Terrorism as a Strategic Communication Phenomenon

Abstract

At present, terrorism is still an ambiguous concept. The multiplicity of types and causes of terrorism is often neglected because of the similarity in the aftermath of terrorist acts. In addition, as ‘terrorism’ continues to reinvent itself, its ever-changing nature persists in puzzling academics around the world. Nevertheless, there are some common themes which have outlined the directions for terrorism research over the last decades. Most of them are applicable to particular aspects of the phenomenon rather than its holistic structure due to limitations, partly described above. In an attempt to present ‘terrorism’ as fully as possible, the present work focuses on its specifics as a communication approach. Through a detailed analysis of theoretical work and a comparative analysis of case study materials, the article demonstrates significant benefits in perceiving terrorism as a strategic communication concept. The positives of placing the phenomenon within this framework include, but are not limited to, the opportunity to examine the role of different actors, define their positions and aspirations, and account for both the rational and emotional aspects of their behavior. Using a classical set of tools for analyzing a communication process, the research provides a new approach towards understanding and countering terrorists’ activity in the future.