What do terrorists hope to achieve?

[oldnitro]

Do the Muslim terrorists have any sort of agenda or are they just enthralled with the love of killing? I know they have a deep hatred of all things western but even the most strident of their lunatic clerics must realize they can`t convert the world to Islam.

[ludwig]

In theory terrorists have some kind of cause they're fighting for. That's what they'll tell you.

In actual fact terrorism is what some people resort to when they realise there's no way they're going to get what what they want. It's an act of revenge rather than a means to achieve anything.
'I can't have my way? Right then, I'm going to start killing people - then you'll be sorry'.

So to answer the question, I think they're just hoping to kill as many of the people they hate as possible.

[CanisMajor]

Islam wants to slay or convert the infidel, their aim is world wide Islam.

[Graham-W]

One mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter.
The Lybian rebels are terrorists in the eyes of Gadaffi. They see themselves as freedom fighters, fighting oppression.
Was Che Guevara a terrorist or freedom fighter?
They all have a CAUSE. If they win they are freedom fighters. If they lose...........

[keyplus90]

ASk Americans, usually directly or indirectly they (CIA) are behind almost any sorts of terrorist activities. After all their biggest trade depends upon unrest in the world.

[CanisMajor]

So the CIA did 911/London/Bali/Madrid etc did they?

[keyplus90]

Its not who did it. Its who got it done.

[wildwood]

The one who 'got it done' is now sharkfood.

[oldnitro]

redhelen, the saying goes.. Not all Muslims are terrorists, but nearly all terrorists are Muslims. so I guess they are the prime suspects.

[oldnitro]

Keyplus, that`s the sort of outlook that will ensure that terrorism will continue well into the future. It`s the old ...Us against the world.. syndrome, usually the result of a massive inferiority complex.

[cupid04]

If the muslim hate all things western why do the men wear all westernised
clothes but make their women cover themseves from head to toe.

[dtgblue]

freedom from united fans everybody hates them.

[tamborine]

Islam is male dominated control of females & children.

Western culture dissipates male control in place of respect.

[tamborine]

Keyplus, if you had any evidence of your CIA accusation am sure you would have shown it.

Spurious accusations are cowardly considering the lives lost @ 9/11 & 7/7.

[emmie]

cupid, don't take that route, arguing over it seems to get us nowhere.
yesterdays post proved that. Terrorist don't just kill westerners, in London bus, trains, 52 dead were from all backgrounds, colours, religion, its the indiscriminate nature of it, disruption, havoc, but we got back on our feet, you have to prove you are not going to be beaten by these people, and they won't win, no matter what.

[jomifl]

There are 2 ways to have the world 100% islam..
1. Convert all the unbelievers
2. Kill all the unbelievers

[emmie]

London has had more than its fair share i would say of terrorist activity, bombings by the IRA, Muslim Fanatics, these are vile acts of murder, not some freedom fighters ideology, 8th July London was back in business, more or less. Same as anywhere, you can't let the bstards win.

[Backdrifter]

Are there stats on % of all known terrorists that are muslim? I wondered where the "most terrorists are muslims" claim was from.

Regardless of whether a terrorist is muslim or not, I think that in fact they aren't necessarily setting out to kill, although that often is part of what they do, but to ultimately disrupt a society. The act of (usually mass) killing is the trigger, and what they really want is to sit back and watch that society become confused and scared. TERROR-ists - they want to spread fear, suspicion and mistrust. When people were being detained for taking photos of St Paul's Cathedral, terrorists must have rubbed their hands with delight.

I agree with ludwig that they are not trying to change that society to act in accordance with their beliefs, they realise that won't happen so set out to destabilise it as much as possible. Of course, you can't rule out that some of them will enjoy the act of killing regardless of any wider aim.