NCJ Number
100725
Date Published
1986
Length
147 pages
Annotation
This book profiles earlier and recent terrorists involved in skyjacking, analyzes terrorist tactics and countermeasures used in specific skyjackings, and recommends policy for dealing with terrorism.
Abstract
Based on interviews with terrorists as well as crew members and passengers involved in skyjackings, cultural conceptual differences are clearly revealed. Conditioned by particular religious concepts and cultural values for status and achievement, terrorists view the skyjacking scenario as a drama that can fulfill the highest expectations of their religion and culture. The hostages, on the other hand, are pawns in the drama and view the terrorists as highly trained, ruthless, and fanatical, with no allegiance to the moral principles and laws embraced by Western culture. Terrorism must be countered through an analysis of the terrorist's concepts, motivation, and training. Countermeasures should focus on terrorist vulnerabilities, refusing terrorists' demands, punishing specific terrorists for criminal acts, gathering intelligence, and using elite units to respond promptly and expertly to terrorist incidents.