In Robert Pape’s Dying to Win: The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism he investigates the three hundred and fifteen suicide terrorist attacks that have occurred from its beginning in 1980 up until 2003. By examining these attacks he explains the three logics behind suicide terrorism, the strategic, the social, and the individual logic. Pape uses Dying to Win as a tool to educate the public on suicide terrorism. He hopes people will begin to understand that it is not irrational, but requires reason and strategy. He brings to light that suicide terrorism is not directly correlated with Islamic fundamentalism, but rather political objectives, trying to put to rest many preconceived notions. By understanding the logic behind suicide terrorism people can work together to prevent it from happening in the future. After reading this book it is clear that suicide terrorism is not random, but does demand some thought in order for it to work.
Robert Pape separates his novel into three sections for each of the different logics. Within those three sections are different chapters that dive deep into the main aspects of each logic. In part one, the strategic logic of suicide terrorism, Pape describes that suicide terrorism is a strategy for weak actors that mainly targeting democracies. In part two, the social logic of suicide terrorism, Pape brings to light that suicide terrorism is more related to nationalist ideals rather than religious therefore explaining al-Qaeda’s theories in the process and demystifying them, as well as providing similar examples from other suicide terrorist organizations around the world. Part three delves into the individual logic of suicide terrorism where Pape analyzes Émile Durkheim’s theories of suicid...
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...ated with Islamic Fundamentalism, but many different religions, ages, ethnicities, and gender. He also drives home the point that in order to stop the spread of terrorism people must understand its roots rather than just assuming. Terrorism is a subject that is important for everyone to comprehend because it has spread across the world like wild fire due to globalizations impact on modern society. It has now become an international problem rather than just domestic, therefore it is relevant to all people. Suicide terrorism is a pandemic in this sense because it has gone global. Scientists who study pandemics undergo an incredibly thoughtful process in order to prevent the spread of them. By looking at these processes to cure pandemics, people can learn how to effectively deal with suicide terrorism. Understanding is the key to creating a peaceful society.
Jeff Shaara’s novel, The Glorious Cause, takes the reader through the American Revolution, starting with the signing of “The Declaration of Independence” and going to Charles Cornwallis’ surrender at Yorktown. It also goes beyond telling a record of a historical event by putting the reader into the minds and situations of many historical figures at the time including: George Washington, Charles Cornwallis, William Howe, Nathan Hale, Nathaniel Green, Marquis de Lafayette, Benjamin Franklin, and several others. By doing this, Shaara can show perspectives from both sides of the war, and this allows the reader to fully understand the motives and decision behind the battles. This switch between characters and perspective makes The Glorious Cause
Throughout life people encounter a numerous amount of obstacles, some of these obstacles can be tougher than others. These obstacles don’t define who you are, how the situation is handled does. In the book The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen, Jessica encounters a tremendous obstacle that life could throw at her. Jessica has had to learn to adjust her life from the way that she used to live. Her life is changing and she has to decide if this accident defines who she is going to be while being surrounded by the love and comfort of her family.
When people are placed under stressful, difficult, burdensome situations, they often yearn for a sense of purpose in life. In order to gain this sense of security in themselves and to relieve any stress they may obtain, the depths of their willingness to venture depends on the asperity and longevity of their situation. In Sherman Alexie 's "What You Pawn I Will Redeem," a homeless Spokane Indian, Jackson Jackson, travels to an abundance of places in attempt to collect money to purchase his deceased grandmother 's regalia, which he claims has been stolen from her a number of years ago. Readers of this short story may find themselves questioning Jackson 's purpose to embark on this journey to earn money in an effort to earn back the regalia
Richard Connells “The Most Dangerous Game” is a short story which illustrates that calm analytical thinking can increase your odds of survival and controlling panic.
In Brym’s article he discusses what research has shown about the motivations of suicide bombers. Brym and my fellow classmate explained to me how suicide bombers may be motivated by politics, religion, or retaliatory aims (Brym, Kyra Howard). Both Brym and Howard helped me view the issue of suicide bombers in multiple
Likewise, Goodwin illustrates how the use of categorical terrorism can be seem being used by Al-Qaida during the attacks of 9/11. Nonetheless, it is evident that Al-Qaida is unusual in terms of using terrorism to influence the rise of unity rather than trying to overthrow a standing state. For the purpose of instigating a pan-Islamic revolutionary movement, Al-Qaida tries to unite all Islamic people under one state to develop umma, or Muslim community. The logic of Al-Qaida remained that if their “revolutionaries” could illicit a reaction from the powerful US state, resulting in oppression of the middle-eastern region, that Al-Qaida could, as a result, unite all Muslims to counter this suggested oppression. Although the end goal of Al-Qaida clear failed, it does suggest the organization’s attempt at implementing categorical terrorism.
