Hamas -- How Has a Terrorist Organization Become a Political Power?

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA479689 | Open PDF

Abstract:

In early 2006, the first democratic elections in the Palestinian Authority ended with a surprising landslide victory by Hamas, a recognized terrorist organization. How did Hamas gain enough power to become the ruling party by democratic election Does that mean that the majority of Palestinians support terrorism Hamas is similar to other fundamentalist Islamic organizations in terms of its social network and its aspiration to establish an Islamic state. Understanding the source of Hamass power and identifying its center of gravity are crucial to understanding how Hamas came to possess such power, and to waging an effective war against terrorism. Furthermore, such an understanding is essential to resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Since any action taken against Hamas by Israel or the United States will be interpreted as an attack against Islam, the only way to deal with this Islamist fundamentalist organization is to engage the participation of moderate Arab countries.

Author(s):
Mehr, Ben-zion
Author Organization(s):
ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA
Descriptive Note:
Research paper
Supplementary Note:
USAWC Strategy Research Project. DOI: 10.21236/ADA479689
Pagination:
0039

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Monitor Series:
USAWC
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_8_Building Partnerships; JCA_8.2_Shape; JCA_8.2.3_Build the Capabilities and Capacities of Partners and Institutions; JCA_3_Force Application; JCA_3.1_Maneuver; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_3.1.1_Maneuver to Engage; JCA_8.1_Communicate; JCA_1.3_Human Capital Management; JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_3.1.2_Maneuver to Insert; JCA_1.3.1_Personnel and Family Support; JCA_8.1.3_Influence Adversary and Competitor Audiences; JCA_5.3.2_Apply Situational Understanding; JCA_1.2.3_Educating; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_6.1_Information Transport; JCA_8.1.1_Inform Domestic and Foreign Audiences; JCA_6.4.1_Secure Information Exchange
Modernization Areas:
Autonomy
Communities of Interest:
Energy and Power Technologies
Descriptor(s):
*TERRORISTS, *CENTER OF GRAVITY, *ORGANIZATIONS, *POWER, *PALESTINIANS, *ELECTIONS, *POLITICAL PARTIES, ISRAEL, UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, LEADERSHIP, ISRAELIS, SOCIAL WELFARE, DEMOCRACY, PUBLIC OPINION, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, GOVERNMENT(FOREIGN), ISLAM, MILITARY FORCES(FOREIGN), THREATS, CONFLICT
Field(s)/Group(s):
Government and Political Science, Unconventional Warfare
Keyword(s):
*HAMAS, *PALESTINIAN NATIONAL AUTHORITY, ISRAELI PALESTINIAN CONFLICT, ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM, JIHAD, VOTING BEHAVIOR, MODERATE ARABS, GAZA STRIP, WEST BANK, MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD, DAWA, SUICIDE BOMBERS, NATIONALISM, PLO(PALESTINE LIBERATION ORGANIZATION), YASSER ARAFAT, FATAH PARTY
Report Date:
2008 Mar 13
Creation Date:
2008 Apr 30