When Terrorists do the Talking

Reflections on Terrorist Literature

Bonnie Cordes

Expert InsightsPublished 1987

Much research has been done on what terrorists have done in the past and on identifying trends for predicting what they might do in the future. Less attention, however, has been given to terrorist motivations, mindset, or self-perceptions. Using primary materials such as memoirs, statements, interviews, and communiques, this paper, published in the December 1987 Journal of Strategic Studies, discusses how terrorists see themselves, what they think they are doing, and what they think their actions will accomplish. It also proposes a simple framework for a more systematic examination of the terrorists' view of themselves and their actions. The author considers two aspects of terrorists' communications: how they persuade, or intend to persuade, others (the "propaganda aspect") and how they persuade themselves (the "autopropaganda aspect").

Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Web Only
  • Year: 1987
  • Pages: 38
  • Document Number: P-7365

Citation

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Cordes, Bonnie, When Terrorists do the Talking: Reflections on Terrorist Literature. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1987. https://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P7365.html.
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