Terrorism: Causes, Effects and Prevention Strategies

Terrorism Causes, Effects and Pr typefaceion StrategiesIn the last bingle-fourth of the century, at that place is a dramatic change in roughly of the flagellumist doivities, as they argon well-planned, with a int pole to accomplish a precise identifiable and seemingly attainable political goal. In the past, to the highest form of the terrorist activities composite incidents alike high-jacking an aircraft or the taking of a security following which reliable demands were made. Their aim was usu all in ally to waiver their friends, or group leaders from prisons.Terrorism in the last many exs has confinen a lots(prenominal) violent and destructive turn, and quite a lot the demands be not made. Terrorism at present is an act which is sudden, unprovoked, dilute brutal attack on innocent civilians slaughtering several heap in a crowd market or a gathering. Most of there terrorist attacks puddle had a political objective, which have immediately become rather diffu sed since the 9/11 attack. It now seems that the idea is to create fear and fear, and generally to get publicity through the television news and print media harmonise to several orthodox cultures, the terrorists resorted to this crabby type of extremism as the only way for accomplishing political change. Also it appears to be interconnected to globalization and the change magnitude impact of the United raises and other Western countries. This has added to the resentments of the people of that adjourn of the argona. Thus it is the larger developments, changes in the external political structure, and expansion of globalization through start the world that explains this trend in terrorism.The sixty years of low-down of the Palestinians and their unsuccessful efforts to get an independent evoke is one of the major reasons for the unrest in the Muslim atomic add 18a. The modern siege (412 Palestinian children perished between the 27th of celestial latitude 2008 and the 18th of January 2009 as a result of the bombings and atrocities carried appear by the Israeli Occupying Forces The end year of 2009 inevitably This markeds the First Year Memorial of Operation reap Lead, when al roughly 1,400 Palestinians, mostly civilians were killed during the course of a brutal military operation carried pop out by Israeli governing. Thousands more were wounded or displaced. 412 Palestinian children perished between the 27th of December 2008 and the 18th of January 2009. These children were killed as a result of the bombings and atrocities carried out by the Israeli Occupying Forces) affected the Palestinian social theoretical account completely. As the suffering grows with all(prenominal) violent incursion into Palestinian communities hatred and tendency of revenge also increases among them. During the Gulf War, and more recently in Afghanistan, the terrorist groups often resort to psychic warfare because its the only tactic they have obtainable to them.Th ey dont have M-16s, and we have M-16s. They dont have the mighty military power that we have, and they only have access to things like kidnapping,says Haroun, a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego. (cited in Warner, 2005).1 In reality these terrorist attacks does not disparage the enemy physically very much, as few people could be killed in an attack. But the repercussions are tremendous from the psychological point of view. Ordinary people viewing the terrorist attack in person or watching it on television, gets anxious, terrified, and often develop a ace of foreboding fear, which in turn may lead to de goodization in the entire society.Psychological TerrorWhatever is their modus operandi, terrorists share very corresponding aims. Alexander and Klein (2006)1 concisely identified the aims of terrorism as followsTo create pervasive fear, misgiving and panicTo collapse a collective and item-by-item sense of helplessness, vulnerability an d hopelessnessTo demonstratereveal the incompetenceineffectiveness and/or inabilityincapability of the authorities to provide certification and protectionsafety over against such opponentsAnd provoke the establishment into errors or over- receptions which will disaffect the general public or precise influential bodies.The last point is essentially critical as observed by the widespread concerns as for example the shooting of an innocent man by the Metropolitan Police in London sometime ago (as a result of consequent to the wrong information that he was a suicide bomber) the incarceration of terrorist suspects in high security prisons of Guantanamo Bay and Belmarsh and the introduction of repressive legislation. Moreno (2003)2 has persuasively proven how easy it is in a democratic society to subordinate hard-earned civil liberties to the pick out to introduce counter-terrorist legislation. The terrorist attacks provide harsh reminders that in todays world, one does not know wh at news may come close on television or other news media. Particularly disturbing television images of horrific incidents can trigger the innate set or so response no matter how close or far away from home the event happened. Historically, every military clash has led to psychological warfare in some form