quotations about terrorism
As we grieve for the victims of recent terrorist attacks, we must shift to new ways of thinking to help us tackle the most brutal terrorist violence of modern times. We are in this for the long haul, so our new approach must be above party politics. If it is to succeed, it requires the type of long-term strategic thinking and leadership that many politicians and community leaders have dodged for years. Most difficult for many, this must include rigorous analysis and honesty about past mistakes -- including the occasional major failure.
NIGEL HALL
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"Tackling terrorism is a difficult job -- and that's why it should be taken away from Whitehall", The Independent, June 7, 2017
It's not right to respond to terrorism by terrorizing other people. And furthermore, it's not going to help. Then you might say, "Yes, it's terrorizing people, but it's worth doing because it will end terrorism." But how much common sense does it take to know that you cannot end terrorism by indiscriminately dropping bombs?
HOWARD ZINN
Terrorism and War
Terrorism has replaced Communism as the rationale for the militarization of the country [America], for military adventures abroad, and for the suppression of civil liberties at home. It serves the same purpose, serving to create hysteria.
HOWARD ZINN
Terrorism and War
The expectation that terrorism may disappear under a new world order is anchored in two fallacious premises. The first is the supposition that, by and large, terrorism is perpetrated by states, directly or indirectly. A new world order, which is powerful enough to dictate non-violent rules of international conduct by threatening rogue states with a credible, painful punishment if they misbehave, would thus result in the disappearance of this form of misbehavior. This premise is erroneous because, by far, most terrorism is domestic in all respects, i.e., it is carried out by local groups against local targets, and is not aided, directed or controlled by foreign states. Hence, a change in the rules of international conduct would not affect it in any way.
JOHN HORGAN & MAX TAYLOR
The Future of Terrorism
This book recommends a watchful attitude to the view that terrorism constitutes a permanent threat and as such is a pressing problem of societies today. Such caution is appropriate, first of all, because of the conceptual problem anyone is facing when speaking, debating and reasoning about terrorism. Without doubt, 'terrorism' is one of the most ambiguous and blurry terms in the public debate, and it is often far from clear what the term actually refers to. Consequently, when terrorism is being presented as a threat and a pressing problem, we should inquire into what exactly this threat is about. Directly linked to this question is the problem of the more or less systematic exploitation of the terrorist threat by politicians.
ANNE SCHWENKENBECHER
Terrorism: A Philosophical Enquiry
Our enemies are fully aware that they can use oil as a weapon against America. And if we don't take this threat as seriously as the bombs they build or the guns they buy, we will be fighting the War on Terror with one hand tied behind our back.
BARACK OBAMA
speech, February 28, 2006
In an interconnected world, the defeat of international terrorism -- and most importantly, the prevention of these terrorist organizations from obtaining weapons of mass destruction -- will require the cooperation of many nations. We must always reserve the right to strike unilaterally at terrorists wherever they may exist. But we should know that our success in doing so is enhanced by engaging our allies so that we receive the crucial diplomatic, military, intelligence, and financial support that can lighten our load and add legitimacy to our actions. This means talking to our friends and, at times, even our enemies.
BARACK OBAMA
speech, November 20, 2006