To Kill Hope? In Search of a Reliable Strategy to Fight Terrorism

Jewish Political Studies Review, Volume 29, Numbers 1–2

48 Pages Posted: 14 Mar 2016 Last revised: 18 Aug 2022

See all articles by Konstantin Yanovskiy

Konstantin Yanovskiy

Shomron Center for Economic Policy Research

Tim Ginker

Bank of Israel

Sergei Zhavoronkov

Gaidar Institute for Economic Policy

Ilia Zatcovetsky

Samuel Neaman Institute for Advanced Studies in Science and Technology

Date Written: March 10, 2016

Abstract

A panoply of anti-terrorism strategies were utilized in Israel throughout its history, beginning with Palestine under the British Mandate and continuing after the creation of the State of Israel to the present day. This history similar to international experience overall, and provides no basis to link terrorism with poverty or despair.

Nor does history suggest any reasonable expectation that terrorists will be appeased by concessions of any kind, whether transfer of funds or relinquishing territory to terrorist control. Neither statistical analysis nor the study of particular incidents support such a hypothesis.

The immediate and most obvious criterion of success for parties in mutual conflict is the control of new territory and its population, which allows terrorists freedom of movement and opportunities to try new terrorist technologies and take the initiative in dynamic situations. Loss of land and population, humiliating defeat, or ostentatious display of triumph by the enemy, in contrast, discourage both terrorist leaders and perpetrators, who would lose the posthumous reward typically promised them in the guise of prestige and income for their families.

Factual instances and statistical data provide evidence to support the hypothesis that terrorism is best put down by force. When opting for such a strategy, it is of critical importance that military personnel be provided with appropriate legal protection.

The supplementary materials for this paper may be found at http://ssrn.com/abstract=2747130.

Keywords: Hope, Government strategy, terrorist rationality, military justice

JEL Classification: D74, H56

Suggested Citation

Yanovskiy, Konstantin (Moshe) and Ginker, Tim and Zhavoronkov, Sergei and Zatcovetsky, Ilia, To Kill Hope? In Search of a Reliable Strategy to Fight Terrorism (March 10, 2016). Jewish Political Studies Review, Volume 29, Numbers 1–2, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2745935 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2745935

Konstantin (Moshe) Yanovskiy (Contact Author)

Shomron Center for Economic Policy Research ( email )

Kley Shir 8
Karney Shomron, 44855

Tim Ginker

Bank of Israel ( email )

Jerusalem, 91007
Israel

Sergei Zhavoronkov

Gaidar Institute for Economic Policy ( email )

3-5 Gazetny Lane
Moscow, 125009
Russia

Ilia Zatcovetsky

Samuel Neaman Institute for Advanced Studies in Science and Technology ( email )

Technion, Haifa 32000
Israel

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