According to Reich (2998) there are nine suggestions for research on terrorism.
The two
suggestions that I selected and believe are important was Suggestion #3 studying the reward
of the terrorist life (p. 277).
Most terrorists engage a great deal of preparation for months
and in some cases years in planning their attacks.
Understanding the length of time terrorist
prepare for their attacks will affect the manner in which officials respond.
Also, learning the
terrorist behavior, examining, knowing, and understanding what motivate the terrorist is an
important perspective and could shed some light on how to search for ways to respond and
prevent terrorist acts before they occur and arrest the perpetrators.
The second suggestion I selected and believe to be important was Suggestion #8 why do
some radical oppositionist groups become terrorists while others, under the same or similar
circumstances, continue to pursue essentially peaceful means to achieve their goals? (Reich,
1998).
People become terrorists because of ethnic differences, religious reasons, or other
reasons.
Also, some people become terrorists because they are looking for an identity for
themselves.
For example, some of the young people who joined al-Qaeda were considered
identity seekers who had some type of traumatic experience, and considered a motivating
factor in their decision in becoming a terrorist.
The recruitment for terrorist mainly focus on
those vulnerable in society, becoming involved in terrorist activities, whether as a passive
supporter or an active supporter may represent the first true meaning a terrorist had in their
life.
Reich, W. (1998).
Origins of Terrorism: Psychologies, ideologies, theologies: States of
mind
. Washington, DC: Woodrow Wilson Center Press.
