COUNTER TERRORISM:Misconceptions, Psychologists & Propaganda war

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Forensic Psychology (PSY - 513)

Lesson 44

COUNTER TERRORISM

Objectives:

Understanding of real origin of terrorism

To know about the famous terrorists movements

To understand the role of psychologists and counter terrorism

To get an insight about the role of psychologists in the use of war propaganda and brain

washing

What is Terrorism?

Terrorism is defined by the US Department of Defense as "the unlawful use of -- or threatened

use of -- force or violence against individuals or property to coerce or intimidate governments or

societies, often to achieve political, religious, or ideological objectives."

The word terrorism is used in many historical, political contexts. Terrorism has been around as a major

trouble to governments as long as recorded history but in this lecture we will address modern kind of

terrorism , modern terrorism originates in communist struggle and freedom fighting. As terrorism

was systematically used in communism and freedom fighting particularly in the countries of colonial

occupation like Britain, France and Italy e.t.c

There are people who believe in wild struggle and fighting to win or get freedom. They confirm the idea

to over throw the power so terrorism is elemental in such movements. In such situations violence and

aggression and terrorism gets a logical, rational and philosophical support and is not seen as a dirty

word. They support the idea to weaken the enemy or government with terrorist activities.

On contrary few leaders believe in peaceful struggle as Quaid-e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a

firm believer of peaceful struggle for freedom.

Famous Terrorist Movements

Few of famous movements involving terrorism include:

Guerrilla Warfare

Red Brigades (Italy 1970s)

Irish Republic Army

PLO

ANC - African National Congress

Guerrilla Warfare

Mao Zedong is considered founders of Guerrilla warfare who was a

communist and guerilla warfare was used during the Chinese civil war.

Basic tactics are based on use of violence and aggression for the attainment

of goal and even a Book entitled "guerrilla war fare "written by Che

Guevara (an American-Latin leader) was published addressing the tactics

of defeating the enemy with the help of terrorist activities. Terror is used to

focus international attention on the guerrilla cause, killing of opposition

leaders, shake down cash from targets, frighten the general population,

create economic losses, and keep followers and possible defector in line.

Red Brigades (Italy 1970s)

Brigate Rosse in Italian, were a terrorist group located in Italy and active during the 1970s. Red

Brigades sought to create a revolutionary state through armed struggle and to separate Italy from the

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Forensic Psychology (PSY - 513)

Western Alliance (NATO). Suicidal bombing attacks, systematic assassination, plane high jacking and

killings were very common and they murdered many important persons.

Irish Republic Army

The IRA fought a guerrilla war against the government military in Ireland from 1919 to July 1921and as

mentioned earlier it was a wild struggle incorporating all terrorist activities.

PLO

The Palestinian Liberation Organization also approved the use of violence, aggression and exclusively

"armed struggle" against Israeli occupation.

ANC - African National Congress

The African National Congress (ANC) has been South Africa's governing party, usually people know

the ANC leadership concluded that the methods of non-violence but infact they also used the violent

tactics and Nelson Mandela was convicted for 20 years.

Misconceptions

A famed misconception in west is that "Jihad" and terrorism are closely linked. Muslims are viewed as

most suitable suicide bomber because of the concept of "Shahadat".

Modern Jihad in Chechnya

Modern Jihad in Afghanistan

We need to understand Jihad in its real context as it was launched by Hazrat Muhammad PBUH in

"Gazwat". That was the legitimate "Jihad" and had clear frame of work and instructions. In Islam, a

war is not for oppressing or subjugates civilians; it is waged for the cause of Allah and weak people and

there is a clear code of conduct like no women, children and old people will be harmed or injured,

poison will not be mixed in wells. We have to make a clear distinction in Jihad and terrorism as these

two entities do not go together. As long as the issues of suicidal attacks are concerned this concept is not

unique to Islam as we have discussed that suicidal attacks were very common in Red Brigade, American

Latin guerrilla warfare and Irish Republic Army .

Suicidal attacks have no connection with religion; martyrdom is not the case. Usually suicidal bombings

are a political ploy and trick.

Algerian struggle against French colonial rule

Was a violent socialist struggle lead by Ahmad bin Billah. It was purely a secular movement but many

people gave their lives but it was not"jihad"

Vietnam Struggle

Vietnam struggle against American occupation was a communist and purely Buddhist movement.

Formal and conventional warfare was fought and too much violence and terrorism was involved that

American Army had to run away from the Vietnam and were extremely exhausted by the terrorist

attacks. But that was not Jihad as suicidal bombing was frequently practiced.

Counter Terrorism and roles of psychologists

"Counter-terrorism means the exercises, practices, techniques, tactics and strategies that are

adopted in order to fight terrorism".

