Terminological Issues of Terrorism - Essay Example

Terrorism The terms “terrorism against women and children” and “the terrorist act committed by women and children” can be understood as similar and different at the same time. First, many women and children become the victims of terrorism, for example, when terrorists attack private houses where women and children stay, or schools, which are usually full of children. On the other hand, the definition “terrorism against women and children” also has the meaning that is not closely connected with terrorism as the act of violence. The term can be used when we are talking about the violence and cruelty against women and children that they may face in our everyday life. Terrorist acts committed by women and children are becoming a widespread phenomenon. Joann Chesimard is a perfect example. Terrorist groups understand that it is much easier to commit a terrorist act if you are a charming woman or a little child. People usually do not tend to suspect women and children in being capable of committing a violent act. Thus, terrorists can reach their goals easier. Certainly, the representatives of fair sex, and especially little children, can be criminals and victims at the same time, because many of them are forced to commit terrorist acts or they can be imposed upon by some religious believes with this purpose. (Hoffman, Inside terrorism 3). 2. Hezbollah brought too much violence to the world in the past, so its present activity must also be considered as violent. Terrorist organization is the one that uses terror to achieve certain goals, but terror may have different forms (Hoffman, "The Logic of Suicide Terrorism"41). Notwithstanding that now the organization does not commit terrorist attacks, it still wants to have much power by controlling its own TV stations and news channels. Terrorists try to impose their influence on different governments that testifies about their desire to have much power. People should not trust the individuals who were terrorists in the past. Their behavior may turn to violent any moment, thus, European Union is quite right blacklisting them. 3. If we talk about the difference between the terrorism in Europe and in the United States, we should recognize that the terrorism itself and the tactics of struggling with it are very different in both continents. The difference is connected with the way terrorism is treated and the history of terrorist attacks. It is a well-known fact that the goal of the United States is to influence Muslims and impose western values upon them. The goal of the US is very understandable as Muslims’ behavior is sometimes cruel and violent, so it would be better if they accept some western values. However, Muslims value their culture and religion very high and are not going to lose their values or substitute them. They got used to the way of life they conduct, thus, they try to resist the imposed changes. For example, the terrorist act of September 11, 2001, was the Muslims’ response to the United States politics in their countries. Thus, the main goal of the United States regarding terrorism is not to prevent further attacks, but to defeat terrorism as a phenomenon, to eliminate terrorist groups in the bud (Campbell 2). Speaking about Europe, the attitude to terrorists there is very different. If the United States, as a more democratic country, tries to help Eastern countries become more developed, Europeans are just proud of their culture and consider it to be much better than a Muslims’ one. Therefore, Europeans consider terrorism to be the act of the “wild” part of the world against civilization. Thus, the tactics of struggling with terrorism in Europe is directed on providing Europeans with necessary protection and on the prevention of further attacks. Thus, it we talk about terrorism, we should recognize that the politics of the United States is more aggressive due to the number of reasons, while the politics of Europe has a somewhat defensive character. 4. The main task of mass media is to inform people about real events which happened in our world. Media are usually accused of providing false facts. If media provide false facts, people will stop believe them at all. Certainly, some discrepancy is allowed and can’t be avoided as only the eye-witnesses of the event can tell the truth, but the truth still should be revealed and the main task of journalists is to reveal it. Luckily, the most serious accidents or the terrorist acts are usually thoroughly studied and the truth about them is usually revealed. Certainly, we can’t know all the motives terrorists have when committing their terrible crime, but we know for sure that the act they commit is one of the most terrible offences and there should be no excuse for them. It is evident that we know all the truth about the accident that happened on September 11, 2001, as the motives are quite understandable. However, some accidents are not studied carefully or people are not provided the full information about them. The example is the terrorist act that happened in the Belorussia‘s underground station. Two men were the offenders but the guilt of the second was not proved, and it was not clear from the materials provided by mass media if he was guilty. However, both were executed according to the President’s order. 5. War is the most horrible thing in the world. It eliminates whole nations, destructs cities and even the whole countries. We all would sacrifice much to make our world peaceful forever. The war against terrorism lasts for many years with no results and many losses. Thus, serious measures should be taken in order to stop this violence. Many people would agree that the use of newly developed powerful weapon is immoral as not only terrorist groups but many innocent people would suffer. However, now a lot of innocent people, including children, suffer from terrible terrorist attacks. Thus, terrorism should be stopped by all means. All the existing modern weapons should be applied in order to fight with this terrible phenomenon. If something can help stop killing innocent people, it should be used, no matter how dangerous it can be. Works Cited Campbell, Kim. "When is 'terrorist' a subjective term?" Christian Science Monitor, 2001. Print. Hoffman, Bruce. Inside terrorism. 2 ed. Columbia University Press, 2006. Print. Hoffman, Bruce. "The Logic of Suicide Terrorism". The Atlantic, 2003. Print. Read More