ABSTRACT
The imagery and language of war have always featured prominently in the writings and pronouncements of terrorists. From religious zealots, to secular nationalists, to revolutionary socialists, the allusions to war in the terrorist’s discourse are unmistakable. Indeed, the very names of many terrorist organisations conjure up martial imagery: Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades; Irish Republican Army; Red Hand Commandos; Red Army Faction; Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat; alQ’aeda (‘the Base’) – the list goes on. There is little doubt that most terrorists regard themselves as soldiers fighting a just war. That terrorists would wilfully choose to view themselves through the lens of war is hardly surprising; after all, the warrior is celebrated as a hero in almost all cultures whereas the criminal is universally reviled. However, the relationship between war and terrorism goes beyond simply the latter identifying with the former to bestow honour and legitimacy on otherwise brutal acts of violence. Terrorism is not a method that simply extracts meaning from the phenomenon of war; terrorism has emerged directly from it.