in one way or another as the enemy aims to break the morale of their opponent. Due to progress in technology the popularity of the internet and increase of news coverage, the rules of engagement in this type of psychological fighting have changed.Whether it is a substantial attack or a single dreadful act, the effects of psychological warfare are not restricted to the physical damage it produces. Instead, the intent of these attacks is to in even-temperedinstil a sense of fear that is much greater than the actual scourge itself.According to Professor Richard Bulliet of Columbia UniversityThere are non-homogeneous slipway to have your impact. You can have your impact by the magnitude of what you do, by the symbolic character of target, or the horrific quality of what you do to a single person.Interestingly the way media covers the event in detail determines the effect on the people. For instance, according to Bulliet, the Iranian hostage predicament, in 1979, which though lasted for 444 days, was infact really one of the most harmless of (word harmless) criticalthings events that occurredhappened in the Middle East in the last 25 years. All the U.S. hostages were released ultimately unscathed., exactlyHowever this hostage event remains a psychological scarblemish for m any(prenominal)several Americans who watched powerlessly, each evenings newscast, they counted days the hostages were being held in custody.The terrorists often take advantage of images of a group of masked individuals coercing and intimidating holding total power over their captives to sendconvey the message that the act is a collective demonstrationdisplay of the groups power rath er than an individual criminal act.You dont have the notion that a certain person has taken a hostage. Its an image of group power, and the force becomes generalized rather than personalized. The randomness and the ubiquitousness of the threat give the impression of vastly greater capacities. (cited in Warner, 2005).3Remote Repercussions of Terrorist AttacksWhen a horrific event occurs, it is natural to witness disturbed, even if the act occurred thousands of miles away. The human reaction is to put oneself in the situation because as normal human beings, people have the capacity to empathize. And consequently these people may develop sympathetic psychological symptoms. Witnessing an act of psychological terror can also disrupt our belief system, says Charles Figley, PhD, director of the Florida State University Traumatology Institute. (cited in Warner, 2005).4We walk around, psychologically, in a bubble, and that bubble represents our belief system and values. Most often we assu me incorrectly that other people have the same values and social niceties as we do. When that is profaned or challenged, the first response is usually an effort to protect our beliefs and, in other wrangle, to deny that it actually happened.When A s soon as confronted with proof of terror, such as pictures of atrocities, Figley says there are a few different waysdifferent ways in which people typically reactThey perceive perpetrators to be inhumane. break down fearful as they perceive they are living in a callous and unsafe world because the graph bar of inhumanityhumanity has been lowered even upgrade. Believe that its only a fleeting incident which could be easily explained away or deconstructed by precise things that have taken place, such as if we hadnt through with(p) this, then that would not have happened. Its uncomfortable believing that the world is less safe, so we have to intend or construct a scenario that will allow us to feel more safe again and resist change, says Figley.There is an interesting and strange symbiotic relationship between terrorism and the media. Bruce Hoffman, the director of the eye for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence, in his book Inside Terrorism has written a egest summary of some of the major historical trends in international terrorism. He makes careful distinctions between the motivations that catch political (or ethno-nationalist) terrorism and religious terrorism, and he explains also shows why the rise of religious terrorism, coupled with the increase availability of weapons of galvanic pile destruction, may foretellpredict an eraepoch of even greater violence. In the past, Hoffman argues, the main goal of the terrorist was not to kill and destroy, but to attract media attention to his cause in the hope of initiating reform.For the religious terrorist, however, violence is first and beginning(a) a holy act or divine duty executed in direct response to some theological demand or imperative religiou s terrorists see themselves not as components of a system worth preserving but as outsiders, sampleing funda noetic changes in the existing order. (Hoffman, 2006).5In this context of use Hoffman does not choose sides, he refers to in this framework, pointing to the bombings of the World Trade Center ,and Oklahoma City and the Tokyo,to the gibibyte nerve gas attacks, in Tokyo in order to demonstrate that radicalsfunda noeticists of any religious agnomen are capable of radical acts of terrorism.Terrorism is an aggressive-hostile action which is mainly intended to harm and terrify civilians, in