The language of violent resistance: a discourse analysis of themes and narrations in terrorist-insurgent communications. How modern counterterrorism operations are interpreted by violent resistance groups in the Middle East

Abstract

This thesis critically examines how modern counterterrorism operations in the Middle East are interpreted by terrorist and insurgent groups and analyzes the rhetoric these groups use to justify and legitimize violent resistance. Drawing on the operations of the US in Afghanistan and Israel in Palestine, this thesis will remain geographically confined to the Middle East, focusing from 2001 to the present day. By thematically coding and analyzing 627 public statements from Hamas, Fatah, Al-Qaeda, and the Taliban, this study reveals consistent rhetorical themes in terrorist and insurgent communications, and the differing prominence among the groups. The findings highlight consistent themes such as (an opposition to) Foreign Occupation, Unmet/Unheard Grievances, Victimhood/Trauma, Collective Identity, Retaliation/Revenge, and a Need for Significance, among other less frequent themes. More importantly, it shows how such themes vary by group, urging for international actors (such as the US, Israel, and the international community such as the UN) to practice disaggregation and adapt counterterrorism/counterinsurgency frameworks that reflect such differences. By analyzing these operations and the subsequent terrorist and insurgent communications that followed, this study urges for a reevaluation of counterterrorism strategy. It advocates for approaching these groups with a willingness to engage and communicate, inclusion to the international political community, and ultimately addressing the core grievances that drive violent resistance as reflected in their language. This work contributes to a growing body of academia that sees violent resistance not solely a security problem, but as a multifaceted issue that requires a multi-layered approach rich in psychological, strategic, and socio-political theories.