The seemingly-proud, handsome boy sits upright in his wooden desk chair. There is no noise only the sound of his rapidly beating heart pounding against his chest. The teenager clutches the metal barrel tightly and points the barrel of the gun at his head. He feels the chilling touch from the mouth of the gun on his warm flesh. Were there cruel judgements made about him from his so-called friends? Did he feel a great loneliness? Did his mind shout out that, Death will be my savior”? It is said that a person alone is in poor company. In the poem “Richard Cory” written by Edwin Arlington Richardson and in the song, “Pumped Up Kicks” by Mark Foster, both mention a gun being used by an isolated individual to deal with dark, hurtful thoughts and putting an end to them all by pulling the trigger. In both the “Richard Cory” poem and in the “Pumped Up Kicks” song there is a shared tone about isolated individuals feel lonesome and odd when one does not fit in with their community. Also, in the poem and in the song a revealing ironic message is revealed about a
Pouring concrete does not seem to be an important job to most people, and writing an entire book about pouring concrete also seems banal. But if you look at the underlying social commentary of a nation going from the old Imperial Russia, to the new Soviet Union, it speaks to the power of people coming together to achieve a single goal. The Book Time, Forward! by Valentine Kataev shows how people from all over Russia came together to become the people of the Soviet Union. Stalin used his first five year plan to unify the people to work toward a single goal of updating Russia, and making her a world power. Kataevs book Time, Forward! shows unity through a concrete pouring competition, and the people of the Soviet Union swiftly move forward
Michael Walzer is an esteemed retired professor from the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. Walzer has written many books, essays, and articles. His essay, Excusing Terror, is one that best relates to the current events happening around the world. In this essay, Walzer talks about different reasons that people would want to resort to terrorism. In this essay I will argue Walzers view on Terrorism is correct in that terrorism is wrong because it is akin to murder, it is random in who it targets, and no one has immunity. I will also offer an objection to Walzer’s theory and explain why it is not a valid one.
The Dream of the Rood is a poem that illustrates the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the perspective of the cross. The illustration comes together in a dream. The rood or the cross communicates with the Dreamer, to give him hope in the future return of Christ and eternal glory. Additionally, the rood encourages the Dreamer to share his dream with others and point them to the cross. This poem is meaningful to me because it prompted me to reflect on the cross and what it represents. It is a symbol of God’s love and what He did on the cross, so we could be saved from our sins.
In this era we live in, we are brought up to think divorce is bound to happen. According to The American Psychological Association, “about 40 to 50 percent of married couples in the United States divorce” and “the divorce rate for subsequent marriages is even higher.” Many adults decide that it is less messy to just live with one another rather than actually get married. This is beginning to drive the rates of marriage down. Many have speculated that relationships will continue to evolve, especially if the human lifespan continues expand. Fiction writers such as Drew Magary and real world scientists such as Aubrey de Grey have explored this very topic of relationships.
Pape believes that suicide terrorism is focused around democracies and occupation. After conducting his research, Pape discovered that from 1980 to 2001, records of suicide terrorism have had three main reoccurring, necessary properties: timing, nationalist goals, and target selection. Pape (2003) explains that, when it comes to timing, “nearly all suicide attacks occur in organized, coherent campaigns, not as isolated or randomly timed incidents” (347). Thus, Pape infers there is strategic reasoning behind this way of terrorizing the masses. He further states campaigns of suicide terrorism focus on gaining oversight of territory terrorists deem as their national homeland.
Many terrorists believe that their religion is the only true religion, and they use it to justify violence (“Islamic Terrorism”). Most Muslim terrorists follow Jihad. Jihad is an Islamic perception that the way to integrate their religion is by massive force (“Of True Muslims and Terrorists”). Jihad is considered the “sixth pillar” of faith in Islam because it is the constant fight towards good. It is the idea of focusing on God and turning away from those that oppose God (David E. Long, 91). The terrorists believe that their religion is what everyone should follow, so they would naturally require personnel in power in Muslim states to either convert to their religion or resign from their terms. They will first threaten a leader that if they do not change, the terrorists will use violence. Sometimes, violent acts come about without any warning or previous threats (“Of True Muslims and Terrorists”). Islam is a proselytizing religion, which means it uses violence to convert people to its faith. This is because, in the ...
The belief that Islam encourages terrorist activities first began after the catastrophic events on September 11, 2001. On this day, Islamic extremists hijacked four planes that were flying above America, which caused approximately 3,000 deaths (Kean). Our nation as well as the attitude towards Muslim individuals have changed since this unforgettable day in history. The initial understanding and perception of Muslims often root from stereotypes that concern Middle Easterners as a whole. Unfortunately, the word “terrorist” is a label given to those of an Muslim or Arab descent and typically, wear long beards. Although there have been many other forms of terrorist attacks by several ethnic groups, the emphasis
Political violence is the leading cause of wars today. Personal agendas have led to many of the political objectives that cause violence today this has caused many problems throughout the world and will continue to do so until a solution to this issue is found. Political objectives have been advanced involuntarily dependent upon the kind of government a nation exercises. For instance, in a democratic nation political groups must worry about convincing the majority in order to advance ethically. Those who try to influence the majority through acts of violence are considered today as “terror” organizations. Though perhaps if it were not because of the recent 9/11 terror attacks that maybe such warrants would not be seen as terror attacks, but instead the result of partisan advancement. Acts of terrorism have been around throughout the evolution of mankind. Terror attacks have even been traced back as far as the religious roots of an ancient middle east (Ross, Will Terrorism End?, 2006). However as man evolved, so did terrorism. Today’s extremism involves some of the main characteristics of ancient terrorism, but much more developed. Political advancement is no longer the root cause of terrorism acts. Instead influxes of “holy” wars have been appended the prior definition of terrorism. Mistakably modern terrorism has been confused for Political violence with political objectives, but research will establish that the nature of terrorism is fundamentally different from other forms of political violence.