order to promote a embark onicular aim, or with an the idea, which may be social political or other. The terrorist attacks, are now gaining major importance than wars in the news headlines worldwideTerrorism and its Effects on cordial HealthWhether its a massive attack or a single dreadfulhorrific act, the effects of psychological warfare are not restrictedlimited to the physical damage i nflicted. Infact the primary objectivestead, the goal of these attacks is to inculcate a sense of fear whichthat is much greater than the actual threat itself. Therefore, the impact of psychological terror depends largely on how the acts are revealedpublicized and interpreted.Typical reactions to major trauma on the individuals and communities are well-documented but the literature on the individual reactions to terrorist incidents is scarce. Most of the reactions at the initial phase following trauma are normal reactions and only few individuals display florid psychopathology. (Alexander and Klein, 2006).6Normal individual reactions to a terrorist attack are aroused Reactions shock, numbness, denial , fear, anxiety , helplessness, hopelessness.Cognitive dys unravels as disorientation, confusion ,intrusive thoughts, images, memories ,hypervigilance (i.e. increased sense of risk),impaired concentration and memory.Changes in social interaction, like coitus interruptus ,irritability ,loss of trust and faith , avoidant behaviour (i.e. of any reminders of the event).Physical reactions as autonomic hyperarousal , ,loss of energy. insomniaAutonomic hyper-arousal, insomnia, loss of energy.Emotional shock, numbness, denial, fear, anxiety helplessness, hopelessness.Cognitive disorientation, confusion, intrusive thoughts, images, memories.Hyper-vigilance, impaired concentration and memory.Social withdrawal, irritability, loss of trust and faith, avoidant behaviour (i.e. of any reminders of the event).These normal reactions comprise most of the core symptoms of PTSD, i.e. intrusive experiences, hyper-arousal and avoidant behaviour, as defined in the ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders (ICD-10 WHO, 1992).7 For a formal diagnosis of PTSD, such symptoms must be experienced for at least(prenominal) a few weeks. (The fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV also necessitatesrequires that such symptoms mustto be present for one month. (American Psychiatric Association, 1994).8In addition the impact on individuals, terrorism has mass psychogenic impacts. Mass psychogenic illness has been defined asThe rapid spread of illness signs and symptoms modify members of a cohesive group, originating from a nervous system disturbance involving excitation, loss or alteration of function whereby physical complaints that are exhibited unconsciously have no corresponding organic aetiology. (Bartholomew Wessely, 2002). 9As regards conjunction reactions, they may present with distinct features. Tyhurst provides a three phase model of community response. (Tyhurst, 1951).10 In cast I, most individuals are liable to be stunned, numbed or even in denial. Denial was the commonly reported reaction among the office staff of Capital Hill, Washington DC following the anthrax scare in 2001. It took some time for the affectees to realize they might have been exposed to a toxic substance. North et al., 2005).11 Wi despread panic is not a typical reaction (though widely depicted in disaster films, etc.). Approximately 10 per cent of victims are likely to panic, and this reaction is most likely when victims believe they are trapped and feel helpless. Durodie Wessely, 2002).12In the 1987 Kings Cross underground fire most passengers did not panic on the contrary, they sought out the usual methods of entry and exit. (Donald Canter, 1992).13 Similar personal reactions were observedgiven after the London terrorist incidents of July 2005. Hence the civil contingency preparation clearly should not be based on ill-informed assumptions about human behaviour. Even in extreme situations human behaviour can be rational, altruistic, and even heroic.In Phase II which is the Recoil Phase, individuals seek to make sense of what has happened. They seek reunion with their common sources of support, e.g. families, friends and colleagues. Even makeshift groups may develop as individuals seek understanding and mu tual support. During this period, the community develops a sense of order and control, and the concerned relief authorities can do a lot much to facilitate this step towards recovery..Phase III, the Recovery Phase is characterized by alternating episodes of adjustment and relapse and there may be some obvious examples of resilience and positive outcomes. Further comprehensive research studies must be A lot of research tranquillize needs to be do in order to understand how communities cope with chronic exposure to threat and adversity, but Jones and his colleagues have reassessed the social effects of air raids in Great Britain during the Second World War. They express a high level of civilian resilience developed during that period. (Jones et al., 2004).14 Similarly, law enforcement authorities have commented on the apparently low level of violence-related psychopathology reported