Terrorism today has become of the major problems in the contemporary world. As a result, several scholars have penned down a myriad of literal works in demystifying the motive behind terrorism. One of these scholars is Cynthia C. Combs who is a renowned political science professor and the author behind the book Terrorism in the Twenty-First Century. Illustratively, this book is preferred in attempt to understand and analyze the dynamics of the threats of terrorism in the contemporary world. Cogently Combs has significantly analyzed and demystified terrorism, by use of well-illustrated case studies in contextual aspects in terms of politics, history, and philosophy. Thematically, she has captured the themes of terrorism, political violence, weaponry, training, and motivation towards joining terrorism among other issues. As a reflection, it is realizable that Combs comprehensively articulates the earlier mentioned aspects of contemporary terrorism as a threat to peaceful coexistence and the training of terrorists and the role played by the media.
Primarily, it is notable that Combs has devoted a whole chapter to expound on training, the methods, and techniques used by terrorists to achieve their objectives. Illustratively, she has captured issues of who may become a terrorist, what motivates a person to join terrorism and primarily who supports the deciding on joining terrorism. In the same breath, combs capture on the location of the terrorist and how they are trained. Noteworthy, terrorist are trained in several training camps and sites all over the world. These sites and camps include Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, Lebanon, Hungary, Libya, Cuba, Syria, Russia and interestingly, the UK and the United States. Notably, this training is conducted discreetly. The terrorist has also devised traveling training camps this is the case with the al-Qaida group. At the camps, participants who are volunteers are trained in various skills and strategies such as blowing up infrastructures such as railways, roads and buildings, assassinating, extortion/kidnapping, spying, weaponry and military techniques. Also to note, they train on handling bombs, IEDs, conducting aerial hijacking, sabotage and being indoctrinated with an ideology before being released to perform their skills practically on innocent people.
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On the other hand, there are the media which cover both the international and local media. Practically, mass media plays a significant role towards terrorism in what combs refers to as ‘mass-mediated terrorism ‘ interestingly, there is no doubt that fundamentally, the media has done away with the line between what is international and local/domestic terrorism. This scenario is epitomized as Combs notes, by the publicity of the terrorist acts and basically, it is the media that exposes both the ‘successes or the unsuccessful acts of terrorism.' The media is termed as the two-edged weapon because of its usability, by the media either against or in its favor. Combs indicate that terrorist understand that their acts will have a proper impact if they are widely or internationally publicized. As publicity goal, terrorism has managed to use the media as their powerful weapon and gun. Interestingly, the media serve unknowingly publicizes the terrorist actions and serve the interests of the terror groups against their will.
In the same breath, the media and aspects of terrorism are inseparable, in one way or another they complement each other. Terrorists use the media for publicity so as to gain legitimacy and identity in most cases. However, this negatively impacts the public and the mechanisms of the government in decision making towards decision making. The government views this as a method of ‘destabilizing the enemy’ invoked by the terrorists. It is also noted that governments also use the media in a myriad of ways to achieve its goals as combs posit. The government also uses the media for publicity objectives and exposes the terrorists as bad people with criminal intent. This is through issuing warnings and ultimatums to the terrorist through press conferences and to the public about the situations of terrorism. In the same breath, the government may issue a directive on the media not air any terrorist activity to suppress the terrorist activities from getting to the public domain. Regarding criminality and delinquency, the government has since time immemorial invoked the use of the media to fight terrorism. This is in the discretion or powers of the media to subdue terrorism activities, and consequentially deny the terrorists that much needed a platform. This situation is epitomized by political leaders, i.e., the leaders basically issue statements that trigger an inclined public opinion towards resisting terrorism thereby uncovering terrorists' plans. In the same line, the media also has goals to achieve; that is ‘getting a scoop' and appear to report the latest news, having the much desired dramatic news presentation taking risks, and attempt to fight terrorism and media criticism and gagging, freedom, and rights.
In conclusion, it is important to note that Combs has attempted to give a well analyzed and up to date preview and comprehensive observations on the terrorist activities, causes processes in the contemporary world. Important to note is that ‘Terrorism in the Twenty-First Century' is one of the most provoking books for understanding the rationale of terrorism in the modern world in relation to aspects of political aggression. Interesting to note is that Combs has fundamentally discussed and articulated the rationale, causes, the training and the position of the media in the contemporary world terrorism. She has expounded further on the role of religion as a leading cause of terror activities. Similarly, Combs has also given an outline of the position and the role of the media in relation to terrorism. The two chapters as discussed above primarily gives comprehensive and cogent information for anyone intending to study or discover the political aggressions and acts of terrorism in the modern world.
References
Combs, C. C. (2017). Terrorism in the twenty-first century (7th ed.). Routledge.
