Which Way, L.A.?

Suicide Bombing and Extremism in the Middle East

Suicide bombers have wreaked havoc in Israel, but Israel's military reaction has caused more Palestinian suffering. So it's no surprise that a practice, deplored by much of the world, is hotly debated by Muslims. Militant groups cite the promise of martyrdom for striking fear in the heart of a hated enemy while others maintain that suicide is a sin. Still others justify the practice against military targets as long as it does not harm innocent civilians. As Israel braces for more attacks, we hear about the complex, confounding background of suicide bombing from historians, and political and religious experts. (This program is an abbreviated edition of today's To the Point.)