Attention Quote by Richard Holbrooke
“There's no question that the next generation of terrorists, rather than going for small, little dramas, will go for the big one. They now understand that the way to get the world's attention is not strapping bombs to themselves in a pizza parlour, but to do something so horrific it gets you into the Guinness Book of World Records for terrorism.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on Global Terrorism, U.S. State Department, 2005
The quote warns that terrorists will shift to larger, more shocking attacks to gain worldwide attention, seeking notoriety over smaller acts.
In simple terms: Terrorists aim for massive, headline‑grabbing attacks.
Key Takeaway
Prepare for high‑impact threats.
Themes
security
terrorism
media
psychology
politics
Mood
anxious
serious
Type
analytical
policy
strategic
When to use this quote
- national security planning
- airport security
- public awareness campaigns
- counter‑terrorism intelligence
Key Concepts
asymmetric warfare
media amplification
terrorist motivation
risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies reduce the appeal of notoriety for terrorists?
- What safeguards can limit the media’s role in amplifying terror?
A Different Perspective
Such large attacks are harder to prevent and may provoke over‑reactions.
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