourages them and motivates them. Democracy means of the people, by the people and for the people, if it’s not working properly for the people, the people will result in criminals.

The socio economic condition also affects a person’s life. The failing economic condition produces more terrorists as if people don’t have any way of earning than definitely he will choose illegal ways to earn his food. Poverty and economic disadvantage results in the increasing terrorist and criminal activities. When an unequal distribution of resources takes place people get hurt and start to get their right illegally. This gives rise to criminal activities of a person. Terrorism is the only way through which he can earn. In many underdeveloped countries, in which terrorism is now deepening are the countries where the economic condition is not good. This shows us that poor economic condition really affects terrorism and the risks also increases (Hoffman & Bruce, 1998).

References

Commission of the European Communities (2004). “Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament” (DOC). :Retrieved: 11 03, 2013.

Hoffman, Bruce, (1998). Inside Terrorism, Columbia University Press, ISBN 0-231-11468-0. P. 32, retrieved: 13-03-2013.