The Complexity of Terrorism starts with the lack of its Proper definition. Thus, it is being differentiated as sometimes as Good Terrorism and sometimes as Bad Terrorism based on the Political calculations.
Complexity of Terrorism:
1. It is complex in the sense that it is very difficult to say who is fighting against whom in Syria for example.
2. It is complex in the sense of factions within Al-Qaida, ISIS.
3. It is complex in its working too like having Sleeper cells, Lone wolf attackers, State sponsored, backed by big powers.
Intensity of Terrorism:
● Globalisation and Technology has improved the capability of groups and cells in Proselytising, Conducting multiple attacks in different locations and Lethality.
● Geographical Landscape: No country is safe today. E.g.: New Zealand
● Backed by Religious doctrines, thus more terrific like Beheading by ISIS.
Causes:
1. Ethno-Nationalism: The desire of a group of persons to form a new nation led to the creation of terrorist organisations. E.g.: Hamas attacking against Israel, Chechen Terrorist attacking against Russia
2. Terrorism due to Alienation: E.g.: 9/11 Terrorist attack in USA is the best example where the persons involved in the attack were migrant Muslims who went to Germany were discriminated against.
3. Religion: The global Salafi jihad is a worldwide religious revivalist movement with the goal of re-establishing past Muslim glory.
4. Socio-Economic status: Differences led to the humiliation, frustration and victimisation in a group of persons belonging to poor countries.
Linkage and Obnoxious Nexus:
There is a symbiotic relation between Organised crime and Terrorist groups where terrorist groups are being funded through Drug traffickers, Fake currency cartels. E.g.: Attacks on the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, in 2005 were generated mainly through fake currency.
Measures Required:
1. Universal definition of terrorism: no good terrorist or bad terrorist.
2. Ban on all groups regardless of country of operation, cut off access to funds and safe havens.
3. Prosecution of all groups including cross border groups.
4. Amending domestic laws to make cross-border terror an extraditable offence.
Terrorism cannot be prevented unless there is an agreed definition of the same and nations collaborate on intelligence gathering and follow UN Strategy on Global Counterterrorism.