Changing Nature and the Role of Actors in Confronting Terrorism

This article examines the changing nature of terrorism in the 21st century and the corresponding evolution in the roles of various actors in confronting this threat. It analyzes the shift from the hierarchical, state-sponsored terrorist groups of the past to the more decentralized, transnational, and ideologically-driven networks of the present, such as al-Qaeda and ISIS. The study then explores how this has necessitated a change in the roles of the actors involved in counter-terrorism. The research argues that the traditional, state-centric model, which relies solely on the military and intelligence agencies, is no longer sufficient. The paper highlights the growing importance of a wider range of actors, including international organizations, the private sector (particularly tech companies), and local communities and civil society. The analysis concludes that confronting the new nature of terrorism requires a more comprehensive, multi-actor, and networked approach that mirrors the nature of the threat itself.

The threat of terrorism has evolved significantly in the 21st century, and so too must the response. This paper provides a detailed analysis of this "co-evolution." The first part of the study is an examination of the changing nature of terrorism itself. It contrasts the "old" terrorism of groups like the IRA or the PLO with the "new" global jihadi terrorism. It identifies the key features of this new terrorism: its transnational ambition, its religious-apocalyptic ideology, its skillful use of the internet and social media, and its decentralized, franchise-like organizational structure. The core of the article is an analysis of how this has forced an evolution in the roles of the actors who are confronting terrorism. It argues that the fight against this new form of terrorism cannot be won by states alone. The paper provides an in-depth discussion of the new and crucial roles of a range of other actors. This includes the role of the private sector, with a focus on the responsibility of social media companies to counter online radicalization. It also highlights the vital role of local communities in building resilience and in providing the "soft" intelligence needed to prevent attacks. It further examines the role of international and regional organizations in facilitating cooperation and setting global norms. The findings suggest that the old model of a state-centric, security-led counter-terrorism is obsolete. The paper concludes that the only effective response is a "networked" one, a whole-of-society and whole-of-world effort that brings together all the relevant state and non-state actors in a new and more collaborative partnership.