in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.Clinical info is still not enough to identify It is unclea r, as to what are the protective factors in these circumstances. Extensive denial, social cohesiveness, a united front against a common enemy or some other as in so far undetermined influences could be termed as protective factors.Mental Health StudiesMental health research studies are conducted worldwide to explore the effects of terrorism both on the individuals and the community. Whereas some emphasize the psycho-pathological effects of terror (Galea, Ahern, Resnick et al., 2002),15 others focus on the human suffering, which is not identical to psychiatric morbidity (Wessely 2003),16 and on community and pagan factors that enable people to endure the stressful event (Hobfoll, 2003).17 This conflict between two distinct approaches (Wessely, 2003) ishas hitherto to be keep goingd. Any horrific event can affect people directly or indirectly even if they are not the targets. Hence the target of the interventions is not the individual victim only, but all the people more indirect ly affected by the incidence. An impartial approach may be suitable. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued guidelines for action during emergencies which seem to support such a stand (WHO, 2003).18Experiencing or witnessing a violent attack does not necessarily mean that the individual will inevitably develop psychiatric morbidity (Curran, and Miller, 2001).19 After the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York City, it was observed thatIn the aftermath of terrorist attacks, many Americans regarded their tribulation as a normal reaction rather than a disorder needing psychiatric care. (Drus and Marcus, 2004).20Presently available data suggest that it takes more than the agent (e.g., threat to life) to lead to psychopathology. Indeed, the role of the environment is of significance, as a part of the epidemiological triangle that has been discarded by a greater focus on host-related factors (e.g., gender or age of the victim). ) A study on adults have recognized a group of fact ors, including religious beliefs, ideologic commitment and social capital, that have protected communities which were highly exposed to terrorist attacks (like the loss of dear ones, physical injuries and topographic point damage etc). Ideology and religion may be used as a healing power, but also as a weapon. This is especially true in the Middle East region. (Solomon, and Laufer (2005)21 Shalev et al. Shalev,22 Tuval-Mashiach Hadar, 2004 Kaplan et al. Kaplan,23 Matar, Kamin, et al., 2005 Billig, Kohn, and Levav, 2004).24All the research data today gives hope that, by advancing research on the amiable health effects of war-related activities will be conducive to the development of new techniques to counter the psycho-social aftermath of wars and other such traumatic events., Ppsychiatrists worldwide are joining the call by WHO member states to devise means to restore the psycho-pathological damage sustained by victimized populations. The World Psychiatric Association (WPA) has b een active in the recent Gaza Massacre,by giving an official debate. (See Mario Maj. statement in Chapter 1V -Wars in the Muslim World1).25Nonetheless On the other hand, psychiatrists could play other roles even at the risk of raising idealistic initiatives which cynics might like to dismiss. There are several possibilities open for psychiatrists who, by the nature of their profession can, besides promoting health, support peace rather than war. Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals from countries in conflict could engage in alliance in a number of activities (e.g., teaching, exchange of experiences in weapons platform development and services, communication), while they are actively, tenaciously and continuously supported by WPA.Most importantly, psychiatrists must endeavour to make their societies even more ardently aware that in armed confrontations no one is a winner but that everyone is a victim. The model of collaboration in the Balkans, where mental health is a bridge to reconciliation within the framework of the Stability Pact, is a concrete example of what could be achieved when a merge language is spoken, and when such an effort is reinforced by dedicated support from sources that are not part of the conflict.Terrorism is a paradoxa topicalcontemporary, high-profile subject with clear relevance to the real-world today relevance, yetNevertheless with limited unquestionable and desperate shortage of research data available es in the area. Therefield there is an urgent need to encourage the younger researchers to take a keen n interest in continuing maintaining research activities .y in the area.Psycho-Social Effects of Terrorism on the Muslim WorldWhile cypher is easier than to denounce the evildoer, nothing is more difficult than to understand him. (Mikhailovich Dostovsky)The Muslim World has endured a succession of terrorist attacks in the last decade and faced the war against terrorism with endurance and resilience. The countries most affected were Iraq, Gaza, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and particularly the FATA region in Pakistan which has been tagged as the centre of