NCJ Number
192078
Date Published
2001
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This chapter describes the current trend in terrorism where the geographical shift is from the Middle East to South Asia.
Abstract
Another trend is from well-organized, localized groups supported by state sponsors to loosely organized, international networks of terrorists. South Asia has become a new locus for terrorism because of the civil war that followed the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the power vacuum that followed that invasion, and the gained power of the Taliban, a radical group with a world-view informed by the experience of war. Another factor is the progress made in reducing terrorism in the Middle East. This has been achieved by designating state sponsors of terrorism, criminalizing support to groups designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), and intense bilateral discussions with various states. Many Middle Eastern governments have strengthened their counterterrorist policy and improved international cooperation. There is a misperception among some people that terrorism is driven by belief in Islam. In fact, terrorism is a perversion of the teaching of Islam. Another factor contributing to the shift of the locus of terrorism is the intersection of regional instability and weak political and economic systems with ideological and militant extremism. The ability of terrorists operating in Afghanistan to obtain funds and other material support is a symptom of the other primary trend in terrorism. One of the most important ways to combat terrorism is to disrupt the financing of terrorist groups and activities. The ability of groups such as Osama bin Laden’s al-Qa’ida network to plan and carry out terrorist attacks is the final causal factor in the shift of terrorism to South Asia: the Taliban’s refusal to crack down on terrorists. Afghanistan harbors terrorists from the region and around the world and provides safe haven for bin Laden and his network.