THE ROOTS OF TERRORISM pdf download

The Roots Of Terrorism by Louise Richardson

THE ROOTS OF TERRORISM

Looking at the root causes of terrorism, however, is not as uncontroversial as it seems. Some dismiss it as simplistic; others even believe it is an effort to justify terrorism.

 I could not disagree more strongly.

As the various contributions in this volume show, those who research the roots of terrorism are conscious that no single cause exists; instead, we are dealing with a complex, multifaceted problem that requires an equally sophisticated response.

Indeed, if our attempts at addressing the roots of terrorism have been simplistic, it is probably because we have not done enough to understand them.

Furthermore, finding out why people become terrorists has nothing to do with excusing their crimes.

 On the contrary, to better appreciate the roots of terrorism strikes me as the most obvious starting point for how to construct our range of responses

 It is about mapping what Louise Richardson once described as the “enabling environment” in which terrorism thrives.

 Doing so will allow us to draw on a much wider range of resources and will enable us to employ these in a more targeted way. In other words, rather than undermining it, such work will help to make the fight against terrorism more effective.

The Madrid Summit was held on the first anniversary of the train bombings in Madrid in 2004, and it was the memory of those terrible attacks that spurred our efforts. Even back then, I was convinced that the process of global engagement, dialogue, and action that was begun in Madrid must continue.

Following the recent bombings in London, Sharm-el-Sheikh, and Bali, it is more necessary than ever.

This book is an important part of that effort. I strongly commend it to every serious student of the topic.