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Suicidal Terrorists For Sale
September 22, 2007: Al
Qaeda was originally described as a group of well organized terrorists, who
were quick to use the latest technology and paid attention to logistics and
financial matters (fund raising, and staying on top of corruption). That's all generally true, but another area
of al Qaeda success is, well, human resources. Take, for example, the business
of recruiting suicide bombers. Al Qaeda recognizes that this is a "push/pull"
situation. Thus the "pull" (making suicide bombers heroic and attractive
figures) is done via emphasizing the martyr angle, and all the religious
connotations. This plays well in Islamic countries. Cash payments to the
families also adds to the allure. Still, most young men are not dumb enough to
fall for the offer to blow themselves up for the Love of God. And those that
can be tempted, often need some effort, by someone who is good at persuading
people to kill themselves. Further incentives are needed. Not for the suicide
bomber, but for the guy who recruits him. Thus it is common to pay finders fees
for those who bring in a suicide bomber recruit. In Algeria, the bounty
averages about $500 these days. Its less in countries where there are more
desperate, unemployed young men. It's more in countries where the economy is
booming. But the recruiter has an incentive, and the incentive works.
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