Document created: 25 March 02
Aerospace Power Journal - Spring 2002

COL ERIC ASH, EDITOR

The Revolution in Terrorism

The “World War III” that people have feared for 50 years is upon us. Terrorism is global. It is growing from terror tactics to terrorism as a strategy and from terrorist interests to terrorist ideology. This fundamental shift is revolutionary but not in the sense of a revolution in military affairs (RMA)- just the opposite. The terrorism revolution is anti-RMA or, more accurately, a countermilitary revolution. Terrorism works to eclipse military use of ultimate weapons like stealth aircraft, precision-guided munitions, and nukes. Instead, it uses nonweapons, other weapons of mass destruction, and high-octane media. In this setting, the Air Force is a key player in the world war to kill the terrorism revolution.

Terrorism has been around centuries longer than airpower. There are biblical and other religious references to terrorism. Early military history records how combatants employed terror tactics, and the long record of counterterrorism’s failure is not encouraging. Yet, never before in history have technologies existed as they do in today’s Air Force. The struggle is to make them effective against such a complex enemy.

The terrorism hydra is dialectic in nature. It has become both means and ends. It defies logic but is the epitome of logic- both a cognitive and affective parasite. It abuses emotion from zenith to nadir. Terrorism is both infinitely cheap and expensive. It can take on myriad forms and speeds. Currently, global terrorism blends the classical concepts of tactics, operations, and strategy. It adulterates military theory, art, and science; it is obscure in the writings of Clausewitz and Jomini but prevalent in those of Machiavelli and Douhet. It jams together attrition and annihilation. Ultimately, it is an ancient but now revolutionary new paradigm in warfare that requires genius to obliterate it. This enigmatic war portends an Armageddon between humankind and machine.

The most technologically sophisticated system in terms of chemistry, structure, and electrical synapses is still the human body. It is not ironic, therefore, that terrorism so inexorably hinges on human factors, and its hopeful demise will require not only victorious technologies, but also the steel of morality over nefarious martyrdom and cowardice. Thus, the role of airpower in the war on terrorism involves both the latest mechanistic technologies and the traditional human qualities of airmen.

Since its inception, airpower, in essence, has been linked to terrorism. Remember that initial observations of aircraft struck fear and terror into the hearts of the bewildered. Recall the terror bombings of cities like London during both world wars. Consider classic deterrence theory, which basically relies on the principle of terror- the deterred side in effect being terrorized while anticipating dire consequences of one act versus another. A fundamental state of terror from spring-loaded intercontinental aircraft and missiles may have kept the Cold War cool. As for today, readers need no reminding of the contemptible “airpower” used to spread terror to America this past September. Yet, military airpower’s impressive counterstrikes against terrorism are writing new history and, at the same time, raising new questions. What are the ways to use airpower other than fighting terror with terror? Hence, airpower can be venom or antidote, and quality airmen are paramount to the desired effects of the latter.

For airmen, the terrorism revolution has proliferated the fight. No longer are flyers the only ones in contact with the enemy, but all members of the force are directly in the fight and in harm’s way. Hence, the logistical “shaft of the spear” is now increasingly critical to the overall effort. This is why the two themes in this issue of Aerospace Power Journal- logistics and homeland security- have an appropriate and timely linkage. There is no way aerospace power can help extinguish global terrorism without a stalwart, efficient, and quick logistics infrastructure.

Just as airmen, sailors, marines, and soldiers are reacting with deadly effect wherever they are needed, so must the shaft of the spear engage with a great sense of urgency and commitment as “the force behind airpower and space power.” That force is technological and human. Both must come through to help exterminate the revolution in terrorism.

Disclaimer

The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author cultivated in the freedom of expression, academic environment of Air University. They do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, the United States Air Force or the Air University.

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