Why are abstract reasoning skills, and knowledge of international history, important in understanding and combating terrorism? What are your views?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

• Modern terrorism is an abstract, nebulous concept, which fluctuates according to historical and political circumstances.
• To combat terrorism, security forces require groups of people with abstract reasoning skills, knowledge of international politics and history, and specialized expertise in particular regions.
• If the police are to participate as full partners in this process, they must bring skilled specialists to the table.
• The philosophy behind policing, however, rejects this logic.
• American law enforcement relishes pragmatic information with immediate applicability on the beat.
• Localized attitudes bring contempt from intelligence agencies.
• Unlike analysts in defense intelligence, state and local police officers frequently exhibit no concern for in-depth background information, the kind of information needed to understand intelligence.
• As a result, intelligence bureaucracies frequently question police competence. Intelligence analysts know information is not usually valuable until it is categorized and placed within social and political contexts.
• If police agencies are unable to engage in this type of examination, intelligence organizations are hesitant to form partnerships with them.
• These factors present enormous problems as the DHS tries to create a network of information.