Dr Rohan Gunaratna, world-famous authority on Al-Qaeda, was one of the keynote speakers at the recent ASIS International Asia Pacific Conference. Addressing 300 security managers from almost 40 different countries, Dr Gunaratna used this opportunity to deliver the following key messages:1. The threat of terrorism against Europe and the US has increased “very significantly” since the shifting of the international terrorism “epicentre” from Afghanistan to Iraq.
2. The desire to inflict mass-fatality attacks. “Today the groups are discussing and talking about conducting catastrophic terrorist attacks.”
3. Today terrorists are interested in using chemical, biological, radiological devices - and poisons. This, and other changes such as greater networking with “local” groups, are likely to change the landscape of terrorism in the next five years.
4. The propaganda war is heating up. Al Sahab, the propaganda arm of Al Qaeda, last year released 97 videos, up from 42 in 2006 and just 1 in 2001. According to Ayman al-Zawahri himself, the principle architect of the global AQ movement, 90% of the “war” is being fought in the media.
Dr Gunaratna offered the following strategy for defeating international terrorism:
- Anti-terrorism – the protection of infrastructure and people.
- Operational counter-terrorism - Catch, kill, and disrupt terrorist operations.
- Profiling – identifying out-of-the-ordinary purchases, which could be an indication of explosives-making components, and out-of-the-ordinary behaviour.
- Root cause treatment - Rehabilitation of detainees, community engagement, and focus on delivering the true, peaceful, messages of the Holy Quran.
For a more detailed written account of the presentation contact David.
