Why is it important to understand terrorist behavior and motivations?
Understanding motivation is an essential element of risk management. A child throws a rock at an armored vehicle. What meaning is there in this act? If it becomes a matter of martyrdom – – when one loses one’s life in sacrifice to a cause – – it cannot be considered suicide. This places the act beyond the normal constraints operating in an ordered society. Linking religion and terrorism is a mistake – you have to make a distinction between judging the religion as bad, versus people using religion as a reason for terrorism. When Bin Laden speaks he speaks as a devout Muslim. He has always had the reputation of being a very devout person. This devotion does not condone acts of terror. The main goal of the terrorists is fear – at least in the short run. We used to be able to name the name, location and agenda of most terrorist groups. That is no longer always true. Partly the reason for not claiming responsibility for these acts is that this lack of identity serves the terrorist’s cause.
