[CondoleezzaProtege]

Despite Western Society’s skewed perception, terrorism did not even originate in the Middle East. The word ‘Terrorism” originates from the reign of the post-French Revolution reign of the Jacobins; the Jacobins would guillotine their opposition in order to maintain their control over French Society (1793-1794). Today’s definition of “Terrorism” originated from the actions of Russian Anarchist Revolutionaries. During the late 1800s, the People’s Will tried to assert a ‘blow to the center’ of the Russian Tsar regime by assassinating Tsar Alexander II. Beyond assassinations and attacks, the People’s Will gained attention and support through an intensive propaganda machine. The People’s Will embraced a culture of self-sacrifice and emphasized that group members willing to die for the cause were martyrs and heroes. Since the late 1800s, terrorist groups have used the methods, targets, propaganda, and ideological framework of the early Russian revolutionaries. The primary and secondary sources below provide greater insight into the impact of Early Russian Terrorism. These sources demonstrate that ‘terrorism’ was not created by the Quran, but rather adopted by weak groups trying to damage stronger powers. In addition these sources assert that the techniques seen today- by groups like Al Qaeda-originated in Russia."

On December 24 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. The Soviet Union’s actions in Afghanistan demonstrated that they wanted to transform Afghanistan into a Communist State and exploit Afghanistan for their resources. The USSR tore through Afghanistan destroying infrastructure, killing civilians, and instituting Soviet policies. The Soviet aggression caused the United States to create a covert action program that was designed to radicalize the Mujahideen Muslims against the Soviets. When the Soviets finally pulled out in February 1989, Afghanistan was socially, economically, and physically decimated. The weakness of the Afghan government allowed extremists and terrorists to enter the country and gain power. The Soviet imperialism provided terrorist groups like Al Qaeda with an inspiration and impetus for their actions against ‘colonial tyrants.’ The invasion left a lasting impression on the infrastructure of Afghanistan and paved the way for the proliferation of Radical Islamic Terrorist Groups.

- Kerrin Sperry, Boston University

[Freedomlibertyjustice]

Both authors (Oliver and Sperry) are wrong. The Soviet-Afghan war did not “create a new era of wars and terrorism...” The modern era of war and terrorism started in 1979 when Islamic militants stormed the US embassy in Iran and Carter folded. This was followed by hijackings and bombings by Muslim terrorists around the globe.

The etymology of the word “terrorism” notwithstanding, jihadists made a spectacle of lopping off the heads of bound captives centuries before the French Revolution.

Jihadists have been at war with everyone else since the 8th century. Neither the Russians, French, or Americans are to blame for that.

[Paladin2]

There's a juxtaposition...

[McGruff]

The hijackers in the September 11 attacks were 19 men affiliated with al-Qaeda. 15 of the 19 were citizens of Saudi Arabia, and the others were from the United Arab Emirates (2), Egypt, and Lebanon

[Monterrosa-24]

Afghanistan should never be referred to as a small country. It is huge. Even El Salvador, which is slightly larger than Massachusetts, offered guerrilla forces vast territory to hide and long international borders to retreat across. Afghanistan is about the size of Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia combined.