TERRORISM - Strategic tool or International threat ?

April 23, 2025

TERRORISM - Strategic tool or International threat

Terrorism is at a crossroad of perception between what is called a " strategic tool to assert power and independence " but globally recognized as an undeniable threat! This article intends to present an unbiased perspective on what is morally right and globally acceptable in the pursuit of international peace and security—core values that terrorism fundamentally undermines and deliberately disregards.

Before we delve right in, let's have a clear picture as to why terrorism was created -

Terrorism is not new and neither is it any form of random violence. It is calculative, strategic and has a motive massive than just religious atrocities. It dates back centuries. One noticeable incident that fueled terrorist sentiments was the protracted conflict of the Soviet - Afghan war. The US and Pakistan indirectly supported mujhaideen financially and provided it with warfare weapons, and now the same fighters have formed groups like the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. This extensive support inadvertently contributed to the emergence of extremist groups. Notably, figures like Osama bin Laden were involved in organizing and financing mujahideen efforts during this period. In short, this establishes that terrorism didn't come to power overnight, but kept growing until it become a threat to the very superpowers that unintentionally created it.

Hillary Clinton (2010, ABC interview):
“We created the monster we’re fighting now… We funded the mujahideen. They were fighting the Soviets. We helped them and it came back to bite us.” - whilst acknowledging the long term consequences

Now after one has acquired the the minimal information about the creation of terrorism, one may question, " Why terrorism, what are it's aims " ?

The truth is religion can be considered the mask, NOT the primary motive behind such violence. It can be said that terrorism is a bigger problem that hides in clothing of religious sentiments. With that being said, what is the motive and aim behind terrorism ? Terrorism did not just come to existence due to the religious indifferences, there is far more to it. While using the world " religion " may make the oppressors seem vulnerable, but in reality, this is a strategic misuse of religion—a tool to justify violence, gain emotional sympathy, and mask political or ideological motives. Terrorist groups often distort religious teachings to legitimize their violence and recruit followers. Terrorism is after all a method to gain control in the political sphere, intimidate the governments and more ever cause tremendous damage to life and property like the most recent brutal attack wherein gun men opened fire upon innocent tourists in Pahalgam.

Terrorism must be condemned worldwide as violence is never the answer—especially when it targets innocent civilians under the guise of ideology or resistance. There is no substitute for diplomacy—violence only deepens wounds, while dialogue builds bridges - except in cases of self defence. When diplomacy fails and violence replaces dialogue, the consequences must be addressed internationally.

Source - ( Statistics )