NCJ Number
63280
Journal
Military Review Volume: 38 Issue: 2 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1959) Pages: 93-99
Date Published
1959
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE DIGEST OF A 1958 ARTICLE BY A FRENCH ARMY COLONEL CONTENDS THAT URBAN TERRORISM TRIES TO CONQUER THE MINDS OF CITIZENS DURING TRANSITIONAL PERIODS BETWEEN THE 'COLD WAR' AND THE 'HOT WAR.'
Abstract
IN THE PAST, PROFESSIONAL SOLDIERS FOUGHT WARS DURING SHORT-LIVED PERIODS OF INTENSE CONFLICT. HOWEVER, AS EVOLUTION OF WEAPONS AND TACTICS DREW ENTIRE NATIONS INTO WARS, THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF WARFARE BECAME MORE APPARENT. SINCE 1940, ADVERSARIES HAVE DELIBERATELY INVOLVED ENTIRE POPULATIONS IN CONFLICTS IN ORDER TO BOTH CONVERT HOSTILE PERSONS TO THEIR RESPECTIVE IDEOLOGIES AND PUT OPPOSING FIGHTERS UNDER MENTAL PRESSURE. LIKEWISE URBAN TERRORISTS STRIVE TO INFLUENCE THE POPULATION WHICH IS CONTROLLED BY THE ENEMY GOVERNMENT. IDEOLOGICAL CONQUEST INVOLVES AN INITIAL PHASE DURING WHICH THE POPULATION BECOMES INDIFFERENT TOWARD ESTABLISHED AUTHORITIES AND NEUTRAL TOWARD THE TERRORISTS AND A SECOND PHASE DURING WHICH THE TERRORISTS FIND HELPERS FROM WITHIN THE POPULATION. THE TERRORISTS' OPERATIONS AND GOALS ARE SUCCESSFUL IF THE ESTABLISHED GOVERNMENT FAILS TO CONTROL THE TERRORISTS AND FAILS TO MAINTAIN THE CONFIDENCE OF THE POPULATION. AS POLICE AND MILITARY FORCES LEAVE THE PEOPLE UNDEFENDED, THE POPULATION BECOMES READY PREY FOR THE TERRORISTS' PROMISES OF PROTECTION BY AN AUTHORITARIAN LEADER. TYPICAL FEATURES OF A TERRORIST CAMPAIGN INCLUDE THE USE OF PROPAGANDA, THE SMUGGLING OF ARMS, AND A REQUIREMENT OF INITIAL SUCCESS. COUNTERACTION MUST INVOLVE PREVENTING ESCAPES BY TERRORISTS AND MAINTAINING POPULAR SUPPORT. (TWK)