What Influences Someone To Become A Terrorist:

What influences someone to become a terrorist?

When this question is posed, many people immediately begin to think of the accepted answers that include hatred, rebellion, or religious motivations, because many of these answers are simple and easily accepted.  However, what many fail to look at are the movitations of the average person who is recruited by a terrorist organization.  A terrorist organization must continue to recruit in order to operate.  Many of these organizations thrive in areas which are considered, by international groups, to be economically depressed.  For example, after the Soviet Union retreated from Afghanistan, the country was left in complete ruins with millions of Afghanis killed during the war. Eventually, civil war and the rise of the Taliban only further placed this country among the world's poorest. 

As the war on terrorism raged, the Taliban reversed their previous bans on the growth of the poppy plant and  began to use Afghanistan's poppy plants as a source of income.  In fact, according to Peter Bergen, Afghanistan was the source of 90 percent of the world's heroin.  During this time the U.S. tried to combat the production of these plants, however, the Taliban, with multiple sources of income, were able to pay their fighters $100 or more a month.  At the same time, an Afghani police officer could hope to make around $70 a month. During the same time period, farmers in Afghanistan could make up to twelve dollars a day producing poppy, where a tailor would need to work an entire month for the same amount of money (The Longest War).  Now, the Taliban and Al-Qaeda were able to use economics as a weapon.   

Currently, North Africa is being watched as a future "hotspot" of potential terrorist activity.  As we have learned from history, certain areas of North Africa resemble the model displayed in Afghanistan.  Well-funded terrorist organizations are using their power and influence to infiltrate areas where weak goverment, low economic status, and drugs exist.  People living in these areas have made statements welcoming anyone who will provide them with money and/or a better tomorrow.   As one can see, those who support terrorism, whether directly or indirectly, are often considered to be some of the poorest individuals on Earth.  As we continue to study terrorism and try to prevent it, we must become aware of the various ways in which terrorism receives power.  I hope you enjoyed reading this and maybe it has sparked an interest into the economics of terrorism.