Question

One danger of harsh crackdowns on groups associated with terrorism is that repression may lead to new resentments and further violence. Is there a way out of this cycle?

Answer 1

It is true that harsh crackdowns on groups associated with terrorism can lead to new resentments and further violence. But it is possible for us to break the cycle in terms of the incentive structures one can create in order to prevent terrorism in the future. Targeted crackdowns as compared to blanket crackdowns is also something that should be considered since blanket crackdowns generally affect the whole community while targeted crackdowns like banning arm sales and freezing foreign bank accounts is something that directly hurts the aggressor. Reinvesting in the community after destruction in order to provide them access to opportunities to break out of poverty is also extremely important since inequality and poverty are one the major causes that youth turn towards terrorism as a porspect. The solution is to make terrorism less attractive as an opportunity by providing better opportunities to them.