Micro-Sociology and New Wars: Visual Analysis of Terror Attacks During the “Intifada of the Individuals”

Abstract

This study explores the “black box” of face-to-face violence during terror attacks. It is based upon visual analysis of a representative sample of terror attacks that occurred in Israel during 2015–2016, a period which is labeled “The Intifada of Individuals.” We offer a new method for this purpose by using available materials that military sociologists can retrieve and employ when they use the “macro”-level framework in their study of “micro”-level actions. The abundance of audiovisual devices allows a new perspective of belligerent friction typical of “New Wars.” Our methodology includes a combination of video and audio materials from open sources. Our analysis untangles the complexities of belligerency by minimizing the overall occurrences to the actions of the antagonist, the disrupter, and the crowd. We discuss our understandings for policy making concerning armament of civilians and overcoming the manipulation of terror attacks by media, government, and terrorists.