What Makes a Terrorist?

Yet, it is not first on America’s list of states to be targeted and made an example of. As Thomas Friedman wrote recently in the NYT, America is concerned about the absence of democracy only in enemy nations. Anantha Nageswaran

Unless Muslims all over the world get their dues — from their own government as well as the international community — they will continue to be disillusioned and angry with the rest of the world. There is a feeling among them that they have been alienated from the mainstream for no fault of theirs. Their suppressed anger and frustration culminates in acts of violence. Decades of suppression and denial of their basic rights are the main causes of their rebellion. Speeding up democratic processes and restoration of their rights would provide the healing touch. In India, the Muslims have equal rights. That is why no Indian Muslim figures in the FBI’s wanted list. In this respect, India can be a role model to other Muslim countries.V.P. Damodar

When people’s aspirations and human rights are trampled by brute force, terrorism becomes the only way out. And our neighbour has hardly ever allowed any democracy. No wonder it has become the epicentre of the present scourge. Unless the world takes heed and endeavours to protect democracies and human rights on a universal basis, there is no sure way to halt terrorism. For this, dismantling of democratic governments must not be allowed; military and other coup leaders should be isolated and boycotted by the world community; democracy should be a pre-requisite for membership of the United Nations and World Bank aid.Raghubir Singh

Shouldn’t we as Indians, having seen the benefits of a functioning vibrant democracy, tried harder to espouse the cause to our neighbours like Nepal and Pakistan. Rather than chiding Pakistan for its lack of democracy, we need to help the forces of democracy in that country.Vinayak Barve

The Indian Muslims are culturally disconnected from their Arab neighbours, much like the Indian Christians who have nothing in common with the West other than their religion. Democracy is an ideal, the benefits of which vary.

A corrupt country, otherwise professing democracy, is worse than a monarchy where the subjects are well-to-do and can live peacefully. While there is no ideal democracy or ideal monarchy, a working democracy has its benefits over non-democratic systems of governance.Issac George

There is so much hypocrisy in the Western world. The problem is not limited to Europeans. America is equally or more hypocritical/ pragmatic. Arrogance, religious prejudice, and abuse of power are very obvious in Bush’s approach as well.

Naresh Khatri

I’ve been in the Arab Street long enough to know that America is hated for what it does and not on the rebound. This war has been justified with one lie after another, including the one you seek to promote. We all watched America liberate Kuwait and make it a democratic star in the Middle East. The fact of the matter is America cannot afford a democratic Middle East. Do not forget the public expression in Iran after the fall of the Shah. An important purpose of this exercise is to establish military presence in the Middle East, ensure supply of oil so it may threaten Saudi Arabia and others in the region without hurting itself.Sriram

Do you really believe that all the population of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan worry about is the absence of democracy in their respective countries? The brains behind terrorism in Islamic states mostly belong to the richer classes (an example being Osama bin Laden), or the misguided state machinery or jehadi outfits created by religious bigots.

You have used the phrase ‘‘history of excesses by the security forces (in Kashmir)’’. What are the security forces expected to do when there are armed people out there, bent on spreading terrorism. Believe me, if one day Texas would think of separating from the US, the whole American Army would descend on that State.Shashi Mathur

The article ‘‘Globalisation of terror’’ raises some valid points, but goes overboard. The focus on 9/11 distorts the picture. There were no Palestinians or Indian involved, but nor were there any Algerians, Moroccans, Egyptians or other nationals belonging to countries with known terrorist groups.

The most oppressed Muslims in the world are probably the Kurds, and for the most part the oppression has received Western support. But how many Kurdish terrorists are there? How many Shias or Ahmadiyas from Pakistan, where they have been oppressed by governments, have taken to terrorism?

What does terrorism have to do with Iraq anyway? Or have you swallowed Colin Powell’s ‘‘evidence’’ that Iraq somehow supports the Al Qaeda? You do make the point that Iraqis don’t believe their government is supported by the West ‘‘any longer’’.

But they certainly believed that till around 1990. Were there any Iraqi terrorists before that? You are right that Indian Muslims, even the alienated ones, have not strayed into international terrorism. In fact, they haven’t, for the most part, even indulged in domestic terrorism.

Terrorism from majority groups, like the Shiv Sena, is a far more serious problem. But you can’t be arguing, surely, that these Hindu groups are alienated?Rahul

There is another aspect to your argument. To get maximum publicity, terrorists must hit the most spectacular target. Killing hundreds of people in their own country is not going to get the same kind of ‘‘CNN’’ coverage. Thus an open and affluent society will always be the target. Notice that there had been almost no attack in UK compared to USA.Gautam Ray