This week, you examined the phenomenon of suicide bombers. These terrorists present an unusual challenge for counterterrorism and law enforcement officials. Examine the following aspects of these cases:
- What would make people surrender their lives for a cause?
- Do suicide bombers make a rational choice to sacrifice their lives, or does “brainwashing” have a role in making people agree to execute suicide attacks?
- In what ways does suicide terrorism present a unique threat to freedom and peace?
- What do terrorists have to gain from using such tactics of mass destruction and loss of human lives? How does killing innocent civilians help any cause?
- Explain the concepts of jihad, fatwa, and shahadat. Does the religious aspect of these concepts help to legitimize behaviors that would otherwise be prohibited?