Reflections on International Terrorism as Seen From the Middle East (From Outthinking the Terrorist - An International Challenge - Proceedings, P 49-55, 1985 - See NCJ-98704)

• NCJ Number: 98709
• Author(s): S Rosolio
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Available on microfiche as NCJ-98704.

Annotation

The former Commissioner General of Israel's State Police and Border Guard considers current trends and recent lessons learned from terrorist incidents and discusses desirable and feasible countermeasures.

Abstract

Terrorism has proliferated and grown more sophisticated in recent years. Specialization, infighting between terrorist groups, state-sponsored terrorism, and access to unconventional and particularly harmful types of weapons are all aspects of current terrorism. Experience shows that terrorists find the politically weakest places to form their bases, that terrorist organizations cannot function under constant and severe pressure, and that state-supported terrorism is the greatest threat to world politics. Desirable countermeasures should be proactive and must follow the four steps of awareness, consensus, legislation, and organization. Psychological indoctrination of the general public is necessary to generate public understanding and approval of the legal and operational measures needed to fight terrorism effectively. To accomplish the crucial goals of deterrence, prevention, and preemption, governments must consider using strategic deterrents like severing diplomatic relations, imposing economic sanctions, and freezing assets. The most important feasible countermeasures are a thorough intelligence system, a strategic response, psychological indoctrination, and the development of bilateral and multilateral agreements.