Challenge Terrorism Boldly with Anticipation
On December 25, 2009 a Nigerian individual made attempts to blow up a plane that was about to land in Detroit. That the incident happened on the eve of Christmas indicates the religious fanaticism of the individual of Muslim faith and some hidden agenda needs to be read in this. It is reasonable to assume that the individual had the support of a terrorist organization.
Terrorism has created the ever-increasing problems and fear in the minds of the politicians, the law-enforcing authorities and the common citizens. Threat, intimidation, kidnapping of reporters have become the way of functioning for the terrorists. Terrorist organizations that disobey the rule of law destabilize the governments established by democratic norms. Terrorist networks have assumed global dimensions.
Can terrorism be eradicated from the global map?
Its eradication is a must; there is no other alternative. A well-planned and well-organized initiative is necessary. For this purpose, three major aspects of terrorism may be identified:
1. Go to the root cause of the problem. Firstly, let’s take in to consideration the economics of the issue. Their main source of finance is drug-smuggling with which they derive huge profits. The annual drug-dealings of the terrorists are mind-boggling, and it is estimated that it is much more than the combined assets of Boeing, Texaco and Pepsi. They are able to raise fighting forces and train them in handling the modern weapons. The law enforcement agencies are unable to do total justice to their dual responsibilities of blocking the drug supply and curbing the demand.
2. Religious brainwashing is gaining new heights. Men, women and even children are drawn into this activity. They are trained generally as well as to commit specific acts of terrorism. Ideological and military training is a dangerous combination. The incident mentioned in paragraph one of this article is one such specific terrorist act. That act was well-trained and well-timed and it was committed to attract global attention and create tension. The chances of the entire plane being blown up were real. The suicide bombers, who are mentally ready for the ultimate commitment-their life itself-must be highly motivated individuals. Such training camps need to be identified and destroyed.
3. The politics of silence and appeasement to meet the drug menace must end, tangible, time-bound steps initiated and implemented forthwith by all the nations. To play politics with the issue of terrorism to outsmart each other is the worst political strategy. Terrorists have no permanent friends or enemies-their only aim is to achieve their dubious goals by all means. Organizations like UNO need to be provided adequate powers of intervention in any country that clandestinely supports the cause of terrorist activities. Terrorist acts, whether individual or group, need to be challenged with an iron hand. A terrorist deserves no mercy.
The problem of unemployment amongst the combustible younger generation helps the terrorist ideology to thrive. So, the need of the hour is to meet all such problems by placing honest individuals at places of responsibility. What we lack today is not great plans, but great individuals with integrity to implement the plans to challenge terrorism. Since United States is the special target of the terrorists it has tremendous responsibility in this area.
