CIA Pursues Anti-Terrorism Videogame

Thanks to the Washington Times for their story revealing the CIA is developing a videogame aimed at helping its analysts think like terrorists. The agency is working with the Institute Of Creative Technologies, who helped the Army set up development of Full Spectrum Warrior, and according to the article: "The game will select a scenario that could involve analysts playing terrorist-cell leaders or members, a terrorist 'money mover' or a facilitator", or alternatively "a U.S. Customs agent, or even a cooperative or hostile neighbor living next to a terrorist", to help anti-terrorism workers "think outside the box."

Comments

Easy

[4of12]

Thinking like a terrorist involves two things:

1. Living in conditions that you perceive as less than acceptable.
2. Believing that the fundamental cause of those conditions is due to $THEM.

One man's terrorist is another's valiant freedom-fighter.

It's all based on perception.

Until we address the root problem of living conditions (as well as - and not just - their perception) and the belief systems that blame others we'll always get new terrorists to replace the old ones that get killed off.

And, yes, we have to examine our own self interests in the cold light of logic, because a lot of times the perception of less than acceptable conditions is somewhat correct and the belief that someone else is responsible is somewhat correct.

But the world is still not ready to adequately address either the issues of commercial freedom and of religious freedom. Until then, we're propagating the problem and treating symptoms instead of root causes.

Re:Didn't...

[kaellinn18]

Yes it did. Counterstrike led the pack, setting up such realistic scenarios as 1) blowing up a pile of crates in the middle of the desert 2) blowing up a pile of crates in a slightly different desert 3) blowing up a pile of crates in a small town and 4) blowing up a highly classified, nationally vital Aztec temple. Not to mention showing the world just how instantly lethal being shot in the foot can be.

Couldn't they just do this with a 'SimTerrorist'

[Mordant]

expansion pack?

Instead of bricking up your neighbors so that they starve to death, your family could build pipe-bombs and plant them throughout the neighborhood!