The Criminology of Terrorism - Essay Example

Soft TargetsIntroduction Terrorist activities have intensified since the last century and thus posing a threat to human wellbeing and economic growth in most countries. It seems most of these missions are interlinked to frustrate the US Government, which has taken most of its military forces in the Middle East to combat terrorist organization. The bombing of the American Pentagon by Osama bin Laden gave a new perception on how the public treated Muslims, especially from the Middle East. However, with increased security on such targets, terrorist have diversified their activities by using soft targets.

A soft target, according to terrorist conscious thinking, is any unarmed person or places, whose activities are predictable and thus easy to control and influence (Edwards, 2015). On the contrary, a hard target is a fully armed person or a heavily guarded place, and thus unpredictable because it is prepared to face any challenge brought along by intruders. Terrorist seem to have abandoned such hard targets, which include military bases, and governmental premises, because they seem not to convey their intentions and makes it easy for their enemies to study and master their weapon technology and predict their moves.

With soft targets, anyone and everyone is a victim. After a series of bombings and killings in mega structures, military bases, governmental buildings, and other high rated places, people took refuge in hotels, shopping malls, and other social events. Little did they know that it could soon be an easy target? A good example is the Al-Shaabab, which attacked the Westgate Shopping Mall in Kenya last year and a local University this year, killing more than 200 people (Cruickshank, 2013). The latest issue of an Al Qaeda magazine in the Arabian Peninsula advocates the use of soft targets, because they are easy to attack, cause lot damage, and leave without being noticed (Goldstein, 2007).

In their suggestion, they urged Jihadists to randomly shoot people in restaurants in Washington DC.Conclusion Intensity o security by most governments on terrorist hard targets has forced them to change their strategies so that they can accomplish their mission amidst such difficulties. This has seen hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, social events; churches and mosques become easy targets because their acts happen swiftly. In return, they get the attention, while at the same time causing massive havoc in society.

ReferencesCruickshank Paul. (2013, Sep 27). Evidence Suggests that Al-Shabaab is Shifting Focus to ‘Soft’ target. Retrieved Jun 8, 2015 from: edition.cnn.com/2013/09/26/world/London-bombing- plot-qaeda/Edwards Stevens. (2015, Feb 2). Terrorists ‘Soft-target’ strategy puts anyone—and everyone—in danger. Retrieved Jun 8, 2015 from: www.foxnews.com/world/2015/02/02/terrorists-soft- targt-strategy-putseveryone-and-anyone-in-danger.Goldstein, D. (2007). The Criminology of Terrorism. Retrieved Jun 2, 2015, from Boston University, Vista Online Web site: http://vista.bu.edu/webct/.