What is the difference between terror and "shock and awe"?

Answer 1

Terror implies fear
Shock implies confusion
Awe inplies amazement

Answer 2

There are many. But we'll keep the list short to what matters most.

- Terrorism targets innocent civilians and/or doesn't care about the loss of civilian life

- "Shock and awe" is a phrase to describe the bombings in the two gulf wars by the U.S. military. Using it in this context, it was a response to aggresion by Saddam, or in response to his violations against weapon inspectors and 17 U.N. resolutions

- Shock and awe is hitting many military targets at once and to signal that the conflict is "real" to all those thinking about joining or supporting the other side. It consists of hitting military or terrorist targets, and not to intentionally result in civilian casualties.


Nice try, kiddo. But if you're trying to draw that they are "one in the same", you are sadly mistaken my friend...


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UPDATE
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The liberal poster above who plagiarized the article from http://electroniciraq.net/news/2035.shtml
apparently doesn't have an opinion of their own. But the fact of the matter is, that article is only an opinion lacking any hard evidence and based on pure speculation. You first would have to know that the mall was an "intentional" target. You would then have to know that the Iraqi government wasn't using resources from that civilian institution to support its military, or hiding weapon caches within it. You would have to know enough classified information that you wouldn't be able to talk about it out in the open, therefore making it nothing more than one person's opinion.

Answer 3

In definition, terror is when you are afraid and shaking and really scared.

Shock and awe is when you are so overwhelmed by something that all you can do is stand there and watch with your mouth gaping.


In practical application, terrorists who perpetrate terrorist acts do it to frighten others. They do it without any advance notice or warnings. They do not care how many innocent people lose their lives because of what they do. They sneak around planning their acts in secret, with no advance warning. They are cowardly and despicable.

Shock and awe was carried out as a retaliatory act against terrorists. Everyone was told that it was coming and that they had better get out of the way days before it took place!

Terrorists need to understand that their cowardly actions have severe consequences, and the US is not afraid to use everything they have to punish those who are responsible.

Answer 4

Robert McNamarra was the Secretary of Defence during the Vietnam war and a statistician during WWII. He said (I'm paraphrasing) that the difference between war heros and war criminals depends on who won the war.

I think it's the same idea with terrorists, insurgents, revolutionaries, and an occupying foreign military.

History will be harsh on GWBush for his misguided efforts...the deficit soars, US influence and reputation hurt for the next 20 years, the pre-emptive strike proven wrong, Iran/NKorea empowered to build out nuclear arsenal due to US failure in Iraq, Iraq less safe and worse off than when Hussein in power, 100K Iraqis killed and expense of $100B+, US citizens more at risk, US$ drops in value...etc etc

Is anyone pissed off about this? I can't even stand to read the news anymore.

Answer 5

terrorists don't care who they kill thinking they will get 72 virgins in heaven. the shock and awr was 1400 missles on three buildings thought to have saddam in them. we can direct a hit from 6,000 miles away to the target. terrorists just hit anything to make people scared. to have control over the world. the shock and awe wasn't really what it was. japan was the only shock and awe.

Answer 6

Our intention was to terrorize the government of Iraq, the terrorists' intentions are to terrorize civilians. Although our intentions were to terrorize the government, it did terrorise and kill many civilians, so all I can say is that at least we were'nt aiming right for them.

Answer 7

terror=fear shock= surprise awe= bewildered

Answer 8

Terrorists aim at any targets they can get, including women and children, hospitals, holy places, businesses, government buildings, and other non-military targets.

Shock and awe was aimed at military targets like barracks, weapons depots, training facilities, soldiers, armored vehicles, bunkers, etc...

Answer 9

terror is waking up and the jews are in control of the whole world.
shock & awe is the jews all comitted suicide.

Answer 10

One is a military tactic. The other is a political statement by head chopping terrorists. I wish we would be as merciless as the terrorists sometimes... might put a quick end to all this.

Answer 11

shock and awe was aimed at military command and control
terroirsm is directed at the civilian population.