Political Dimensions of Terrorism

A two-day policy-making forum called “Terrorism, Security and America’s Purpose: Towards a More Comprehensive Strategy” was held to mark the fourth anniversary of the September 11 attack. Robert Kuttner moderated a panel titled “The Grievance Challenge: Confronting the Political Dimensions of Terrorism.” Members of the panel said that suicide terrorism was not a product of Islamic fundamentalism, but the sustained presence of Western combat forces on the Arabian Peninsula. Following their remarks, the panelists responded to questions and comments from members of the audience.

The panelist included: Robert Pape, Professor, University of Chicago and Author, Dying to Win: The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism; Nir Rosen, Author “Letter from Falluja,” The New Yorker and Fellow, New America Foundation; Yosri Fouda, Senior Investigative Reporter and London Bureau Chief, Al-Jazeera; Interviewer of al Qaeda leaders Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and Ramzi Binalshibh; and Co-author, Mastermi close