Alexander, Yonah

Director, Terrorism Studies Program,
George Washington University
2121 Eye Street NW
Washington, DC 20052
USA

Terrorism-the calculated employment of the threat of violence by individuals, subnational groups, and state actors to attain political, social, and economic objectives in the violation of law, intended to create an overwhelming fear in a target area larger than the victims attacked or threatened-is as old as civilization itself.  Yet unlike their historical counterparts, present day terrorists have introduced into contemporary life a new scale of violence in terms of conventional and unconventional threats.  The internationalization and brutalization of modern terrorism make it clear that we have entered into an “Age of Terrorism” with all of its serious implications to national, regional and global security concerns.  This alarming and dangerous trend increases the potential for “Super Terrorism”-biological, chemical or nuclear violence-as well as the advent of information warfare and cyber terrorism. Perhaps the most significant dangers are those relating to: the safety, welfare, and rights of ordinary people; the stability of the state system; the health of economic development; the expansion of democracy; and perhaps even the survival of civilization itself.

Thus, despite the end of the Cold War and evolving era of the “New World Order,” terrorism remains as threatening as ever.  Undoubtedly, the conflicts emerging from ideological, religious, and national animosities will continue to make terrorism a global problem well into the twenty-first century.  Ensuring the safety of its citizens at home and abroad will therefore continue to be every government’s paramount responsibility in the coming months and years. Thus far, at least , many governments and people have failed to appreciate the magnitude and implications of the terrorist threat.  Some countries tend to regard terrorism as a minor nuisance or irritant.  As a result, a large number of countries have not yet developed a strong commitment to deal effectively with the problem of terrorism.

On the other hand, some states, such the U.S. have taken a variety of effective counter terrorism measures.  Most notably, they have given greater public attention to terrorism; improved intelligence gathering resources against terrorist; enacted appropriate legislation; apprehended, prosecuted, and punished terrorists; provided greater protection to government facilities and officials; and developed various programs to help train those who must respond to unconventional attacks such as police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel.

In sum, the vulnerability of modern society and its infrastructure, coupled with the opportunities for the utilization of sophisticated high-leverage conventional and unconventional weaponry, requires states both unilaterally, and in concert, to develop credible responses and capabilities to minimize future threats.  Moreover, the public in general, including the International Society for Respiratory Protection, has both a moral and practical responsibility to participate in the international effort to arrest the virus of terrorism.