How to counter terrorism?

But now the question arises that how can Psychologists help in counter terrorism? How to encounter

terrorism we must now the causes and ground on which a terrorists and their activities role.

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Forensic Psychology (PSY - 513)

Psychologists can be extremely helpful in determining the alarming increase in terrorism including

Pakistan.

1. So psychologists are very helpful and frequently involved in Assessment

2. Are involved in finding measures to encounter terrorism

3. Investigation

Another important duty of psychologist is investigation. Because propaganda and indoctrination stays at

the core of terrorism, understanding their profile and functions increases the ability to counter terrorism

more effectively Psychologists are involved in finding the truth we must look in to the doctrine of brain

washing they have been through and what made a person to become a terrorist. What privileges and

incentives are promised to the families of suicidal bomb attackers? Answers of all such questions are

essential to understand the doctrine of bran washing. Then some one could be able to debrief them. Here

understanding of one thing is very important that process of investigation is to be done for the

attainment of information that is to be supportive in counter/reduction of terrorism.

Israelis are known as experts for counter terrorism but they apply torturous methods and disintegrate,

humiliate, denigrate, intimidate Philistines. They are terrifying but their inhumane techniques do not

help in gaining information.

If we want to acquire valuable information, the best way is the human treatment. And psychologist

challenge their believes, create uncertainty about certainty like telling them that you are going to kill

your own brothers and human ways of investigations are 100% more effective than the torturous ways

that only ends up with firming the existing believes.

Psychologist's strategies to combat terrorism

1. Challenging the believes of terrorists

2. Reducing media coverage to terrorist activities by taking media in confidence as spreading

terror in civilians is usually one of the basic intentions of terrorist's activities.

3. Not negotiating with terrorist, but in some case negotiations are unavoidable like incidences

of plane high jacking.

4. In such cases the need of most appropriate people arises who can negotiate effectively, again

psychologists are involved in training expert negotiators because psychologists do have an

edge of understanding the psyche of terrorists through trainings and experiences.

5. Providing counseling to the victims of terrorist's acts and effected families. Like in 1980s

services of psychologists were sought in Pakistan history while a plane was high jacked and few

passengers were assassinated in front of all other high jacked passenger. They were extremely

traumatized, so were provided individual as well as group counseling and very effective

remedies were recommended by the psychologist and that had a very substitute and positive

effect on victims.

Psychologists & Propaganda war

"War of hearts and minds of people" Wars are not only fought with dangerous weapons but wars are

won on the basis of many psychological tactics and propagandas and psychologists have several positive

and negative roles to play.

Psychologists work as media managers because they know the principals of communication

and information's are passed with out offending media and government.

Psychologists work for damage control

Psychologists as policy makers

Eventually the politicians have a decisive role

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Forensic Psychology (PSY - 513)

Psychologists can't undo wrongs

Psychologists and Brain Washing

Dorland's Medical Dictionary defines brainwashing (also known as thought reform or re-education) as

"any systematic effort aimed at instilling certain attitudes and beliefs in a person against his will,

usually beliefs in conflict with his prior beliefs and knowledge."

Brain washing is historically used in wars and understanding of brain washing doctrine is substantive

for counter terrorism.

Japanese and the WWII in the Far East

Early Japanese anti-American propaganda was used during WWII. Philippine public was co-operating

with American military. Japanese disguised their own planes and painted as if were the planes of

American Air force and throw down the leaf let near by American troops in community of Philippines

addressing American solders to stay away from Philippines women as they had dangerous sexual

diseases, were loose character and easy. And just after few days Japan defeated the US military in

Philippines just because of the psychological war.

Chinese communists and the Korean war prisoners

The most precise brain washing was used by Chinese during Korean War, China got involved and large

numbers of American solders were arrested and a large group of intelligence-officers, psychiatrists, and

psychologists received assignments to debrief United Nations soldiers. Astonishingly, when American

solders went back they were all communists.

One other important historic name is Dr. Joseph Goebbels, known as master of propaganda and

brain washing who used many effective psychological tactics in German during WWII.

Key Points

Suicide attacks are not unique to Islam

Red Brigade and IRA have used suicide bombings

Psychologists have a vital role to play in Counter terrorism

Investigation should focus on exploring indoctrination & Brain washing

Challenging beliefs and creating uncertainty is more effective than torture

Or intimidation

Reducing media coverage to terrorists is also helpful in counter terrorism

Not negotiating with terrorists

Negotiations during hostage taking

Psychologists as expert negotiators

Counseling to ex-hostages

Counseling for victims of terrorism and their relatives

Psychologists can help in policy making but Eventually the politicians have a decisive role

and psychologists can't undo wrongs

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