Terrorism has gone from openly bad to covertly worse in just one decade, according to Sabi H. Shabtai, an internationally acclaimed terrorism expert and noted author.
"The good news is that Red Terrorism (activity sponsored by Marxist European nations) that we experienced in the 1970s and 1980s is pretty much dead," Shabtai said in a lecture Thursday in the Mitchell Hall auditorium at The U of M. "The bad news is that it's been replaced by Black Terrorism (neo-fascists in Europe) and Green Terrorism (Fundamentalist Muslims), which is much more deadly."
The early-afternoon lecture, which was attended by a mixed crowd of about 50 students, faculty, and members of the surrounding community, provided the assembled with some stark realizations about the world of terrorism.
"The difference between the Red Terrorists, the Green and Black Terrorists, is before, they always looked for a way out," Shabtai said. "The modern string of terrorists are prepared to die for their cause."
Shabtai said with the collapse of the Soviet Union and its satellite states, most terrorist organizations around the world have collapsed. He went on to say the People's Republic of China, North Korea and Cuba -- the last three true Marxist states -- are careful not to involve themselves in terrorism. Since then, Shabtai said, the major player and host of international terrorism has become the Islamic Republic of Iran and to lesser degrees, the Democratic People's Republic of Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Shabtai also contended that Mehemet Ali Agca was a Bulgarian agent working for the KGB to assassinate Pope John Paul II in 1981. While this has been a rumor, no link between Agca and the Bulgarian Government has been proven.
Shabtai, a former member of the Israeli Mossad, is the figure Wesley Snipes played in the recent thriller, Passenger 57.
"I don't look like Wesley Snipes, yes?" Shabtai joked.
The counter-terrorism expert also authored the recent best seller "Five Minutes to Midnight" and "Traveling & Terrorism: A Traveler's Safety Guide."
Shabtai pointed out that just 25 years ago, society was so relaxed with itself, that it was unheard of to have to go through metal detectors before boarding a plane. He said some wondered aloud if
this was not a violation of their civil rights.
He mentioned that recent cell groups of the mysterious "November 17th" terrorist group, which is based in Greece, had attempted to assassinate a conservative member of Parliament. Shabtai said if efforts by this group continue, the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece-site of the ancient and the first of the modern-games-will be moved to Australia.
