Terrorism and Hostage Taking
Week 3, 18.10.2022
Are there any clear theories that might be used to explain (or not) the motivations behind this attack?
A threat
What do you think was the main purpose/main purposes?
Media attention and money
What similarities/differences are there between this and other cases that we talked about/that you know
about?
If you were to profile, which category do you think would be categorised as being, and why?
Are there any specific issues that you think should eb considered in negotiating with people involved?
How might these impact on the negotiations?
What examples of hostage/captor relationships can you identify in the case study? Do you feel these would
benefit or hinder the negotiations? Why do you think these occurred?
Do you think there are distinct phases within the situation? Do you feel that the negotiations followed the
recommended pattern? What concessions may have been part of the initial negotiation attempts with the
terrorists? Were they successful? What negotiations tactics were used?
Are there any elements of the negotiation process/concessions/process that you find surprising? Why? What
impact do you think they may have had?
What roles do you think the negotiator played as the siege took place?
Do you think other tactics could have been employed?
Do you think that this could be considered to be successful management of a hostage situation?
Terrorism – Acts of violence. Designed to spread fear. Against a government or society. Not a homogenous
group. Majority of terrorists are white male.
Hostage Taking – Bargaining chips. Political prisoners, if I give you this, you give me that. Innocent people are
taken. Idea of creating fear.
When it comes to Terrorism no one asks why, no one wants to talk about why. They only report the output.
(Smith et al, 2002). Motive is ignored. Also, in the prosecution, they just sentence.
Sociological/Psychological Theories of terrorism (Hudson, 1999).
Social Constructionist Views
About consequence, not causes
Models – Extra Notes
Hostage incidents by tape
Majority is kidnappings. Least common are barricade and Hijacks. Kidnappings you don’t hear about much.
The Munich Massacre – Olympics in West Germany 1972. Members of the Israeli Olympic team were
taken eventually murdered by Black September.
Iranian Embassy Siege – April 30th, 1980. 6 armed Arab, 26 hostages were taken. 5 hostages are
released. On day 6, 1 hostage was killed for fighting. 19 hostages were saved.
Air Force Hijacking – 220 passengers. 12 crews, on the 24 th of December 1994. 3 passengers were
killed. French Special Forces stormed and killed all 4 hijackers in a 20-minute gun battle.
The Purpose of taking hostages
Rates of hostage taking lower much lower bombing/assassination. (Antokol & Mayor, 1990)
Week 3, 18.10.2022
Are there any clear theories that might be used to explain (or not) the motivations behind this attack?
A threat
What do you think was the main purpose/main purposes?
Media attention and money
What similarities/differences are there between this and other cases that we talked about/that you know
about?
If you were to profile, which category do you think would be categorised as being, and why?
Are there any specific issues that you think should eb considered in negotiating with people involved?
How might these impact on the negotiations?
What examples of hostage/captor relationships can you identify in the case study? Do you feel these would
benefit or hinder the negotiations? Why do you think these occurred?
Do you think there are distinct phases within the situation? Do you feel that the negotiations followed the
recommended pattern? What concessions may have been part of the initial negotiation attempts with the
terrorists? Were they successful? What negotiations tactics were used?
Are there any elements of the negotiation process/concessions/process that you find surprising? Why? What
impact do you think they may have had?
What roles do you think the negotiator played as the siege took place?
Do you think other tactics could have been employed?
Do you think that this could be considered to be successful management of a hostage situation?
Terrorism – Acts of violence. Designed to spread fear. Against a government or society. Not a homogenous
group. Majority of terrorists are white male.
Hostage Taking – Bargaining chips. Political prisoners, if I give you this, you give me that. Innocent people are
taken. Idea of creating fear.
When it comes to Terrorism no one asks why, no one wants to talk about why. They only report the output.
(Smith et al, 2002). Motive is ignored. Also, in the prosecution, they just sentence.
Sociological/Psychological Theories of terrorism (Hudson, 1999).
Social Constructionist Views
About consequence, not causes
Models – Extra Notes
Hostage incidents by tape
Majority is kidnappings. Least common are barricade and Hijacks. Kidnappings you don’t hear about much.
The Munich Massacre – Olympics in West Germany 1972. Members of the Israeli Olympic team were
taken eventually murdered by Black September.
Iranian Embassy Siege – April 30th, 1980. 6 armed Arab, 26 hostages were taken. 5 hostages are
released. On day 6, 1 hostage was killed for fighting. 19 hostages were saved.
Air Force Hijacking – 220 passengers. 12 crews, on the 24 th of December 1994. 3 passengers were
killed. French Special Forces stormed and killed all 4 hijackers in a 20-minute gun battle.
The Purpose of taking hostages
Rates of hostage taking lower much lower bombing/assassination. (Antokol & Mayor, 1990)
