The biggest issue in world politics today is naturally the most complex to tackle. Violent religious extremism, in the form of Islamic militants, violent Zionists, or the KKK, is one of the greatest challenges the international community will have to face in the 21st century. The use of religion as a political tool in veiled land and economic disputes in the Middle East and elsewhere threatens the security of citizens everywhere. Religiously affiliated terrorist groups (for example, Al Qaeda) continue to fuel the cultural myth of “the clash of civilizations,” a construct that will hamper international relations between the West and East until it is discredited. In order to solve this universal problem, the international community must examine its roots in poverty, unemployment, and a deprived education system. Terrorism in the Middle East is perhaps the most poignant and recognized example of the multifaceted nature of this political animal.
(Athenian red-figure vase, ca.475 BC, Palermo, Sicily)
“Religious” terrorist networks in the Middle East have often been equated to the ancient Greek monster Hydra. According to Greek mythology, Hydra was a nearly invincible monster with seven heads. When attacked, each head would grow back two fold. The United States may hunt down existing Islamic militants in Afghanistan, however, the more fighters killed, the more that spring up in their place. This is why a unilateral military strategy for combating terrorism will not suffice. While other global issues can be dealt with in political or economic negotiations, religious extremism is a component of culture that will take generations to drain. As the ancient Greek myth of Hydra informs us, the best way to attack the monster of terrorism would be to burn its roots, or in other words nullify the next generation of potential recruits. In order to break this endless cycle, the world must provide the next generation of so-called “third world” citizens a less violent, healthier and more prosperous path in life. To tackle the roots of violent religious extremism, sovereign nations, in conjunction with the international community, would need to focus funding on improving education for both men and women, increase employment opportunities, and implement social programs for youth. In this way, counterterrorism can be viewed as a complex area of social work.
(Athenian red-figure vase, ca.475 BC, Palermo, Sicily)
“Religious” terrorist networks in the Middle East have often been equated to the ancient Greek monster Hydra. According to Greek mythology, Hydra was a nearly invincible monster with seven heads. When attacked, each head would grow back two fold. The United States may hunt down existing Islamic militants in Afghanistan, however, the more fighters killed, the more that spring up in their place. This is why a unilateral military strategy for combating terrorism will not suffice. While other global issues can be dealt with in political or economic negotiations, religious extremism is a component of culture that will take generations to drain. As the ancient Greek myth of Hydra informs us, the best way to attack the monster of terrorism would be to burn its roots, or in other words nullify the next generation of potential recruits. In order to break this endless cycle, the world must provide the next generation of so-called “third world” citizens a less violent, healthier and more prosperous path in life. To tackle the roots of violent religious extremism, sovereign nations, in conjunction with the international community, would need to focus funding on improving education for both men and women, increase employment opportunities, and implement social programs for youth. In this way, counterterrorism can be viewed as a complex area of social work.
Hydra (9/30/01, Black &White World, page 9.)
Because of its intricate nature, violent religious extremism holds the gauntlet for major issues facing the global community in this century. With increased globalization, internet communication, and the proliferation of dangerous nuclear weapons, violent religious extremism has raised the stakes for national security around the world. Just as Hercules killed the Hydra by scorching its necks before the heads grew back, the international community must imagine creative solutions to burn the roots of this persistent threat to international security.
Because of its intricate nature, violent religious extremism holds the gauntlet for major issues facing the global community in this century. With increased globalization, internet communication, and the proliferation of dangerous nuclear weapons, violent religious extremism has raised the stakes for national security around the world. Just as Hercules killed the Hydra by scorching its necks before the heads grew back, the international community must imagine creative solutions to burn the roots of this persistent threat to international security.
By: Aubrey Rose
Authors Note: Historically, the Greek myth of Hydra has been equated to complex issues in society. While I have never read an in-depth comparison of terrorism and the Hydra, I cannot claim this as my own metaphor. While I have no specific article to cite, I want to offer the disclaimer that this metaphor has been used before and I do not claim it as my original creation.
I couldn't agree more. If we are going to defeat terrorism it can not only be done with the force and strength of our military but with our ideals. Only an idea can destroy another idea.
ReplyDeletevery interesting. One question though, pertaining to "To tackle the roots of violent religious extremism, sovereign nations, in conjunction with the international community, would need to focus funding on improving education for both men and women, increase employment opportunities, and implement social programs for youth. In this way, counterterrorism can be viewed as a complex area of social work." - what funding would you cut in order to provide the education and employment opportunities, etc.? What programs would you give up to provide such things? - Mindy
ReplyDeleteI love the hydra example! While I don't necessarily see terrorism as the most pressing issue in the world, I do agree that it is an important one. I also agree that terrorism is difficult to combat. Initially, one would think that that terrorism would cease to be a problem once people stopped reacting to it (as in: cutting back on the ridiculous amount of airport security; stop putting it in the news everyday), but upon further contemplation one realizes that terrorism is spawned by racial hate and the "race" of the United States will never change. Therefore, the only way to combat terrorism is, as you say, "burning it at the neck". Preventative measures (and probably lots of propaganda) should be used not just by the United States, but other Western countries as well to effectively nullify terrorism. Perhaps lots of soccer would help occupy these would-be terrorists? :)
ReplyDelete--Elle
Thanks for the comments guys! To respond to Mindy's comment: I see the money involved in this operation less as cutting/saving and more as shifting strategies and therefore resources we already have. After all, combatting terrorism falls within the realm of the U.S's defense budget. We see this slight shift in Afghanistan military strategy under the Obama administration already begin to manifest itself. Even as early as 2008 in the Iraq war, the U.S. was spending $254 million on social rehabilitation programs to de-radicalize Islamic militants in Iraq. Now under this new administration, President Obama has made it clear that this war against terrorism in Afghanistan will take a military and cultural approach. This gives me hope that a re-organization of priorities will allow sufficient money to be taken from excessive military operations and put towards roots programs. Also, as we learned from the presentation on AIDS at PEPFAR this wednesday, this issue cannot be tackled by U.S. money alone. Funding would have to be organized at the United Nations level. My hope is that the detrimental effects of terrorism on international security will force other large nations to put their money where their mouth is.
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