Psycho-Political Aspects of Suicide Warriors, Terrorism, and Martyrdom: A Critical View ...

***** Psycho-Political Aspects of Suicide Warriors, Terrorism, and Martyrdom: A Critical View from “Both Sides” in Regard to Cause and Cure. Jamshid A. Marvasti, M.D., editor; published by Charles C. Thomas, www.ccthomas.com (Web); 330 pages; $73.95.

This book is a collection of academic articles examining the psychiatric roots of terrorism, martyrdom, and suicide attacks. Taking an international, multicultural perspective, the book arrives at the core argument that violence breeds violence. To some, this might smack of moral relativism and an argument for appeasement. But editor Jamshid Marvasti, M.D., and his co-contributors examine the issue fairly and academically.

Marvasti himself was born and raised in Iran, dividing his medical education between schools there and in the United States. For more than three decades, he has practiced and taught psychiatry in Connecticut.

At the outset, Marvasti addresses the definitions of clinical suicide, suicide warrior, martyrdom, and the far more subjective term of “terrorism” relative to that of legitimate, moral war. Taking a critical view from both sides, Marvasti compares the Allied bombings of Dresden, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki during World War II with the 9-11 attacks. All resulted in the death of many innocent civilians.

The author notes that World War II attacks are accepted in the West as legitimate acts toward the goal of ending the war. At the same time, the West sees 9-11 as an act of terror and murderous cowardice, perpetrated without provocation by “Islamofascists.” The author notes that to Islamic fundamentalists and Arab nationalists, however, the 9-11 attacks were not without cause; they targeted Western financial and military targets in what they see as an ongoing war that began with the establishment of Israel in 1948.

Marvasti lists some of the major motivational elements for suicide warriors: invasion and occupation of their homeland or holy places, psychic trauma and dissociation, religion, poverty, perceived shame and despair, rage and revenge, and cultural support. These factors combine with the attacker’s perception that the only appropriate way to address grievances is through violence, using his or her body as a weapon.

Psycho-Political Aspects of Suicide Warriors, Terrorism, and Martyrdom is a study well worth reading for all security professionals. Readers may find some of the book’s ideas and findings abrasive. But no matter our personal views, we must be able to understand threats before we can identify and counter them.

Reviewer: Frederick D. “Rick” Arons, CPP, is president/CEO and cofounder of ACSI, Inc. (Analytical Consultants for Security and Investigations), specializing in corporate security investigations and threat analysis. He is a former member of the U.S. Army Special Forces and an expert in insurgency and counterinsurgency. He is a member of ASIS.