terrorism

Point - (UK response) One of the most significant UK responses to terrorism is the CONTEST strategy.

(PREVENT - prevent, pursue, protect, prepare)

For example, Prevent has been widely used in the last decade, particularly in schools, universities, and public services, with 7000 people referred for initial risk and vulnerability assessments.

Rebuttal point (UK response) - A major criticism of Prevent is that it is ineffective and discriminatory.

For example, the attacker who murdered MP Sir David Amess in 2021 had been referred to Prevent, yet still went on to commit a terrorist act.

Point (UK response) - Another key response has been the introduction of stronger laws and policing powers to deal with terrorism.

For example, Martyn’s law, which requires public venues to improve security and be prepared for terrorist attacks. This law was introduced following the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing and aims to protect the public by making crowded places safer.

Rebuttal point (UK response) - However, it has been argued that these measures of increased legislation and policing threaten civil liberties and may not address the root causes of terrorism.

For example, the 2019 London Bridge stabbing in which terrorist Usman Khan stabbed and killed 2 people.

Point - (causes) One social cause of terrorism is radicalisation on the internet.

For example, Shamima Begum is a British-born woman who left the UK with three school friends at the age of 15 and entered Syria to join the Islamic State of ISIS in 2015.

Rebuttal point (causes) - However, another social cause of terrorism is religion.

For example, on Easter Sunday in April 2019, coordinated suicide bombings struck churches targeted during the Easter Sunday services.

Point - Poverty is an economic factor as a cause of terrorism.

For example, Al-Shabaab’s deadliest attack was mounted in late 2017 in Mogadishu, killing over 300 people in this bombing.

Rebuttal point (causes) - However, another economic cause of terrorism is underdevelopment.

For example, in Nigeria, the late dictator General Sani Abacha succeeded in stealing between $1billion and 3$ billion in 5 years. Groups linked to Al-Qaeda have grown in countries such as Somalia and Nigeria, where they are able to take advantage of the lack of infrastructure and policing.

Point (causes) - The type of political system used by a country can make terrorist behaviour and attacks more likely.

For example, in some countries where the government has completely broken down, such as Libya and Somalia, terrorist groups have been able to freely operate and even more recently, as in Syria with Daesh (ISIS).

Rebuttal point (causes) - However, another political cause of terrorism is political retaliation.

For example, in April 2017, a terrorist attack occurred in central Stockholm, Sweden, when a hijacked truck was driven into pedestrians, killing 5 people and injuring 14. The offender, Rakhmat Akilov, was motivated by Islamist extremism and anger over Sweden’s role in military actions against islamist groups.

Point (effects) - One impact of terrorism on the wider community is the rise in the number of refugees fleeing from terrorist attacks.

For example, by the end of 2016, nearly 5.2 million refugees and migrants reached European shores, undertaking treacherous journeys from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries torn apart by war and terrorism.

Point (effects) - Another impact of terrorism on the wider community is that it creates instability in regions.

For example, Boko Haram in northeast Nigeria has had devastating effects on the region, including 2000 deaths and 70,000 refugees in the neighbouring country of Cameroon.

Point (effects) - Another impact on the wider community is the increased number of terrorist attacks across the world.

For example, in 2016, 77 countries across the world experienced at least one terrorist attack compared to 65 in 2015