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Why Middle East Terrorists Are So Effective

Why Middle East Terrorists Are So Effective

While watching a popular movie about Middle East Terrorism the idea was portrayed that Middle Eastern Terrorists are so effective at what they do because they use an archaic system of communication and disguise. For instance the US or other modern countries will intercept Emails, track down wires, look for dress styles, meetings, and so forth using computers, camera surveillance, etc. However when you are in the desert the communication is by mouth to mouth, the dress more or less the same. Phone use is kept to a minimum. What are your thoughts about this, does living in the past make warfare difficult for the man living in the future?

Effective So Terrorists East Middle Why

The terrorists low tech communications are only effective because our intelligence agencies are being hampered in their ability to recruit and utilize criminals to spy on these terrorists. Well meaning Liberals have indicated in the past that we should not use criminals to infiltrate enemy camps, and our "ethics" have limited our ability to use human intelligence.

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CIA Official Confirms Ruddy Terror Exclusive

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If we can't pay and use "scumbags" for intelligence gathering we are limiting our ability to know what the terrorists on the ground are doing. Our ethics in this country are going to get us killed because we refuse to work with evil people to get rid of people who are arguably more evil.

Why Middle East Terrorists Are So Effective History & Civil Business Politics

It is interesting that you mention that since in the same film a Jordanian Intelligence Chief had to 'teach' the CIA Intelligence officer how to get a potential terrorist to work for them, it was not by torture, it was very different, it was basically by not giving them choices. When you torture someone they say anything so the pain can stop, then when you let them go they remember the torture and work more feverishly against you. Conversely, when you give a terrorist in a low tech environment limited choices then they do your bidding because it is no longer about them but the ones they also care about. In other words, the high tech cowboy tactics do not work - Russia learned that well within Afghanistan. It has been years now and the Taliban is GROWING in strength despite all the advanced equipment there from several high tech countries.

Effective So Terrorists East Middle Why

As Quoted by JB

But would you not agree that "high tech cowboy tactics" can be used effectively if they are used in tandem with low tech counter intelligence. I do not think that the United States should limit itself to one weapon, when it comes to stopping what they believe to be a legitimate threat.

Effective So Terrorists East Middle Why

Of course, I never said "never be used", but there is to be a balance and new strategy used when fighting low tech wars with hidden enemies. Sampler: In front of you there is a female dressed in hijab and gown. Could she be strapped with a bomb, knife, grenade? She seems friendly, does she 'look' friendly (can you even tell?), but how do you know for sure? Multiply that by thousands of women walking all around... who is the enemy? Cowboy tactics will not reveal the answer.

Why Middle East Terrorists Are So Effective

I would also note that in some of the wars in the past, we were not so discriminative on what we considered a terrorist. In WW2 for example, we carpet bombed a population and did not discriminate between a civilian and a soldier. If a Military base, complex or industry was in a populated area, we just bombed the heck out of the area, with little regard for the civilian population.

I am not sure how any intelligence low tech or high tech, could determine if a burka clad woman was wearing a bomb. Is there any way to counter an enemy who does not declare themselves, or who does not follow typical laws of war without becoming a vicious SOB in the process?

Why Middle East Terrorists So Effective

According to the movie there was a way - get 'them' to fight 'them' (see my first Post). Also, keep in mind that bombing or attacking an enemy as in an invasion is very different to being an occupier and living AMONG the same people you are over. The US is good at getting in and disabling an enemy, no one can argue that, however once there as an occupying force the US as would most any army, had great difficulty over control. The Nazis learned this the hard way with the French Resistance. It was easier to invade France than to hold on to it. The hold is often more difficult when the culture / standards is a vast contrast to the Occupier.