Conclusions: How to Face the Present Fanatic Threat?

Abstract

As terror implies a “disproportionately large psychological effect” on a target population, counterterrorism strategies have to concentrate on how the target population perceives it. Because of the scale of the 9/11 attacks, it is rather the start of a non-conventional war through non-conventional mechanisms than a “terrorist attack”. Terrorism “as a method” (instead of typifying actors and causes) must be seen in the context of the political strategies that employ it, and in our day, the main one is Jihadism. It is crucial that this point is recognised; it is the main challenge we are confronted with. As such, the political psychology of appeasement, identified by Walter Laqueur (but not conceptualised by him or anybody else), is the greatest obstacle we are facing to combat this threat. The unjustified amalgamation of the attackers in ethnic, religious or national terms is a second danger. More so than to employ armed forces, it is essential to engage in the war of ideas against Jihadism. Addressing real grievances and promoting transnational cohesion around the world are pre-conditions to achieve victory in this war.