Islamic terrorism is hardly the most frequently mentioned kind of terrorism in newsreels nowadays. Predatorily spread nostrils of the detained and suspect terrorists could feature not only their oriental descent but to terrify a law-abiding WASP philistine of “the home of the brave” according to  U.S. Department of State definition “terrorism” is a “premeditated politically-motivated violence perpetrated against non-combatant targets by sub-national groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience”.

In my humble opinion the words “influence an audience” are the key ones in our research. Furthermore surprisingly Islamic Terrorism has always had some relation to the means of exuberance of the mind. The firs terrorists of Muslim denomination were Assassins. This word allegedly derives from Arabian word hashish, which they are reported to have been addicted to. Although they were an offshoot of Ishmael sect of Shah Muslims Assassins were often motivated by the infidels. Being instigated by the Hospitallers, they killed Jerusalem patriarch. They were reported to have killed Conrad of Montferrat being hired by Richard the Lionhearted.  Assassins’ advent coincided with the Crusades. Both Muslim princes and newly established Christian warlords of the Near East could not overcome one another and establish their control over the whole region so such a Murder Inc like Assassins was in a great demand. However by the Mongols under the leadership of Hulagu Khan conquered Near and Middle East crusaders had been almost overcome by Muslims. Some of them became liegemen to Mongols yet the majority of them came back to Europe. Assassins tried to negotiate with Hulagu but he was strong enough to have no need in the cruel and treacherous drug addicts who on being shattered left the history but their name which has still been a proper noun for murderer.

Having been driven out of Asia Europeans seem to have taken home not only the word assassin but the very idea of terrorist murder. While Medici, freelancers, condotierri and the like killed and betrayed each others for money, Asiatic despots were raising and losing their power mainly at the battlefields. As soon as the Europeans became strong enough to interfere with weakening Asian countries’ affairs again the spirit of terrorism began to soar above minarets again.

Another surge of Islamic terrorism has been caused by instability which resulted from Ottoman Empire’s defeat in World War I. Having lost his vast territorial possessions the Sultan abdicated from his throne as well as from the title of Caliph – ecclesiastic leader of all Muslims. Having obtained its control over the former Ottoman territories the British though failed to provide the Near and Middle East with stability these regions enjoyed under Turks. Furthermore having won another World War Britain lost however its colonial empire. As Cold War raging on newly established regimes of Muslim countries inevitably came under the influence of the Great Powers who wished to get their full control over the oil rich region inhabited by followers of Mohammad the Prophet. Soon it became evident for all that neither the Soviets nor the Allies could substitute Ottomans at the Near and the Middle East so the Great Powers were doing the best they could. So, each of the participants of the Cold War tried to hinder the enemy to establish the control over the whole region. At the same time they managed have the situation never run out of hand. Seven centuries after the last stronghold of Assassins was captured terrorism was in demand again.

Giving Israelis their due I can not help myself wondering how come that such an advanced army as the one of Israel equipped with the up-to-date weapon and brave rank and file can not overcome Arabian fanatics which outwardly claimed their aim to destroy the very State of Israel? At the first sight it could seem unconceivable for an average person how such intelligence as that of Israel which succeeds to kidnap the ex-Nazis from every hole throughout the world fails to render harmless semi-literate fanatics within the borders of their own? How come that the most powerful state in the world has not been able to catch a person accused in committing 9/11 attack for over seven years?