Bruce Hoffman
Bruce Hoffman
Bruce Hoffmanis a political analyst known for his views on terrorism and insurgency. He is the Director of the Center for Security Studies and Director of the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University's Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service. He is a specialist in the study of terrorism and counterterrorism and insurgency and counter-insurgency...
suicide mass-destruction perception
With the exception of weapons of mass destruction, there is no other type of attack that is more effective than suicide terrorism. The perception is that it's impossible to guard against.
impossible coincidence turnaround
It could be coincidence. It's an extraordinarily short turnaround it's impossible to say at this point.
struggle knowing understanding
One of the problems with the kill-or-capture metric is that it has often been to the exclusion of having a deeper, richer understanding of the movement, its origins, and our adversaries' mindset. The nuances are absolutely critical. Our adversaries are wedded to the ideology that informs and fuels their struggle, and, by not paying attention, we risk not knowing our enemy.
assess clear full lack picture
Because we still lack a clear picture of the insurgency, we can't assess the full import of this development.
impossible knowing speculate tempting
It's enormously tempting to speculate ... without knowing where he is, it's impossible to say.
chinese enemy sun win
It's like Sun Tzu, the Chinese strategist, said years ago. Only if you know your enemy can you win the battle.
card trump
They are the terrorists' trump card -- and our Achilles' heel.
ability both citizens coalition confidence forces gap government insurgent iraqi maintain order protect public represent security undermine violence whether
These kidnappings represent a significant gap in the country's security and undermine public confidence in the ability of both Iraqi government and coalition forces to maintain order and protect Iraqi citizens from violence - whether insurgent or criminal.
against attached becomes catharsis david married striking weak
And that becomes the justification or the rationale for violence. Often attached to that or married to that is the catharsis of violence, in other words, the satisfaction they feel of the David against a Goliath, the weak striking out against the powerful.
deterred
It could be that because we were vigilant, because we were on guard, because of the warnings we issued, it deterred the terrorists,
impossible short turnaround
It could be coincidence. It's an extraordinarily short turnaround it's impossible to say at this point.
against fight insurgent pervasive unseen
That's the insurgent strategy, this pervasive insecurity. You can't fight against an unseen enemy.
guys
We may actually have 24 or 25 guys when it's all said and done,