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| Terror Networks |
| The Terrorism to Come |
| 2004-08-07 |
| From Policy Review, an article by Walter Laqueur, co-chair of the International Research Council at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. .... At present, Islamist terrorism all but monopolizes our attention, and it certainly has not yet run its course. But it is unlikely that its present fanaticism will last forever; religious-nationalist fervor does not constantly burn with the same intensity. There is a phenomenon known in Egypt as "Salafi burnout," the mellowing of radical young people, the weakening of the original fanatical impetus. Like all other movements in history, messianic groups are subject to routinization, to the circulation of generations, to changing political circumstances, and to sudden or gradual changes in the intensity of religious belief. This could happen as a result of either victories or defeats. One day, it might be possible to appease militant Islamism — though hardly in a period of burning aggression when confidence and faith in global victory have not yet been broken. |
| Posted by:Mike Sylwester |
| #13 I refuse to see your point, but hey, we're all open minded here. Consider a killer dose of Magenta to perk up those headers. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-08-07 7:05:45 PM |
| #12 Make it real big and make it blinK! Nope, ain't gonna. Web designers who use those high contrast strobing banners and "bouncing" icons need hot sand enemas. And, pray tell, where's the "screech" in suggesting a more comprehensive method of tracking and identifying terrorists? Now, if I had used such a font for the "Environmentalists lash out at Russia on anniversary of Hiroshima bomb," I'd cheerfully submit to red ant torture on my own. Who can forget the horror that was the mega-font titling of that "Iran: Mass Arrest of Girls and Women" from last night. My monitor was scarred for life, I tells yez. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2004-08-07 5:51:01 PM |
| #11 Make it real big and make it blinK! |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-08-07 5:20:44 PM |
| #10 I do like the use of Screech Size Type tho. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-08-07 5:19:29 PM |
| #9 Nope Zen, still looks like 3 fonts for a dollar helvicter too me. Prehaps its me brooser. But if ye need a bigger I'd advise usenig wood type, which will give the eye a chance to relax before getting bored by the content. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-08-07 5:18:17 PM |
| #8 Drink some more coffee, Shipman. When it finally looks like Times New Roman, get back to me. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2004-08-07 3:15:14 PM |
| #7 Think of the mania these idiots have for multiple passports and noms de guerre. What fun is all that romantic "false nose" activity if simply walking down the street in England (police video cameras everywhere) or a finger prick at the airport/border/bus station renders all the disguises moot. Not to mention having to cart around extra wimmenfolk to steam clean meeting sites and rental cars! This is the precise idea, trailing wife. You have summarized it quite well in how stripping away the layers of intrigue and obscurity will render participation far less attractive. Swift identification and apprehension are solid disincentives. Lugging around the clean-up crews is just icing on the cake! While DNA matches take more time than bus stop identity checks will permit, a fast retinal scan does not and provides a similarly unique basis for comparison. If America does not have the brains to bar any attempted entries by people from nations known to harbor terrorists, obtaining genetic samples from all arrivals (no profiling, 100% sampling) would certainly be of use. Intrusive? Minimally so. Costly? No more than other surveillance methods. Effective? Probably, in that it would provide both a deterrent and tools to identify conspirators before and after the fact. One day, it might be possible to appease militant Islamism Barbara, thank you catching this little nugget. How the author thinks that is of any value is beyond me. Can't let crap like that slip under radar. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2004-08-07 3:05:37 PM |
| #6 SOB now it looks like Olde Times Romafnoff. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-08-07 2:57:49 PM |
| #5 I think we need to make poorly used 36 Pt Helvitica Bold A Crime. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-08-07 2:57:08 PM |
#4 One day, it might be possible to appease militant IslamismAnd we would want to do that why, exactly? Tell it to the Phrench - I hear they're interested. :-( |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2004-08-07 11:06:33 AM |
| #3 I'd make it clear that since terrorists do not represent Islam there is no harm inembalming them with pig blood and filling their coffin with pig guts. Maybe it won't stop 'em, but it might slow down recruiting and cause an end to the silly "do not represent Islam" crap. |
| Posted by: yank 2004-08-07 10:22:46 AM |
