What do you think that the hostage takers' goal is here? Are they actually trying to force anti-war protests, which were taking place anyway, to take place? Are they trying to actually stiffen the EU's resolve to stay in Iraq, so as to broaden their war against the West? Something else? Are they being remarkably stupid, or remarkably crafty?
Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000
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It seems crazy on the part of the terrorists. It can only alienate the very people who are protesting for their side. But then I guess we shouldn't be surprised when terrorists aren't very intelligent. The surprising and disturbing thing is when people who clearly ARE intelligent take to terrorism.
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What's going to be interesting to see is if the terrorists force Europe to involve itself in a more material way in the WoT.
Posts: 13123 | Registered: Feb 2002
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I don't know that it is crazy. If, no matter what Italy decides to do, they release the other hostages, then more people may feel sorry for the terrorists or feel a small degree of empathy. Kidnapping, making horrific threats (like burning them alive) and then releasing the victims could be savvy. Kidnapping and killing is alienating.
Posts: 1034 | Registered: Mar 2004
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quote:What's going to be interesting to see is if the terrorists force Europe to involve itself in a more material way in the WoT.
Exactly Storm. I think that that's a likely response to the hostage taker's tactic. The question is, is that their intention?
Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000
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I don't follow Storm, why not? I'm not saying that that definitely is what they're doing, but it doesn't make sense to me to automatically discount the possibility.
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