Evaluating Terrorism

Since our topic for the semester was to compare and contrast terrorism in the Middle East with terrorism in a different region in the world, I feel it only justified that it be given a wrap-up as well. Through investigating terrorist activity in Turkey and Sri Lanka, focusing mainly on the PKK and Tamil Tiger organizations, I have concluded that terrorism is rooted in the same values across the world.

            Despite what some may think, cultures do not bred terrorism. Terrorism is a reaction to an imposition, generally an infringement on one’s culture. In the case of Sri Lanka the Tamil Tigers want all ethnicities to be eliminated due to their impurities and contamination of the Tamil community. They want what they the territory which they believe to be theirs, returned to them.

            The latter part of the Tiger’s view is one that is shared by the PKK as well—they want their homeland. The PKK wants to be separated from the ethnicities and cultural groups which do not share their values. They want a political entity to call their own.

            Though the means of terror may be different in these two that is due to their traditions and economic means, not due to choice. They do not choose their terror options by preference, but rather through utilizing the supplies they have.

            Terrorism is not an inherent quality of any type of political system, values, or beliefs. Terrorism has become a universal entity due to globalization challenging cultures, and cultures attempting to strengthen themselves by attempting to become pure units—whether it is pure ethnically, religiously, or through which ever means the community seeks.