An Analysis of David Brooks’ “The Culture of Martyrdom”

“The Culture of Martyrdom” by David Brooks takes a look at suicide bombings by Palestinians, usually against Israelis; in particular, its psychological impact and how it has remained an effective method of both killing and instilling fear. Although suicide bombings are a relatively new development, only coming around in the early ’80s, they have since become a staple method of attack for terrorists. Brooks believes that the best way to counter this form of terrorism is to understand exactly how suicide bombings work and affect the mind of both the user and victim. After examining the arguments presented by Brooks, it seems obvious that suicide bombings are not simply a means to an end but an end unto themselves.

Suicide bombings, Brooks argues, are a desperate last resort for terrorists. In fact, the Koran actually forbids the taking of one’s own life, yet the terrorists, most of whom abide by the Koran’s teachings, resort to it anyway. Religious authorities have since given these suicide bombings their blessing, although that action understandably fragmented the Muslim community and their modern views of Islam. In fact, the suicide bombers themselves do not seem to be motivated, at least entirely, by religious fanaticism. Brooks notes that many of them are well-educated, and all of them must fit certain criteria in order to be suicide bombers, although there are plenty who choose to go rogue, of course. In reality, much of the motivation of suicide bombers comes from simple revenge. If a close friend or relative of a bomber has been killed, or they believe have been killed, by Israeli or American troops, they will vow to retaliate at the cost of their own life. This is where Brooks makes the crux of his argument: that suicide bombing is not merely a means to an end, but a full-blown addiction. This is not a simple addiction of one or two people, but an addiction of an entire group of people. The lust for vengeance suffered by suicide bombers carries over to others, who, in turn become suicide bombers themselves, perpetuating this cycle of killing and violence. In this respect, Brooks’ opinions and observations are solid.

Publicity is an important part of suicide bombings because ultimately, Brooks says, their goal is to instill fear, and publicity is the best way to achieve that on a widespread level. For example, one method of generating attention is to write a final letter or videotape testimony that explains the motivations of the suicide bomber, Brooks says. Oftentimes they are vowing vengeance against infidels of some description. This also begs an examination of the friends and family of the suicide bomber. Surprisingly, family members and friends who supported him were generally happy that he did it, and some parents are even eager to send more children to die for the cause. Brooks posits that this could be because the parents of the suicide bomber feel wronged by the opposing side (usually the Israelis) and want to do something to help the cause, even if that something is sacrificing their own children. The second hypothesis is that suicide bombing has permeated Palestinian culture so thoroughly that many parts of their society are “addicted to the adrenaline rush of vengeance and murder” (Brooks 83). Brooks is saying that Palestinian culture has to reach a metaphorical breaking point, wherein suicide bombing culture has become such a popular means of attack that it is almost expected that people, if they do not actively send their children away to be suicide bombers, at least support the cause as much as possible. In fact, Brooks states that 70 to 80 percent of Palestinians support suicide bombing, a starting figure, to be sure. He uses this to support his claim that violence in Palestine is an “addiction” and, looking at these startling figures, it is difficult to find fault in that summation. In this sense, his argument is quite credible, since it is backed up by logic and, more importantly, statistics.

Aside from retaliations by the United States and Israel, along with their allies, there are also detractors, even in Palestine, who work to change the culture of suicide bombings from within. To this end, Brooks says, they have taken more subtle measures to reduce the attitude of violence in Palestine, such as moderating the tone of textbooks to reduce the rhetoric of holy wars between Judaism and Islam tenets, and the glory that comes with them. Some Palestinian officials claim to want to stop the recruiting of suicide bombers and other terrorists at these camps, but so far these attempts have not been very successful, for whatever reason. It is even more difficult for victimized countries such as the United States to respond to these attacks without inciting a war since much of the suicide culture is an integral part of their culture. They also cannot grant concessions or anything of the sort, as this would simply encourage further attacks. Brooke recommends establishing conditions that would force the suicide bombings to simply burn themselves out. Namely, to separate Palestinian and Israeli populations, including shutting down Israeli settlements in Gaza and the West Bank to create a “buffer zone” of sorts that physically separate the two (Brooks, 84). The presenting of possible solutions here by Brooks represents an acceptance of his own belief, that suicide bombings have become a unique problem, requiring unique solutions.

Brooks’ central argument remains that suicide bombings are a continuing plague, built upon cyclical martyrdom and violence, and something must be done about it. He believes the surest solution is the most absolute and involves simply limited contact the countries have with one another as if they are two petulant schoolchildren. This is a sound idea, because many other methods, including brute force, have been tried, and been met with limited success, as this simply creates more martyrs with which to inspire future suicide bombers.

Work Cited

Brooks, David “The Culture of Martyrdom: How Suicide Bombing Became Not Just a Means but an End” The Atlantic Monthly (2002) 80-85