It is not easy to imagine something as vile, cowardly and disgusting as terrorism. By committing terrorist attacks, criminals not only intimidate civilians, but also try to influence the decisions of governments and international organizations.
Listverse analyzed a number of terrorist attacks (including the events of 09/11/2001 in the United States and 11/13/2015 in Paris) and published interesting facts about modern terrorismwhich contradict the generally accepted ideas.
5. Not all terrorists are Muslim
No group in the history of terrorism has likely been as large or well-funded as ISIS. It is the richest terrorist organization on Earth, according to Israel's Forbes for 2014. Her annual income is $ 2 billion.
But the cliché that all major "exporters" of terror are linked to Islam is a myth. Some do not depend on religion at all. For example, the organization Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, which is the third richest terrorist organization in the world ($ 600 million), "professes" the ideas of Marxism and Leninism.
4. Most victims of terror do not live in the West
Between 2004 and 2013, the United States was attacked by terrorists 131 times, 20 attacks were fatal. France has been attacked 47 times. And Iraq during this period suffered from 12,000 terrorist attacks, 8,000 of which were fatal.
About 50% of all terrorist attacks and 60% of deaths from terrorist attacks occurred in just three countries: Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Further in the ranking of the most dangerous countries there are India, Nigeria, Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
3. Homegrown Terrorists Kill More Americans Than Jihadists
Jihadists are responsible for the largest massacre of Americans in the history of terrorism (September 11, 2001). But here's an interesting fact about terrorism: Jihadism is not the main deadly source of extremism in America today. Homegrown terrorists have killed more Americans.
For example, in 1995, a car bomb exploded in Oklahoma City, destroying the Alfred Marr Federal Building. 168 people died. Veteran of the Gulf operation Timothy McVeigh was responsible for this act. And in 2012, neo-Nazi Wade Michael Page attacked a Sikh temple, killing six people and seriously wounding three.
2. Research: Terrorism Doesn't Work
In 2009, the American George Mason University analyzed 457 terrorist campaigns since 1968 and found that 94% of extremist groups failed to achieve even one of their stated goals.
It could be argued that ISIS has succeeded in creating a partially functioning, barbaric state in the Middle East.
But the exception only proves the rule. Despite decades of IRA existence, Northern Ireland remains part of the UK. Even the Colombian guerrilla, which came close to overthrowing the Colombian government in the late 1990s, is now ready to negotiate peace with the country's political leadership.
1. Religion or ideology is only part of terrorism
There are two points of view as to why terrorists kill innocent people. One is that terrorists just like to hurt people. Another is that terrorists are violently trying to spread an ideology or religion. However, research shows that religion and ideology are not so much of a concern for extremists. Most of them are motivated by minor reasons.
Ohio State University conducted a study with 52 Islamic extremists to find out what drove them. It turned out that the overwhelming motive behind the actions of modern terrorists is revenge. They wanted to punish the United States for supporting Israel or for its activities in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Researchers at Michigan State University went even further. They argue that most terrorists (usually young people) operate for adventure, women, camaraderie and status.