LAST Sept 11 marked 15 years since the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States that killed nearly 3,000 people, injured more than 6,000 others and left thousands ill.
It is said that 9/11 changed the world. Indeed it did.
Since then, the US and other nations have waged wars and counter-terrorism efforts.
In its broadest sense, terrorism has existed from time immemorial.
Terrorism takes root in the minds of people.
As such, it can never be eradicated by force or by enacting and enforcing laws.
Such measures deal with symptoms, not the root causes.
In fact, according to data from the Global Terrorism Database, terror acts have increased, with nearly 63,000 incidents claiming more than 145,000 lives since 9/11.
The twin evils of extremism and terrorism can be contained and defeated only in the hearts and minds of people.
Minds are moulded at home, in communities, places of worship, learning institutions, on playing fields and in workplaces.
These are where the young absorb ideas and ideologies that encourage them to hate others who are different from them.
When people feel they have no recourse to address what they believe are their rightful needs, or are ostracised by society, these are the triggers that make them act violently.
Much is said of self-radicalisation, even pointing to the Internet and social media as culprits. Let’s be clear: it cannot and does not occur in isolation.
While some youngsters morph into lone-wolf terrorists, others join terror groups. In all cases, they are looking for an identity and to vent their emotions on real or perceived insecurities.
Also, corruption, injustice and oppression will lead to discontent, resentment, dissent and, ultimately, violence.
Terrorist recruiters recognise and prey on these vulnerabilities with immense success.
Given how terrorist ideologies have infiltrated communities and nations worldwide, no single country can address the threat alone.
Rather, it requires a comprehensive approach, including continual exchange of ideas and engagement with the international community.
It requires political will to address root causes, not using them as an excuse to further political agendas or keep a stranglehold on power.
We need to look into the grievances that terrorist organisations exploit and the propaganda they use to push vulnerable people down the path to violence.
As such, we must resolve legitimate grievances peacefully and strive to foster good governance, reduce poverty and corruption, and improve the quality of life of vulnerable groups.
We must bear in mind that there are no trade-offs between security, human rights and the rule of
law.
On the contrary, the recruitment of terrorists is most successful where local dynamics increase popular disaffection and create conditions of desperation.
To achieve this goal, we must empower leaders to challenge extremists by working with non-governmental organisations, religious bodies and public-private partnerships.
Another important aspect is the development of capabilities to combat transnational threats, which include preventing human and drug trafficking, money laundering, illegal arms trade and improving cyber-security.
We should also elevate our understanding of the role played by women and youth victims and possible perpetrators of terrorist acts.
Due to their positions in their families, women can exert a stabilising influence and empower individuals to resist radicalisation.
The wider and more effective use of the media, reconciliatory events and other forms of interaction, leadership training retreats and school programmes will energise and mobilise civil society’s contributions to a safer world.
This is why it is critical that addressing social, economic and governance deficits at the domestic level must go hand in hand with wider counter-terrorism efforts to meet our goals of defeating terrorism and ensuring common security.
Rueben Dudley, Petaling Jaya, Selangor