My assumptions are the following: the true causes of terrorism by ‘the Arabs’ against ‘the West’ lie in a colonial history of the Middle Eastern region of the 20th century. Religion, i.e. Islam, was and continues to be used to reach political objectives. Finally, while economic gains are not primary objectives of terrorists money play a crucial role in this business; while for some party terrorism is a tool to reach political aims for others it is a big business.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction.
2. Political reasons behind terrorism.
3. Religion and terrorism.
4. “Terrorism is a big business.”
5. Conclusion.
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the complex factors driving terrorism committed by individuals of Arab origin against Western states, specifically questioning whether the motivations are purely political and religious or if economic factors play a central role. The author investigates the historical and systemic foundations of this conflict to provide a comprehensive analysis of the contemporary terrorist phenomenon.
- Historical influence of colonial mandates and regional border drawing
- The intersection of Islamic religious doctrine with political objectives
- Financial structures and the economic reality of terrorist operations
- The evolution of terrorism into a self-sustaining market system
- Case studies on the role of specific leaders and regional conflicts
Excerpt from the book
“Terrorism is a big business.”
Statement that terrorism is a big business must certainly be supported by strong evidence and empirical data. However, there is no doubt that in order to commit terrorist acts perpetrators need to have a stable financial infrastructure and human resources responsible for different stages of a terrorist act. Finances can come from various legal as well as illegal sources including drug and arms trafficking, money laundering, organized crime, sponsorship provided by certain states, sale of booklets, books, and leaflets, ‘charitable organizations’ and many others.
Although it is difficult to calculate an approximate global budget of terrorists it is known how much money certain organizations receive from various sources. For example, in March of 1982, revolutionary movements from all over the world came to Teheran and it was agreed that $100 million would be immediately allocated as a fighting fund, to support worldwide terrorism …and $50 million was projected to be spent each year for an indefinite period of time to bankroll specific acts of terrorism. In 25 years these numbers have probably increased drastically together with the increased tension between Middle East and the West. It is also known that in 2002 Palestine Islamic Jihad received $200 thousand monthly to buy ammunition and to recruit suicide bombers. Various numbers can be extracted from various sources but these numbers alone do not say anything if they are not shown in comparison with some other data. For example, the UN commission on Control of Implementation of Sanctions imposed on “al-Qaida” and Taliban Movement reported that majority of terrorist acts committed by “al-Qaida” cost around $50 thousand, and one victim cost around $6 meaning that even the most horrible terrorist acts are rather cheap. In other words, the one-month budget of Palestine Islamic Jihad is enough to commit four big terrorist attacks per month killing lots of people and causing excessive economic and political damages.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction.: The chapter establishes the necessity of defining terrorism and outlines the research focus on the correlation between politics, money, and terrorist acts by Arabs against the West.
Political reasons behind terrorism.: This section traces the roots of the conflict back to 20th-century colonial mandates and the subsequent instability caused by the arbitrary creation of borders and nations.
Religion and terrorism.: The author analyzes how religious rhetoric, particularly through figures like Ayatollah Khomeini, was utilized to transform anti-colonial sentiment into a weaponized struggle against the West.
“Terrorism is a big business.”: This chapter provides evidence for the financial infrastructure supporting terrorism, demonstrating how it operates as a market with various sources of revenue and incentives.
Conclusion.: The final chapter summarizes that while political and religious grievances remain primary, terrorism has evolved into a profitable economic phenomenon that is increasingly difficult to disrupt.
Keywords
Terrorism, Middle East, West, Politics, Religion, Islam, Colonialism, Economics, Jihad, al-Qaida, Funding, Money laundering, Conflict, Security, Radicalization
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this academic paper?
The paper explores the driving forces behind terrorist acts committed by individuals of Arab origin against Western countries, analyzing the interplay of political, religious, and economic motivations.
What are the central themes discussed in the text?
Key themes include the historical impact of post-WWI colonial mandates, the instrumentalization of Islam for political aims, and the financial structures that sustain global terrorist organizations.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The main goal is to challenge the perception that terrorism is exclusively political or religious by highlighting the significant, often overlooked role of economic incentives and financial gain.
Which methodology does the author employ?
The author uses a qualitative, analytical approach, synthesizing existing literature, historical data, and reported financial information from international organizations to support the argument.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body examines historical triggers of confrontation, the role of religious radicalism in mobilization, and provides empirical evidence regarding the costs and funding of terrorist operations.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
The work is best characterized by terms such as transnational terrorism, political violence, Islamic fundamentalism, economic drivers of conflict, and the institutionalization of terror.
How does the author connect the creation of Israel to modern terrorism?
The author argues that the creation of Israel in 1948 was perceived by many in the Arab world as an extension of Western hegemony, acting as a major catalyst for escalating regional conflicts and the birth of specific terrorist groups.
What role does the "business" aspect play in terrorism according to the author?
The author posits that terrorism has become a self-sustaining market with its own labor force, consumers, and suppliers, where financial rewards incentivize participation, making the movement harder to dismantle solely through political means.
- Quote paper
- Irina Wolf (Author), 2006, Causes of terrorism by 'the Arabs' against 'the West', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/130069
