Terrorism: An Old Problem With a New Face

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Terrorism has been seen as a growing problem in the western world. As the violent activities persist the techniques get more advanced. The terrorists learn new tactics and become more aware of the way to execute their plans. The problem becomes finding out who is a terrorist and who is not. There are those that have clearly defined themselves as terrorists such as those associated with the Al Qaeda. But then there are also those that remain disguised against the public view. A big question becomes how do we stop this from growing and more importantly what causes such violent behaviour. To understand this we must look at how it started, what the motives are, and the evolution of it over time.Terrorism is a growing problem in the western world and it will affect the relationship between the west and the rest in a negative way.
To begin with, the existence of terrorism can go back to the early ages of Judaism and the roman occupation. The Zealots of Judea were Jewish extremists. They often partook in terrorist activities against “the Roman occupation forces, as well as any Jews they felt had collaborated with the Romans.  Their motive was an uncompromising belief that they could not remain faithful to the dictates of Judaism while living as Roman subjects” (“Early History of Terrorism”). This shows that the feelings of contempt and hatred were present at the onset of one of the oldest religions. Religion is the cause of the beginnings of terrorism and the cultivation of such activity. Terrorism was also present later in a faction of Shia Islam. This group’s “tactic of sending a lone assassin to successfully kill a key enemy leader at the certain sacrifice of his own life(the killers waited next to their victims to be killed or captured) inspired fearful awe in their enemies” (“Early History of Terrorism”). These acts started to evolve and as they did that they created more fear in the people and altered the way of life as people carried out their life in constant fear. The existence of terrorism and terrorists has been there since the beginning of oppression. Because of the fact that these tendencies have existed so long and they have not yet subsided instead they continue to evolve it can be said that they will continue to occur.

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To continue, the motives behind these acts of terror are key in realising the continuation of this behaviour. Many of these acts happen out of religious spite  such as the Zealots of Judea. But there are other motives and goals present for terrorists. One such motive is politics. To achieve political dominance these individuals use violent means to get it. They “merely eliminate the intermediate step of armies and warfare, and apply violence directly to the political contest” (“Terrorist Behaviour”). The government also uses force when they need to but they go through steps before getting to that point. Terrorists are doing the same thing but they are using force and violence only without trying other methods. Terrorists often want to create fear within people while they target the people in charge. One of the greatest motives behind terrorism is “change, revolution, or political movement” (“Terrorist Behaviour”). Often times the line blurs between what is considered an act of revolution and an act of terrorism. Until this line is blurred terrorism will continue to happen and could possibly grow.

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The reaction became a hatred towards all muslims after the attacks of 9/11.

Before the attacks of 9/11 the western world had seen many terrorist attacks. Then what made 9/11 the attack that made the world live in fear constantly? The answer is the evolution of the tactics. Prior to 9/11 “a bomb thought to have been planted by anarchists killed nine police officers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin” ("Terrorism in a Historical Perspective"). Before the attacks of 9/11 the attacks that were seen were done on a small scale. Then on September 11, 2001 the world began to live in terror. This act was successful in creating a state of terror within the western world. Many countries escalated to higher security and became preoccupied with keeping a state of calm in their country.
9/11 can be seen as the “shaping theme of American foreign policy, and by extension to much of the discussion of foreign policy in Europe, the Eurasian landmass, the Middle East and elsewhere” (Halliday, 2011).  This shows that the prevalence of terrorism is such that one act influences the entire western world. Due to this fact terrorism is a growing problem in western countries.
In conclusion, Terrorism has existed for over a millennium and it will continue to exist. The tactics are constantly evolving igniting a sense of fear in the western world. As long as the motives exist terrorism will exist. It is continually growing problem that affects the entire western world.

Works Cited

"Early History of Terrorism." Research Terrorism. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2014. <http://www.terrorism-research.com/history/early.php>.

Halliday, Fred. "Terrorism in Historical Perspective." Open Democracy 2 May 2011: n. pag. Open Democracy. Web. 15 June 2014. <http://www.opendemocracy.net/conflict/article_1865.jsp>.

"History of Terrorism." Research Terrorism. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2014. <http://www.terrorism-research.com/history/>.

"Terrorism in Historical Perspective." Digital History. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2014.

"Terrorist Behaviour." Research Terrorism. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2014. <http://www.terrorism-research.com/behavior/>.