On Extremism

Inspired by recent events in Israel and abroad, I’d like to write about extremism. Let’s try to understand how extremists think — whatever their particular version of fanaticism happens to be.

What we must understand is that for extremists, regardless of their ideology, they aren’t extremists at all. They are doing the right thing – be it for God, for their leader, even their own conviction. We call these people extremists or radicals because they are on the fringes of society. Sometimes in history — look at the Nazi regime, for example — what were once extremists on the fringes of society, people not taken seriously, take over the mainstream.

What happens then? Well, the people who were condemning the Nazis in the early stages as extremists became the extremists in the eyes of the official policy of the state.

Extremism is determined by contrast. What we call extremism today, sadly, can become mainstream tomorrow if left unchallenged. It’s vital to understand that radicals of all kinds are often true believers and they see us as impure, or whatever. Extremists target the rest of society because they are encouraged to do so, indeed, they might even believe it’s their duty. They don’t see themselves as evil. On the contrary, they are the good guys, the warriors of the light, or whatever else they happen to call themselves.

Wouldn’t a woman wanting to study religious texts be considered an extremist in some circles? Exactly.

If we try to reason with extremists by applying our logic, we’re bound to fail. Understanding their thinking is vital if we’re to have a chance at thought-reforming them. I believe hostage negotiators try to find out as quickly as they can if they are dealing with a psychopath, as then appeals to humanity, and any kind of decency or mercy, go out the window. We need to have a similar approach when dealing with extremists. We’ve got to keep in mind they are blinded by the belief that they are doing the right thing and our appeals to reason won’t work.

All we can do is use their language and thinking against them. And even then, as an example of what I call the Z-Cult shows, there’s no guarantee we’re going to succeed. Indeed, be it Z-Cult, Hamas, jihadis, doomsday cults, and so on – their ideology differs but the underlying fanaticism is the same. Can they be reasoned with? Sometimes, the only reasoning these people and groups understand is brute force.

Maybe, maybe, if a leader of such a group were to be discredited in some way – exposed as a traitor who was ”flipped” by the enemy or humiliated, maybe then the morale of a given group would collapse and they would be open to thought-reform. Hard to tell.

One thing we know for sure: harsh words of condemnation so beloved by diplomats mean nothing and only amuse them. Rather than boast, which shows weakness rather than strength in the eyes of extremists, better to work in silence and strike when they don’t or least expect it, leaving them shocked and exposed.

And Israel is damn good at that.