“One man’s terrorist, another man’s freedom fighter. How then, must we know? ” -Gerald Seymour (Harry’s Game, 1975) Terrorism is just another word in the English dictionary, but it is a hazard for mankind.
Terrorism is a world-wide phenomenon affecting rich and poor, developed and developing, powerful and powerless nations alike. Be it small countries like Israel or the big ones like the USA, be it the 9/11 or the 26/11, terrorism has the power to bring any country down to its knees.Although it has existed for centuries, in recent years, terrorist attacks have become more extensive and the devastations far greater. Terrorists pose the biggest threat to the world that we live in. They believe in guns and weapons over dialogue. They know no friends and recognize no rules.
In the future, scientists predict that terrorists could carry out their actions with weapons of mass destruction such as chemical, radiological and biological weapons.In a world, where most countries have developed nuclear weapons and with the growth of cyber terrorism, who will be able to escape the consequences of these attacks? Who is safe from terrorism? However, the real challenge lies in how to combat a threat such as this, for which countries have failed even to arrive at one common definition. Terrorism, simply put, is the spread of terror. This spread of terror is not unthinking violence; it is well-planned and usually has a very specific aim, the pursuit of which usually ends in ruthless, horrifying and brutal violence.Terrorism is not something that a country can tackle as an individual entity; it requires the world to come together as one. The only way to put an end to this grave issue is by joining hands, while ensuring mutual consent and respect of all nations.
How a person or a country defines terrorism will influence their solutions to prevent the spread of terrorism. For those, who believe terrorism to be a criminal matter will depend on criminal law, defense agencies and prosecution to prevent it.Those who see terrorism as a national security issue, will look towards military and diplomatic solutions while those who view terrorism as a result of issues of religion, race, caste, ethnicity and even poverty believe in addressing these issues to reduce or eliminate terrorism. The operations of international organizations such as the United Nations have played a vital role in maintenance of peace and security in the world, today.
However, the most effective and important means to ensure an end to terrorism is to stop teaching and preaching hate.To end all beliefs in the superiority of one’s own culture, community or even nation. To keep religion and ethnicity out of the public and especially political domain. To protect minorities and provide them equal rights and opportunities.
Stop teaching hate; teach instead the right to choose and the need to respect. Or as Noam Chomsky said “Everyone’s worried about stopping terrorism. Well, there’s really an easy way: Stop participating in it. ”
