Soft power cannot defeat terrorism if recruitment outpaces killing

Evidence

Extreme retaliatory attacks that cause widespread death and destruction may advance the terrorists’ political cause by arousing a backlash of sympathy for innocent victims and moral condemnation of brutal attacks. Fighting terrorism with morally undisciplined force can also generate a ready supply of recruits prepared to die for their cause, even by suicidal actions. In addition, brutal means also provide new justifications for violence that escalate terrorism rather than diminish it. Indeed, some terrorist activities are strategically designed to win worldwide support and to provoke governments by breeding public disaffection with the system. In these various ways, extreme countermeasures can play into the hands of terrorists. — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 2276 (#expands, via linked claim)

The Iraqi president nominated Haider al-Abadi as the new prime minister under vigorous protest by Nouri al-Maliki (Morris, 2014). As a first step toward establishing an inclusive government, Abadi has to win the trust of Sunnis and assimilate them into the political system so that they will have a stake in the life of the nation. Were the new government to achieve this reform, it would erode Sunni support for the Sunni extremists and remove the sociopolitical conditions necessary for the evolution of future insurgencies. — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 2499 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Brutal counterterrorism can backfire by recruiting and legitimizing the enemy — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement: How People Do Harm…, 2276; Demonstrating destructive power attracts recruits to terrorist organizations; Heavy-handed counterterrorism backfires by generating sympathy and recruits for terrorists (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• Brutal counterterrorism can backfire by recruiting and legitimizing the enemy #expands (0.95) — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 2276
• Heavy-handed counterterrorism backfires by generating sympathy and recruits for terrorists #expands (0.95)
• Inclusive political power-sharing undermines insurgent recruitment. #complicates (0.85) — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 2499