This Strategy report examines the shifting patterns of global terrorism. It is the first major ASPI report on terrorism since the death of Osama bin Laden in May 2011. The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the geographic, operational and ideological trends that are driving the current wave of jihadist terrorism around the world. Those trends point to the increasing diversification of the threat, as a new generation of terrorist leaders in South Asia, North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula adapt and reinterpret al-Qaeda’s ideology.
The paper argues that new patterns of global terrorism will require more agile and effective policy responses. For Australia, the focus of counter-terrorism and counter-radicalisation efforts must shift towards the three areas most at risk from the influence of al-Qaeda’s ideology – individuals, institutions and the internet.
The paper was written by Carl Ungerer, Director of ASPI’s National Security Program.
http://www.aspi.org.au/publications/publication_details.aspx?ContentID=324&pubtype=-1