ABSTRACT
The linkage between terrorism and the pandemic has deep roots in faith and history. For centuries conflicts have been associated with disease and vice versa. Pandemics and wars revolve around each other like binary stars. This chapter contends that ever since the Middle Ages pandemics have been accompanied and followed by civil disobedience, social unrest, protests, riots, increases in violent crime, rebellions, and war. In many cases this led to political instability and the overturn of rule. The various complex effects of past plagues may be immediate or become apparent years later. Jenkins suggests that some effects may appear to be direct consequences of the upheaval caused by the pandemic, whereas others may appear over a longer term. Popular resistance to restrictions like curfews, social control, and health requirements imposed by the authorities is definitely growing. Brief increases in violent crime may be common. In general, pandemics expose or reinforce existing problems: poor governance, societal divisions, prejudices, inequality, corruption. Existing social and political cleavages intensify. Without doubt, pandemics leave behind a legacy of disorder, desperation, and defiance. Political violence in various forms may increase. This also concerns terrorism.
