NCJ Number
134774
Journal
Terrorism Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: (October/December 1991) Pages: 233-236
Date Published
1991
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Recent events have undoubtedly affected the nature and magnitude of international terrorism, especially in the Middle East.
Abstract
The Gulf War not only significantly altered the political and military balance of power in the region, but is resulting in upheaval and radical change within Middle East terrorist groups. Yasir Arafat's political stature and the wellspring of support among sympathetic circles in Western Europe have largely evaporated. Among the Palestinians, there is burgeoning support for fundamentalist organizations such as Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Glasnost has resulted in the confirmation of the role played by East European and Soviet security services in promoting international terrorism. The integration of Europe and the elimination of traditional border controls will facilitate the movement of terrorists and simplify the logistical problems they face, making the challenge to European security forces all the more daunting. Terrorists may turn to operations designed to produce mass casualties, such as aircraft bombings, to maximize psychological and political impact. Also, they may start to use biological agents such as pulmonary anthrax and botulinin toxin.