An Outline of the Most Superior Fundamentals in the Art of Kidnapping Americans
Abstract
Since the 1960s, hostage taking has been a standard part of the Middle Eastern non-state combatant's playbook. Place names such as Ma'alot and Entebbe bring to mind the near monopoly that Palestinian groups had over the hostage business in the years after 1967. Yet, as the PLO moved away from such operations, events in Mogadishu (1977), Iran (1979), Lebanon throughout (early-mid 1980s), and most recently the tragic kidnapping of Daniel Pearl and his murder in Pakistan (February 2002) have shown that hostage taking is a communicable concept. In particular, Islamic groups are increasingly abducting non-combatant citizens or political or military officials of opponent countries. The document translated here, originally posted to the Jihadist website Al-Palsam, highlights the need to remain vigilant of this threat even during the current war against terrorism. Along with scores of such web sites launched as quickly as interdicted by security services, it serves as a source of information, inspiration, and dialogue among a global community of technology-literate anonymous viewers and contributors advocating, though probably rarely undertaking, violent action against the West and Israel. They contain articles, essays, and increasingly complex tactical field manuals-how-to essays on bomb making or hostage taking-and justify violence through varying degrees of reference to Islam or Middle Eastern nationalist ideologies. As such, regardless of the affiliation of the web site or the individual author, most of the content of such sites are broadly supportive of al-Qa'ida, the Taliban, and Palestinian Islamist nationalism.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA524593
Entities
People
- Barak A. Salmoni
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School