What can we do to put the fear of punishment / retribution in terrorists and avoid acts of terror?

Question

The answer should be such that it should be reasonable, sensible and easily achievable. Terrorists indulge in acts of terror because they feel that they can get away with it ( even if it were a suicide bomber) , only if we can exploit some universal vulnerability in them ( if any ) can one eliminate terrorism . I would like to know whether something like this can be done.

Answer 1

I think trying to use fear, punishment and retribution is just using the tools they rely on - fear. Suicide bombers do not fear. They have nothing to lose. I don't think your idea will work.

Answer 2

I don't believe there is a single answer or silver bullet theory. The first thing that has to be understood is that there are many reasons for terrorists acts. Many are sourced in a profound religious belief that the followers are called upon to kill non-believers of their own faith. This is further fueled by an intense hate of others. Face it, there are those who hate western beliefs so intensly that they are not only happy to murder for those beliefs, they believe that they will be rewarded in the afterlife for their actions. While you may believe that these acts are wrong, they believe they are right. They don't fear retribution from the west as much as they fear retribution from God.

Another source of terrorists acts is oppression and poverty. The Palestinians do not recognize Israel as a state. In fact, Israel did not exist as a state until after World War II. Palestinians were on that land prior to WWII and feel part of their country was stolen from them. Imagine if the neighborhood you lived in was suddenly given over to some other country and you had to move out. You would be pretty angry over it. To make it worse, many Palestians live in a poverty stricken state. I am not talking about just poor like you might see a homeless person in on the streets of New York City - I am talking far, far worse. Until you have been to a truly poverty striken area, it is hard to imagine what the word poverty truly means while sitting in a nice comfortable chair behind a computer sipping coffee. Of course, you can go back through history and religious text to find all kinds of arguements about who really owns the land. You can go all the way back to the story of Abraham and see that the conflict has existed for thousands of years.

The issues in Kashmir are similar. Some people in Kashmir want to be part of Pakistan while others India. Nobody asked them when the border was drawn decades ago. Someone just looked at a map and said the border is here. What "fear of retribution" can you instill in a person who feels so wronged that he is willing to kill and die for his cause?

What about the former IRA in Ireland or the Basque seperatists in Spain? They all have different reasons for their actions. What you term a terrorist, they term as a freedom fighter. It is a difference in views and these terrorists are willing to kill and be killed for their cause - they do not fear death. In fact, I suggest that for many, they fear life more than they fear death. How do you change that mentality with a single act?

Answer 3

They are fighting for a cause, how you gonna stop when they are willing to die for God and Country. This whole thing has to be rethought. USA in Afghanistan, Iraq, and by proxy with Israel is the invader in the Middle East! They win or they lose, and it is not a thing to be negotiated. You either must let them have their counties back or kill them all. There are no other logical choices.
What is your decision? Remember that from their side they are as morally upright and as loyal to their beliefs as you are to yours!
It might help if you could consider them with a different term than terrorist, enemy or adversaries might be possible and not as heavily loaded with the criminal concept that is loaded onto terrorist, and is so destructive to clear thought on this subject.

the idea of terrorizing terrorists is clearly foolish, it only escalates the problem.

Answer 4

Terrorists are highly motivated people who are willing to sacrifice their lives for a cause. If you have to stop them, you should have a terrific anti-terrorist squad which will eliminate them. That is how Che Guevera and the IRA were stopped. Same goes for most terrorists. There is no point in trying to play mind games with them. They are tough and should not be taken lightly.

Answer 5

Islamic terrorism is inspired by Islamic teachings. We can never get rid of Islamic terrorism unless we defeat the ideology behind it and that is Islam itself. Islam induces hate backed by lies. Muhammad was a terrorist by his own admission. All Muslims, to the extent that they follow him, are terrorists. Those Muslims who are not terrorists are ignorant of Islam and are not good Muslims. Fortunately they are the majority. We need to rescue them. If you are a good human being, you are not a Muslim. Read this site and if you can't prove me wrong, which you certainly can't, leave this deceitful cult of hate and terror and join mankind. Don't be part of the Umma. Umma is fascism. It is divisive. It induces the hatred of others. Be part of humanity instead. Your ignorance is not an excuse. Pull your head out of the sand and face the truth, like we did.
Faith Freedom International is a grassroots worldwide movement of ex-Muslims and all those who are concerned about the rise of the Islamic threat. We want to bring humanity together, not by introducing yet another doctrine, which always ends up dividing mankind more, but by eliminating the doctrines that divide us. We want to abolish this evil 'Muslim vs. Kafir" dichotomy. Mankind is one family. Don't let narcissist men like Hitler and Muhammad sunder us with their big lies. Don't become the victim of the "divide and rule" policy of a psychopath.

Faith Freedom stands for freedom of faith. We are against Hate, not Faith. We revere human rights not human beliefs. We endeavor to be factually correct, not politically correct.

Do your part! Let this message out. Let us eradicate Islam and bring mankind together - the way God intended. Islam is the cancer of humanity. We can get rid of it. There is nothing we humans can't do. Mountains move aside to make way for those who are determined.

Answer 6

that's the rub, if a terrorist is willing to die to commit an act of terrorism, what do you threatened him with,"I'm going to kill you" now that want work! Maybe and only maybe the threat of killing all of this living family might work, but what civilized country will really do that?