|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- LIVING IN THE NEW AGE OF TERRORISM -
So Terrorism is here to stay. Apparently, one billion Muslims want to kill Infidel.
Obviously, there is a problem, both for Muslims and Infidel.
For Osama Bin Laden the aim is to produce a Caliphate from Morocco to Indonesia, probably centered in Medan or Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is generally believed that production of such a federation would be resisted by the CIA, and by those "Caliphs" (many of whom are perceived as Anti Muslim) who currently are the dictators of Muslim states. The actual acts of terrorism performed are irrelevant & incidental. They are a method of uniting Muslims under the banner of Jihad.
For TERRORISTS, The problem with resorting to terrorism is avoidance of possible massive retaliation. If terrorism exceeds a "reasonable" limit, then it is conceivable that a significant shift in public opinion in the USA & Europe could occur, such that extermination of terrorist sympathizers by means which might include the use of Atomics and CBW might become acceptable. Such exterminations have happened in the recent history of European states, and SPIN is concerned that the national characteristics that permitted such exterminations to occur might not have been eradicated in the last six decades.
SPIN worries more about the terrorist who might follow Bin Laden and the religious students (Taliban). The successor might well be motivated to genocide against Infidel.
For TERRORIST VICTIMS, the problem is to disperse and present a low profile. On a national level this will translate to decentralization of everything. Government, utilities, manufacturing, people, all must decentralize. Elected leaders and hostile opinion agglomerators (journalists) seem to be the targets of choice for the Anthrax terrorists. Opinion makers will learn to disperse about the world, providing their input on world events from secret and secure locations. Legislators will presumably seek ways to enact legislation by internet sessions of legislators, from secret & secure locations.
Under sustained attack, cities of assembly like New York and Washington would wither within decades. Following discovery of the Internet, such decentralization was both inevitable & desirable.
The effect of terrorism has been, paradoxically, to accelerate
this progression.