WHAT'S LURKING INSIDE THE TERRORISTS' MIND? TO PREVENT TERRORISM, WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND TERRORISTS

October 18, 2002

WHAT'S LURKING INSIDE THE TERRORISTS' MIND? TO PREVENT TERRORISM, WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND TERRORISTS
VIEWPOINT by Saul B. Wilen

The unwavering determination of today's terrorist is a force few Americans understand. However, it is one of the greatest threats to American society, security and safety. The ability to comprehend how the terrorist mind works, and its motivations, are powerful assets in preventing future threats and attacks.

Today's terrorists and their threats are radically different from those of the past. The changes not only represent a shift in methods and tactics but more significantly in the fundamental intent. They are no longer primarily interested in spreading an ideological or geo-political message. They have raised the stakes and no longer expect to survive their murderous attacks. This fatalistic mentality has made previously unthinkable acts possible. Their acts result in fear, economic vulnerability, and the diversion of resources due to on-going threats. The disruption of U.S. security, daily activities, and economic stability are the goals.

In exploring why America is the target for terrorism, Thomas Friedman, columnist for the New York Times, has suggested that several factors have contributed to the present hatred. These include the 50-year Arab-Israeli conflict with America perceived as solely the ally of Israel; a Palestinian population with an average age of 14 years and a worldwide Moslem population with an average age of 25 years - who have lived their entire lives as the "victims" of this conflict; and technology advances that have placed the images of the conflict directly in front of their eyes, in vivid color, on a daily basis. In this context, frustration, resentment and the desire for revenge certainly become engendered.

Couple with this the fact that the United States - the sole remaining superpower - has succeeded in maintaining an open society. Those with radical fundamentalist belief systems equate America's societal openness with decadence. America is wealthy, exerting its influence in the world using at times forceful economic and political pressure. The United States has succeeded, unlike other nations, in establishing the concept of separation of church and state and making it work. This is a major affront to the fundamentalist who fears equality for women, dissent, education, freedoms and rights, and coexisting cultural, religious and political diversities.

Terrorists have shown the ability to get their message out, to stimulate sympathy for their cause, to raise and distribute money and resources, and to create effective worldwide networks. They have demonstrated the ability to plan, wait, and then carry out complex scenarios, to use technology, to recruit and train others, to adapt and blend in with U.S. citizens - while still maintaining their ideological integrity. These remarkable accomplishments demonstrate to America that terrorists must be regarded as formidable adversaries and enemies. These radical fundamentalists believe that their cause is just, that God is on their side and that any and all actions are justified.

America's terrorist enemies have progressively and regularly tested the world's resolve over the past three decades and have succeeded in confusing the perception of their actions by cloaking them in religious zealotry. Martyrdom has become the justification to wantonly kill and destroy. Dealing with terrorism requires an understanding of the spectrum of required actions. This spectrum includes prevention, protection, preparedness, intervention and reaction. Prevention is the critical element and differs significantly from the others in that it offers the best strategy to defeat terrorist threats.

To date, the majority of all efforts and support at all levels have been committed solely to a terrorism strategy based on reaction. This tunnel-vision perspective is fraught with intrinsic dangers. The paradigm shift in terrorist acts has clearly demonstrated that America does not have the resources to support a terrorism reaction strategy. The belief by the director of Homeland Security that, "At the end of the day, the homeland is secure when the hometown is secure" is but an illusion - especially when assessed in the context of the fact that there is no blueprint for protecting America. The assumption that the terrorism solution for the United States will be found in local communities individually prepared to react to a terrorist attack after it has occurred - and without the existence of a comprehensive, coordinated national plan - only re-enforces an enduring vulnerability.

America must not accept this approach. It is counter to America's unique strengths of creativity, ingenuity, resourcefulness, and determination that have sustained this republic for 226 years. In many instances over the past three decades, America's responses to terrorist acts have been indecisive, almost dismissive, as though they were nothing more than brief annoyances. Examples include the use of chemical weapons against the Kurds in northern Iraq, the downing of Pan Am flight 103, the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center, the U.S. embassy bombings in Africa, the USS Cole bombing, and suicide bombings in Israel. America's lack of resolve has fueled the terrorist's resolve to strike with impunity, and they have. Nothing, including the awakening of Sept. 11, has dissuaded terrorist resolve, and Americans are not safer today than they were before.

Americans are great responders and good planners. However, America's major vulnerability today is its lack of a unified strategy to deal with this new terrorist perspective. The resulting disarray since Sept. 11 has resulted in a fragmented approach by the agencies of government at all levels and by the private sector.

The advantages held by the terrorists include the time to plan, the apparent lack of urgency of their time-table, the choice or choices of threats and targets, where and when to unleash an attack or attacks, and the extent of the destruction desired. The large array of potential targets available and the surprise factor are major disadvantages for America. These considerations must be central elements for any efforts to prevent future attacks.

It is increasingly apparent that little has actually changed one year and one month after the tragedies of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. However, Americans have come to believe that things are back to normal and that the United States is able to respond to any terrorist attack. The government fosters this faulty perception by supporting the primary strategy of responding to terrorism as a viable solution. Nothing could be further from the truth.

At a recent meeting in Washington, D.C., hosted by the Office of Homeland Security, convened for representatives of the states to brief them on the status of homeland security, the concept of terrorism prevention was mentioned only in the introductory remarks. Approaches dealing solely with reaction to terrorism and subsequent recovery efforts consumed the remainder of the two days.

What must be done? Institute terrorism prevention strategies now, supported by a willingness to share and communicate effectively. The American people must be trusted to participate in the prevention process. This positive plan requires concerted efforts at all levels and a partnership composed of the people, the government and the private sector, directed by strong, determined, innovative, and dynamic leaders.