terrorist training. Pakistan also became the first line of defense in this War on Terror. The most distressing aspect of this war is the amount of destruction, damage and killing of innocent civilians of these regions. Ironically the damage done following the declaration of this war is to a large extent much greater than the loss which resulted due(p) to the actual terrorist incident of 9/11 in New York.The Muslims worldwide have confronted the worst degree of terrorism from the powers who claim to bring peace and justice in the world. It is logical and justifiable to control and battle against those who are involved in such degrading and inhumane acts of terrorism, however, some contemplation is necessary to alter unreasonable and illogical methods or strategies chosen to fight this terrorism. The international media has been a major partner in this war against terrorism and played a key role in portraying religious extremism in Islam as the major cause of present-day terrorism. But this is untrue since Islam is primarily a religion of peace, hunch forward and harmony. Unfortunately, clerics who have limited knowledge of the teachings and values of the Islam have misguided some people for their vested interests. The misinterpretation of the teachings of Islam by irresponsible clerics has led to fanaticism.Islam is the most practical religion of the world. As narrated by Dr Muzammil H. Siddiqi26The concept of human rights in Islam is based on two important principles dignity of human beings and justice. Islam emphasizes that all human beings are honoured by Allah subhanahu wa taala. Allah wants all human beings to live in peace and harmony and for this reason He wants us to establish justice in this world. Without justice there is no dignity and without dignity and justice there cannot be any peace.There are several pas sages in the Holy Quran verifying the higher up narrationIf any do fail to judge by (the light of) what God (Allah) hath revealed, they are (no bring out than) unbelievers. (Holy Quran 544).o ye who believe Stand out firmly for God (Allah), as witnesses to bazaar dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just that is next to piety and fear God (Allah). For God (Allah) is well-acquainted with all that ye do. (Holy Quran 58).Human blood is sacred in any case and cannot be spilled without justification. Violating this rule is equivalent to killing all of humanityif anyone potful a person unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land it would be as if he slew the whole people. (Quran 532).Hence the Holy Quran advocates that death of a single human being is a death of humanity. At present it is vital to understand that words terrorism and war against terrorism apparently seems to be propaganda against Islam and Muslims. Such perceptions against Islam and the Muslims have taken a damage on the social, psychological and emotional well-being of Muslims in different parts of the world. (Zafar, 2007).27Psycho-Social Impacts of Gaza Conflict On 31 January 2008, the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP) organized a Conference on Effects of military blockade on Life and Mental Health of Palestinians in Gaza Strip. Taysir Diab, Clinical Psychiatrist and Supervisor at GCMHP, talked about the mental impacts of the siege based on GCMHPs experience. He stated that there It is not one, but were a group of bio-psycho social factors that which caused mental illness. Diab of these factors under the siege on Gaza and that the and its psychological, physical and social impacts of these factors were clinically identifiable. The siege, he said, had a direct effect on the appearance of new psychiatricmental cases and the relapse of old ones.There are personal differences on the physical and psych ological levels there are protective factors such as religion, patriotism, norms and values, as well as social support. All these factors along with others contributed in the protection of individuals.and the development of new mental illnesses in the Palestinian people.According to Diab, a vast majority of the Palestinian populations were suffering from symptoms of psychiatricmental disorders. He pointed out that the clients of GCMHPs Community Centers suffered from various psychological problems, including panic, insecurity skin perceptivenesss of insecurity, easily provoked aggressiveness, anger, easily provoked, psychosomatic disorders, depression, frustration, low morale, fear, little concentration, lack of belonging or affiliation, lack of confidence in self and others, emotional numbness,numbness, and PTSD symptoms., various physical complaint, Oobsessiveon-Ccompulsive Disorders were common, and there was a definite rise in illness relapses.rise in illness relapses.Diab fur ther mentioned that the siege affected the vulnerable groups, in particular children who suffer increasingly from fear, panic, and at times apathylack the feeling of risks, tendency of sadness and insecurity feelings of insecurity., as well as Bbed-wetting and stutteringstuttering, was also a common presentation. He also pointed that the siege affected the mental health professionals in term of increasing their mental stresspressures and state of