In 2004, the punk-rock band Green Day released the song American Idiot. Written in the aftermath of the Iraq War, the song makes reference to the general political atmosphere of the time – the incessant television coverage, jingoism, the so-called ‘redneck agenda’, the propagandistic-style of journalism and the ‘sound of hysteria’. They succinctly describe this as the ‘age of paranoia.’
The song made some valid points with one slight exception: the government of the United States and the ‘new media’ cannot be blamed for all the mass hysteria. Indeed, 12 years after the release of this song, it is now quite clear that terrorism is to blame for the new age of paranoia. In creating this state of paranoia, it is slowly, but surely reaching its intended aims.
When boarding an American Airlines flight to Syracuse the esteemed economics professor, Guido Menzio, had no idea of the ordeal he was about to experience. Rather than proceed with take-off, the plane was taken back to the gate and Menzio was asked to disembark.
He was questioned over what he was writing on his notepad; something which raised the suspicion of the person who occupied the seat next to his. The panic-stricken passenger assumed that he was plotting an act of terror. The befuddled professor had to embarrassingly point out that he was attempting to solve a differential equation.
Perhaps, this episode would elicit a small chuckle where it not for the fact that similar episodes have been reported with alarming frequency.
In two other separate incidents, an Iraqi student had to be removed from a plane after some passengers overheard him having a conversation in Arabic whilst two men on a flight to Philadelphia were not allowed to board their flight because fellow passengers felt uneasy about flying with them.
These episodes uncover some trends which can be quite alarming. Firstly, there seems to be a general distrust in the response to terrorism. Secondly, many who fit a certain racial and ethnic profile seem to have become suspects – indeed, they are perceived to be guilty until proven innocent.
The response to terrorism is often fronted by sombre looking politicians. A pattern seems to have emerged. After an attack takes place, there is a predictable chorus of condemnation and solidarity whilst candles and flowers are placed in makeshift shrines. Then, the names, stories and photos of the injured and the dead emerge; a heart-wrenching moment which gives a human face to the devastating tragedy. This seems to trigger off another reaction; the solidarity and sorrow expressed by politicians begin to appear as nothing but an empty and meaningless cliché.
The lines of demarcation between fear, paranoia and threat have become blurred and almost indistinguishable
Then, there are the defiant calls for normal life to go on as usual and to avoid succumbing to the fear of terrorism. This is, of course, a laudable sentiment; however, in the face of a constant threat, one can also understand the sense of fear and uneasiness that prevails.
Nor can one say that life goes on as it did before. For the victims, that life is over. The survivors have to deal with their injuries and citizens must also contend with a new reality: greater surveillance, added security checks and the presence of armed officers patrolling the streets. The lines of demarcation between fear, paranoia and threat have become blurred and are now almost indistinguishable.
The forms of terrorism spreading across the globe are different from previous expressions of terror. The threat now comes from individuals whose allegiance is to a group which espouses non-negotiable aims. Although these cells have one common aim, they seem to operate independently from any central command.
There seem to be multiple reasons why such youths – for most of them are in their early 20s – subscribe to such a worldview. There is no decipherable strategy nor is there any pattern to the frequency or occurrence of the attacks. They are thriving in seemingly disenfranchised communities and are protected by strong familial and social bonds.
The target is not a particular nation or government. A cursory look at the latest targets of terrorism reveals that they have not chosen official buildings in centres of power. Rather, they opt for public places teeming with commuters, shoppers and people going about their daily lives. The aggressor wears no distinctive badge; he thrives by stealth and surprise, and is strengthened by his apparent anonymity.
Paradoxically, we seem to know a lot about the ideas of these would-be attackers. The strategy adopted by terrorists is now well known and so is the world-view they subscribe to. Isis has published Dabiq – a widely accessible online English-language magazine - since 2014 whilst Al Qaeda’s branch in the Arabian Peninsula has published a similar publication, titled Inspire, since 2010. These provide vital sources of information on the constructed narratives of such organisations.
We can also identify the environment within which such organisations thrive. Many come into contact with such groups over the internet. They are aided by Wahhabi mosques (many funded by Saudi Arabia) and fundamentalist preachers – many already known to the authorities.
In the peripheries of the continent, they thrive in vacuums of power which currently exist in Libya, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and the Caucasus. This creates a conundrum for decision makers since it essentially transforms terrorism into a challenge on several fronts.
In light of all this, citizens need to ask some uncomfortable questions and to expect some equally uncomfortable answers; is the religious and political narrative espoused by the terrorists being engaged with? Are counter-terrorism measures instilling confidence? Are our civil rights and freedoms being eroded in the name of counter-terrorism? Have there been intelligence failures?
Terrorism has been successful in altering our daily patterns and in instilling an air of suspicion and paranoia and citizens deserve a coherent response to their anxieties. Responding to these concerns with platitudes will do nothing but incense this fear and paranoia.
andre.deb@gmail.com
André DeBattista holds degrees in public policy and international relations. He is a member of the Political Studies Association (UK) and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.