Underlying Causes of Terrorism

Paper Summary:

The paper describes the history of unrest in the Middle Eastern region. The paper contends that through Western policies, embargoes, fear and greed, the Middle East has been caught in a continuous cycle of oppression and restriction with very little hope of escaping. The paper maintains that the interest the Western world has in the Middle East's natural resources generate frustration, fear and poverty, which in turn generates a highly fertile environment for the violence and deliberate aggression of terrorism. The paper shows how U.S. foreign polices have done nothing to reduce the threat of terrorism in the Middle East. The paper asserts that only truly humanitarian efforts can bring about a positive change in the region.

Outline:
Introduction
Thesis
History
Resources
Frustration and Oppression=Terrorism
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The struggles of the Ottoman Empire against the Western world are well documented all the way back through the conflicts with the Roman Empire. Even then the focus was on the resources that the Middle East, such as silk and spices, that were sorely missed in Europe. Not only were the resources a major issue, but the struggle for Christian domination over Islam was a major goal as well. Constant clashes over trade routes and control in then independent countries laid the foundation for centuries of conflict."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Taheri, A. (1988). Nest of Spies. New York: Pantheon Books. Discusses how American polices in Iran have failed since World War II. It provides the history of post-WWII foreign policies with the Middle East and plainly details Kissinger's role in the downfall of positive relations with the country. Offers little in the way of solutions except for being an advocate of the truth in media and the education of the American public on its own foreign affairs and other government workings.
• Hartung, W. D. Breaking the arms-sales addiction. World Policy Journal, winter 1990-91, 7. Describes the fundamental policies and drives behind the arms sales of the US and Britain. Reveals how the sale of arms is, on the surface, seemingly beneficial to the enemy nations, but is in fact a key element of keeping those nations from acquiring capital and therefore independence. Discusses polices of genuine humanitarian efforts and peace treaties that would eliminate the need for the oppression of capital and therefore the perceived need of arms sales.
• Chomsky, N. (1999). The new military humanism: lessons from Kosovo. Maine: Common Courage Press. Asks the question of whether the war over Kosovo during the Clinton administration was truly an act of humanitarianism or a vicious attack that blatantly ignored international laws in an effort to establish a new world order that espouses "might vs. right." Suggests that organizations such as NATO and the UN be more sensitive to the humanitarian goals under which these organizations were founded, and for the US to revise its current "bullying" foreign policies.
• Everest, G. (2003). Oil, power, and empire: Iraq and the U.S. global agenda. Maine: Common Courage Press. Details the history behind the United States' involvement in Iraq as well as the involvement of other Western countries in an effort to reduce the potential for capital gain in the East, and clearly shows how the current war is an extension of ancient interests and antique foreign policy. Champions the idea of education of the public as a weapon against such bad foreign policy.
• Scheuer, M. (2004). Imperial hubris: why the west is losing the war on terror. Virginia: Potomac Books. A blunt and forceful discussion of how publicized information is deliberately false, and that the aims and ultimate intentions of the U.S. have, and will continue to have, grave consequences as far as the escalating violence of terrorism. Acknowledges, though a controversial statement, that, although Americans are trained to see bin Laden as a vicious, single-minded brute, it cannot be denied that he is the single most popular and influential anti-American leader in the world. This book is aimed at reaching the top politicians and encourages them to "stop fooling themselves that this war is getting us anywhere as a country."

More papers on Underlying Causes of Terrorism:

• Analytical Essay # 147302 : "The Causes of Terrorism"
• Research Paper # 145542 : "Impact of the 9-11 Attacks on the American Economy"
• Persuasive Essay # 103500 : "The War on Terror - Who's Really Losing?"

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