Global Agenda Council on Terrorism 2011

Terrorism continues to disrupt peace and security globally. Terrorist attacks worldwide make it clear that terrorist organizations and their followers remain a security concern requiring intense international cooperation.

Terrorism is often carried out by groups, networks and cells that are scattered, polymorphous and mutating. They have a high capacity to spread out on a large scale, often randomly, without any pre-established plan.

Governments often conclude that a military victory solves the problem of terrorism. Yet the manner in which military defeat occurs may lead to the re-emergence of terrorism. Counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency strategies require revision on a global scale, to avoid perpetuating the genesis of myths about religious groups and nationalities involved in terrorist activities. Addressing terrorism’s breeding grounds and its political and socio-economic elements are critical to a holistic security strategy.