| #2 Zenster, Very interesting thoughts! Actually, like the high probability of getting caught/killed has significantly reduced the incoming waves of Jihadi wannabees crossing the borders into Afghanistan and Iraq, simply announcing the existence of a DNA/biometric database will discourage many in the terrorist establishment. Think of the mania these idiots have for multiple passports and noms de guerre. What fun is all that romantic "false nose" activity if simply walking down the street in England (police video cameras everywhere) or a finger prick at the airport/border/bus station renders all the disguises moot. Not to mention having to cart around extra wimmenfolk to steam clean meeting sites and rental cars! |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2004-08-07 8:48:56 AM |
| #1 It is unlikely that Osama and his close followers will be challenged on theological grounds ... And this exonerates Islam's negligence as regards pruning extremists from their ranks, exactly how? ... but there has been criticism for tactical reasons: Assuming that America and the West in general are in a state of decline, why did he not have more patience? Why did he have to launch a big attack while the infidels were still in a position to retaliate massively? Perhaps, because complete fanatics tend to discard all timetables. Aside from 9-11, reflect momentarily upon Japan's attacking Pearl Harbor. Both of these unwise moves "have awoken a sleeping giant" each time and our assailants don't usually get much rest until we are satisfied. This freedom of action was considerably greater than that enjoyed in the Arab and Muslim world; not a few terrorists convicted of capital crimes in countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Algeria were given political asylum in Europe. ... And Europe is now harvesting the fruits of their soft approach to extremism. Terrorists want total war — not in the sense that they will (or could) mobilize unlimited resources; in this respect their possibilities are limited. But they want their attacks to be unfettered by laws, norms, regulations, and conventions. Which is why some extremely unconventional measure may be needed to prevent future terrorist attacks. Profiling, monitoring of movement, and gathering genetic information may all become a routine part of antiterrorist efforts. But, at present, radio and television has to be beamed to an audience 70 percent of which firmly believes that the operations of September 11 were staged by the Mossad. Massive stupidity upon the part of our foes cannot serve as any source of pity or sympathy. It is exactly this sort of denial that has permitted Islam as a whole to stagnate horribly over the past centuries. Should these populations prove unwilling to examine their own cultures' involvement with terrorism, they will merely be lumped together with the terrorists in their midst and be annihilated en masse. While the topic is being discussed, I'd like to introduce a novel concept that may have exceptional use in fighting terrorism. MAKE TERRORISM A DNA CRIME Numerous aspects of terrorism make it vital to gather DNA evidence related to potential and known terrorists. Biometric data, including retinal scans, ear shape and facial profile parameters should be combined with genetic sampling to provide comprehensive identification of suspects. Some factors driving this concept: 1.) Terrorist reliance upon destructive methods and explosives often render subsequent identification of perpetrators via conventional means (i.e., photos, fingerprints, dental charts, remains et al) ineffective. 2.) The clandestine nature of terrorist conspiracies makes crucial the ability to forensically evaluate minute physiological traces in order to connect individuals with specific locations and other co-conspirators. 3.) The cell structure of many terrorist organizations often relies heavily upon familial ties. Mitochondrial DNA would assist in indentifying close relations to those directly involved in terrorist activities. 4.) The frequent use of false identities, plastic surgery and other disguises inhibits ready identification via conventional means like passports. Using DNA profiles would make it much easier to match even the microscopic tissue residue left behind from bomb vest killers and other mass murderers. Correlating familial ties would be of equal use in identifying high risk individuals as well. A single hair follicle left behind at a meeting place could be analysed and traced to existing records. Most terrorist activity is specifically aimed at committing brutally violent criminal acts on a par with sex crimes, homicide, serial murder and other offenses that already require DNA sampling of offenders. Various levels of "blind" matching could be used to protect those who are only suspected of terrorist activity versus convicted individuals whose genetic identity would be a matter of record. Because Rantburg is one of the few places that seems to take terrorism seriously, comments and observations regarding this idea would be welcome. While DNA gathering is not going to stop terrorism in its tracks, it could easily be of use in connecting lone individuals to larger groups or families with known extremist members. This could prove of great value in monitoring preparations for future attacks and analysing evidence resulting from them. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2004-08-07 3:01:39 AM |