Bin Laden is also bitterly opposed to the corrupt and repressive

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the motivations behind the 9/11 attacks, exploring whether these motivations are primarily religious, economic, or a combination of factors. Participants examine the roles of cultural identity, political grievances, and the influence of Western policies in the Middle East.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that Bin Laden's opposition to U.S. support for corrupt regimes and the Israeli occupation is a significant motivation behind the attacks.
  • Others argue that terrorism itself is an action rather than a motivation, emphasizing a sense of outrage against the U.S. as a driving force for the attackers.
  • A participant questions the notion that religious beliefs are the primary motivator, citing examples of secular groups like the Tamil Tigers and the varied backgrounds of the hijackers.
  • Another viewpoint highlights the economic implications of religious beliefs, suggesting that economic disparities and the concentration of wealth contribute to motivations for violence.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the motivations behind the attacks, calling for a more thorough investigation into the factors involved.
  • One participant posits that the loss of cultural identity due to Western influence and consumerism may be a root motivation for the terrorist movement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the motivations behind the 9/11 attacks, with multiple competing views remaining. Some emphasize religious motivations, while others focus on economic and cultural factors.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity of motivations and the lack of definitive evidence to support any single theory. The discussion reflects a range of perspectives without resolving the underlying uncertainties.

  • #31


Nusc said:
... would you say that the motivation behind 9/11 is based on religious or economics means?
It's based on the fact that lots of people are angry at, or even hate, the US.
 
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  • #32


In my opinion, the motivation of 9/11 is simple. The US is the protector of the Saudi King. Bin Laden has been trying to overthrow the King for a long time. He attacks the King's protector. Makes perfect sense to me.

I agree that religion is just an excuse. On the other hand, to say that the motivation of 9/11 is terrorism is beyond silly.
 
  • #33


wildman said:
In my opinion, the motivation of 9/11 is simple. The US is the protector of the Saudi King. Bin Laden has been trying to overthrow the King for a long time. He attacks the King's protector. Makes perfect sense to me.

I agree that religion is just an excuse. On the other hand, to say that the motivation of 9/11 is terrorism is beyond silly.

Those damn terrorists are just silly.
 
  • #34


drankin said:
Those damn terrorists are just silly.

They wouldn't be dangerous if they were silly. They know what they are doing. Hey! 9/11 got rid of Saddam Hussein who Bin Laden hated. I would say 9/11 was quite effective.
 
  • #35


wildman said:
They wouldn't be dangerous if they were silly. They know what they are doing. Hey! 9/11 got rid of Saddam Hussein who Bin Laden hated. I would say 9/11 was quite effective.

Your theory is that the motivation behind the attacks was because US protects the Saudi king.

Why not just run planes into the Saudi king? Or would that be silly?

Regardless of why Binboy wanted to strike at the US, he had to convince a bunch of chumps to sacrifice themselves in order to accomplish it. This is an important point because that is the tool that's being used. He didn't tell them to obliterate themselves because the US protects the Saudi king. These guys weren't complete idiots. They flew airliners.

The objective was to cause destruction against a society. Regardless of the role that the individuals targeted played. The West refers to this as "terrorism". If we didn't call it that, we could just call it "warfare". It would be more appropriate IMO. Hence, the war on "terror". Pretty vague thing to declare war on but if they didn't call it that they would have to call it a war on Islamic Extremeism (which is still pretty vague)... and very unpolitically correct.
 
  • #36


wildman said:
I agree that religion is just an excuse. ...
That's misinformation wildman. Bin Laden and his followers are fanatically religious.
 
  • #37


mheslep said:
That's misinformation wildman. Bin Laden and his followers are fanatically religious.

I agree. I believe that most jihadists believe they are doing God's work although I'm sure there are some opportunists or those with personal scores to settle in the mix. But al Qaeda is not apocalyptic afaik. They have 'earthly' objectives.They want to restore the Caliphate. What worries me more is if enough of the ruling oligarchy of Iran has an apocalyptic view such that they would launch a nuclear attack against Israel and accept the retaliation.

http://www.iran-press-service.com/articles_2001/dec_2001/rafsanjani_nuke_threats_141201.htm

This report dates from 14 Dec, 2001. On 30 Dec IPS reported that this was not Iran's policy although I don't know how much value we should place on that.

http://www.iran-press-service.com/articles_2001/dec_2001/israel_iran_nule_threat_301201.htm
 
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