UN Photo/M. Elias UN Security Council. Photo from the archive 25 years after September 11: the Security Council discussed how the terrorist threat has changed Peace and Security
A quarter of a century after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, terrorism has become more fragmented and increasingly uses new technologies, and identifying lone actors is more difficult than exposing networks. UN representatives stated this at a Security Council meeting dedicated to the anniversary of the tragedy and the changing terrorist threat.
Terrorist attacks that changed the course of history
As a result of the attacks of September 11, 2001, almost three thousand people died. The victims included citizens of 90 countries. Many were injured, and the consequences of the tragedy affected families and entire communities around the world. The meeting on Friday began with a minute of silence, with which members of the Security Council paid tribute to the memory of the victims. all humanity will tremble. In a matter of minutes, he radically changed the course of history, making the world a less safe place for everyone,” Eihab Omaish, acting head of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, said in a speech. Survivor stories—stories of loss, fear, resilience and hope—must remain at the center of international counterterrorism efforts.
UN Security Council Resolutions
After the attacks, the Security Council adopted Resolution 1373, which committed states to preventing terrorism, bringing terrorists to justice and denying them safe haven. Since then, the Council has adopted more than 20 additional counter-terrorism resolutions. They cover, inter alia, incitement and recruitment, violent extremism, cross-border movements of terrorists, strengthening borders and disrupting the financing of terrorism.
How the threats have changed
However, over the years, the threat itself has changed. As Natalya German, head of the Executive Directorate of the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the UN Security Council, noted, terrorist organizations are restructuring their structures, decentralizing operations, developing new sources of funding and taking advantage of instability, weakness of state institutions, struggle for resources and discontent of the population.
At the same time, the role of decentralized cells, loosely connected networks and lone terrorists is growing. Their path to violence is often more difficult to detect and stop. Terrorist and organized crime groups also use shipping routes and critical infrastructure to move people, weapons, and illicit cargo.
Use of new technologies
The use of new technologies is of particular concern to the UN. The Internet serves terrorists not only for disseminating propaganda and recruiting, but also for gathering intelligence, planning attacks and financing. Drones are becoming increasingly available, cheap and effective for surveillance, reconnaissance and attack.
“The recruitment and exploitation of children and youth is emerging as one of the most pressing issues facing the counterterrorism community,” Herman warned. Extremists are looking for potential supporters on social networks, gaming communities and other virtual spaces. The development of artificial intelligence and automatic content creation further increases the speed, scale and accuracy of these activities.
Funding schemes
Financing schemes are also becoming more complex. Along with cash and informal money transfer systems, terrorists use online payments, crowdfunding, mobile financial services and virtual assets. They also earn income from extortion, kidnapping for ransom, illegal trafficking and exploitation of natural resources.
Force is not enough
UN representatives emphasized that force alone is not enough. It is necessary to eliminate the conditions that terrorists take advantage of, strengthen international cooperation and involve local communities, civil society, women, youth and those affected by terrorist attacks in preventive work.
The fight against terrorism must be based on international law. “Measures that undermine the rule of law and human rights ultimately weaken our collective efforts,” Omaish said.