ABSTRACT
This chapter finds that new terrorists are more violent, more demonstrative, more vengeful, and more ideological than old terrorists. It induces that new terrorists are likely to be more difficult than old terrorists as opponents in a negotiation. The chapter agrees that the act of taking hostages is strategic, and that strategic decisions, rather than random behaviors, are rational in the procedural sense—more so if the hostage-takers actually optimize their choices for more effectiveness. It focuses on tangible offers or trades that build a relationship whatever the perspectives of rationality. The chapter finds that new terrorists are more likely to be murderous and irreconcilable, and to take hostages just to lengthen the crisis before murder, rather than to exchange live hostages for anything. It also finds that new terrorists are more likely than old terrorists to be suicidal, and that suicidal terrorists are less likely to resolve a crisis peacefully.
