Blog Post 6: Force Multipliers

According to Jonathan White, force multipliers are used by terrorists to increases striking power without increasing the strength of a unit. This would mean that force multipliers could create the illusion of higher strength. There are four force multipliers: technology, media, transnational support and religion. Technology can increase the power of a terrorist unit in many ways. Some of the ways it would be done is through cyberterrorism and the use of weapons of mass destruction. According to White, cyberterrorism refers to the use of computers to attack technological targets or physical attacks on computer networks. Weapons of mass destruction would be biological agents, chemical and radiological weapons. Biological weapons allow terrorists to kill people with poisons, toxins, viruses, bacteria and plagues. Chemical weapons are nerve agents, blood agents, choking agents and blistering agents. Radiological weapons can produce burns, contamination and health problems. The most feared of all radiological weapons are nuclear weapons. Robert Earl and Norman Emery say that advanced technology has made the world more transparent, creating a global ‘fishbowl’, where even local events can have international influences.

To increase striking power through manipulation of images terrorists use the media. These images are used to try and build sympathy for their cause. Terrorists try to portray themselves as freedom fighters fighting against oppression. Paul Wilkinson says terrorists try to multiply force through communication. Terrorists seek to send messages through the media because it serves as a psychological weapon. These messages will attempt to demonize their enemies, which can create the illusion that the terrorists are the good guys. If this can be done, they can rally support for their cause and more people will join them. The influence through the media can make terrorists a more powerful threat.

Transnational support or transnational operations are used to increase striking power by attacking economic systems. If terrorists attack targets that are tied closely to the international economy, they can strike a huge blow for their cause. Tourism attractions are populated with many people and produce a lot of money for the economy. If these areas were attacked, it would cause the death of many people and result in a loss of money for the economy. The reasons for this are: the damages to the area, the loss of lives and fear that goes with that loss. People will not want to go back to this place for fear of death. The attack can be done by a small group of terrorists and result in a huge lost for the international economy.

Religion being used in conflict is by no means a new concept. But, it has become a big factor in terrorism today. Terrorism today is about cleansing the planet because it is corrupt. There is a global jihad movement that calls for all Muslims to rise up and fight against this corrupt world. Terrorists utilize this call through suicide bombing. The people that do this believe that they are sacrificing themselves for a greater cause, which would make them martyrs and strengthen the cause they fight for. Suicide attacks fueled by religious fanaticism are intimidating. Intimidation is something that is favored by terrorists. According to Jonathan White, it can penetrate secure targets with a good chance of success. These attacks provide for high casualties and publicity. White says suicide bombers give terrorist groups maximal control over the attack.

Force multipliers and its ability to increase striking power is an important tool used by terrorists to achieve their goals. Terrorists use them to show strength that isn’t really there in numbers. Terrorists very rarely attack in a huge force. They are usually small cells that infiltrate an area and attack. By using force multipliers, they create the image of a huge force that can strike from anywhere. This can create fear, which is a great weapon. Fear creates panic and makes one lose focus. This allows terrorists to easily pick their targets and attack from where ever they like.


Works Cited: Earl and Emery, Norman E. Terrorist Approach to Information Operations. Naval Postgraduate School. Monterey, CA. 2003

White, Jonathan R. Terrorism and Homeland Security. Wadsworth Cengage Learning, Belmont, CA 2009.

Wilkinson, Paul. (1997). “The Media and Terrorism: A Reassessment.” Terrorism and Political Violence 9 (Summer).