Terrorism and Rationality.

By: khairi janbek.


As a phenomenon, terrorism has actually existed throughout history. from the anti-Roman Jewish Sicaris, to teh Assassins of the Olf man of the Mountain, from the act of terror which precipitated the First World war, to the 9/11 attacks on the US. One can argue that, the success of a terror attack lies in the fact that it is an irrational act. In other words, terrorism is an irrational phenomenon and can afford to be so. While on the flip side of the coin, no state or country involved in fighting terrorism, can afford to be irrational, without actually committing itself to acts of state terrorism.

Therefore, the war against terror attempts to utilise rational methods in order to fight irrational ones, giving the impression that, there is np balance in this equation since rationality and irrationality are incompatible. But what can those countries achieve; while fighting terrorism, if they don't resort themselves to irrational methods?.

As we delve deeper into the issue, we find definitions of the terrorism phenomenon, actually reflecting the priorites and particular interests of the specific organs behind them. for instance, the US Department of Defense defines terrorism as " The unlawful use of, or threatened use of force, or violence against individuals or property to coerce or intimidate governments or societies, often to achieve political, religious, or ideological obejectives". While the UN General Assembly's definition of aggression, provided an important caveat for " Peoples under colonial and racist regimes or other forms of alien domination, to seek support" in their struggle for self-determiantion.

So where do we draw the line between terrorists being criminals, lunatics, nihilists, or simply political actors of a particular type, and people who struggle to liberate themselves from foreign oppression and exploitation, with the right ot use all methods at their disposal; including force?. I suppose, which side of the fence the individual is standing on, determines where to draw the line.

If we look at the dictum "No prohibition without definition", This picture does not become in any sense , a theoretical challenge to the international community, but rather a blunt reality that must be dealt with urgently, in order to dry up the swamps of terror, where its incubators emerge on daily basis.