Originally Posted by
Bill Moore
I read over the heated posts on this site, and wonder why there is so much debate over why terrorists employ suicide bombers as a tactic. The primary reason is that it works, and the second order effects just keep on giving:
1. Sucide Bombers not only create a climate of fear, but require our forces to use defensive tactics that are counter productive in winning the hearts and minds.
2. Once the tactic is validated not only by its effectiveness, but by its social acceptance, it will rapidly spread (find more an more volunteers). The global media (T.V., internet, etc.) has made it not only acceptable, but desirable.
3. It is a poor man's guided missile that not only goes bang and achieves the desired tactical effects, but makes the headlines, sells the war effort (creation of martyrs), and forces us to spend a disproportionate amount of money on defensive measures.
I found the talk about money somewhat amusing, because suicide bombers don't bomb for money, they do it for the cause they believe in. Do you fight only for money? Several suicide bombers are well educated and finacially secure. We're attempting to wish a problem away if we think throwing money at it will change the conditions. While I think the PRTs are doing great work, what effect are they really having? Are we winning? If you hate someone, and then they offer you a $100.00 and ask you how do you like me now? What are you going to say? Listen to the narratives of the terrorists and you will realize you're not going to win them over anytime soon with economic incentives. The economic olive branch is extended to those sitting on the fence, in hopes they don't join the terrorists.
What concerns me is the spread of terrorism throughout the Muslim world, becaus it was not culturally acceptable in Afghanistan, and I think we'll start seeing it employed in SE Asia within the next couple of years.
If Jim Jones can convince educated Westerners to drink the poison Kool Aid, then I don't see why it is so hard to understand why soldiers who are devoutly religious would be willing to die to further their cause. Perhaps our culture has become so materialistic and void of values that we simply can't comprehend this act? Why do we think everyone wants to be like us, the Prozac nation? I think we need to "accept" the fact that many people hate us with a passion, regardless of how many candy bars we pass out, and hate is a powerful emotion that can and is exploited.
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