Democracy

Can anyone think of some conflicts where one side used terrorism, perhaps even justifiably to win a war?

The IRA in the 20’s. Up until that time the Irish would revolt against the British using conventional military tactics every generation or so.

They were often sold out to the British by spies within the ranks and unable to deal with the better trained British forces.

The IRA began targeting Irish that were working with the British for termination as a warning to others. It helped them eventually bring the British to the bargaining table

5 Responses

1. chapstick Says:
   May 16th, 2010 at 10:59 am

   During the American revolution, the american rebels fought in a guerrila style, which is used today by the ‘rebels’ we are fighting today. ironic eh..? strike and hide.

   but terrorism in the form of flying planes into a building full of 4000 innocent people, for reasons such as ‘my religion is better than yours’ will never be justifiable in my books. that’s just cowardly, lame, and attention-hungry.
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2. Nick Says:
   May 16th, 2010 at 11:31 am

   Algerian Revolution is a big one that I just learned about.

   You may want to put the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, because as they were retreating, they set fire to the oil wells (look up Fires of Kuwait)…. This is pretty relevant.

   A lot of the genocides in Africa have terrorism. Sierra Leone, Darfur – terrorism in my book.
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3. Brian Says:
   May 16th, 2010 at 11:37 am

   Terrorism isn’t meant to win a "war" its aim is to achieve a certain political means.

   Guerilla warfare is another story all together and there are many instances of guerilla warfare being successfully used against a superior force. (Vietnam, Panama, 1980s-Afghanistan, etc.)
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4. Bassam Says:
   May 16th, 2010 at 12:08 pm

   The Jewish population that migrated from Europe after World War II successfully launched terrorist attacks against the British, who at the time were occupying land that the European Jewish population was settling on. Jewish groups bombed a lot of targets, including the King David hotel, which eventually led to the British leaving the area. Terrorism can work, it worked for the Israeli’s, thats why the Palestinians think it will work for them.
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5. Fire on the mountain Says:
   May 16th, 2010 at 12:19 pm

   The IRA in the 20’s. Up until that time the Irish would revolt against the British using conventional military tactics every generation or so.

   They were often sold out to the British by spies within the ranks and unable to deal with the better trained British forces.

   The IRA began targeting Irish that were working with the British for termination as a warning to others. It helped them eventually bring the British to the bargaining table
   References :

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