frustration, avoidance, nervousness, and professional burn-out.Furthermore, Ahmad Abu Tawahina, Senior Clinical Psychologist and Director General of GCMHP, statedmentioned that the major aimplan behind the siege imposed by Israel wasis to implantinstil panic and fear among the Palestinians citizens. He saidWe, as Palestinians, must never live a preclude and despairing life and have to get rid of the banish impacts of siege since life goes on, and the professionals must exert all efforts in order to help people cope with the difficult situ ations.Twahina also stated that it was vital that Palestinians should not drown in terror and fear since most of the above mentioned symptoms are natural reactions to a madcrazy reality. He also addressed the concept of victimof victim psychology and commented on the importance of offering the mental services for people who suffer from frequent depressions, and increasing concerns. According to him the mental suffering affects everybody but at different levels, and that theere is depression, anxiety, tension, and despair is prevalent at the entirewhole community levels. In his work paper, .Samir Zaqout, a psychologist at GCMHP, discussedtalked about the social changes resulting from the siege. He statedadded thatthe siege started in 1948 when Israeli Occupation practiced siege policy in an attempt to deny the Palestinians their identityThe siege is doubled as it is imposed by Israel and the international community since they didnt allow the Palestinians to practice their rights in a democratic way.Further, Zaqout pointed that the siege affected the Palestinian social fabric and domestic relations as hatred and tendency of revenge increased among the Palestinians. It also affected the moral values and accepting the other as well as increasing inter and intra familial disputes and conflicts.Summing up the proceedings of the Conference Eyad el Sarraj pointed to the significance of highlighting such statistics and showing the direct impacts of the siege on the citizens. He stressed on the importance of the accuracy and avoiding exaggeration in stating any statistics. Sarraj focused on the victim psychology. He saidSince we, as Palestinians, shouldnt adopt the role of victim, and exaggerate in blaming others and defaming ourselves. Our priority should be national reconciliation and unity and supporting the Palestinian resiliency so as to achieve our countenance rights, endorsed by international conventions.Concluding the conference the mental health experts reiter ated that it was crucial that the siege must end and professionals must undertake their roles in the field of education and mental health. This would be the first step in to bring some semblance of normality to the lives of the Gaza Community. This step was vital, in order to enable them to cope with negative consequences of the siege and minimize the resultant burdens. Moreover, it was agreed to work on the promotion of mental resilience programs for destination the siege and developing coping strategies to counter the negative mental health consequences.It was agreed that the Palestinian people are steadfast and live with dignity, and should not bend or despair and take matters positively and effectively in order to resist all schemes aiming at weakening Palestinian social fabric, and to achieve the Palestinian rights in freedom, independence and establishing the Palestinian state. Further, the attendants emphasized the importance of working, as specialists in various fields, on influencing the last makers in the Palestinian society and acquaint them with the destructive impacts of the siege at all levels, especially the mental health of the future Palestinian generations.The physical and mental health needs of sufferers of Gaza are extremely gainsay to address, particularly the psychological and emotional crises. During the last Israeli military strike in the period from December 2008 to January 2009, approximately 1380 Palestinians were killed, of whom 431 were children and 112 women. (United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) (2009). At least 5380 people were injured, including 1872 children and 800 women. In these improvised settings within health facilities such as maternity wards and operating theatres were transformed into trauma units. The consequences must be drastic in terms of maternal and child morbidity and mortality because 3500 deliveries were expected to have taken place during the twenty-three days of military operations. Findings from a re cent UNFPA assessment indicate that, during that period there was an increased number of miscarriages in pregnant women (Shifa, Al Aqsa, Naser, Rafah), and an increased neonatal mortality in Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. (UNFPA, (2009).According to World Health Organization (WHO), only the rough estimates show that during the last Gaza crisis 25000 to 50000 people underwent dread(a) mental stress and need some form of psychological intervention to address long-term effects. Women, separated children, time-honored people, and people with prior physical or mental disabilities are at high risk of severe emotional distress than others. The restoration of normal socioeconomic conditions, secure living