Reflexions on Forms and Dimensions of Radicalization(s)

WRITTEN BY Ahmed Said Ould Bah

It is now very rare to come across, or even to write an article on such issues like dialogue, Terrorism, and Radicalization without expanding on theoretical definitions and ideological arguments which most likely make it difficult to get any clear idea about the nature, impact and perspectives of these issues. Moreover, it gives the impression of repetition, polemics and rather useless rhetoric that we find in almost every piece of literature in this field.

Managing the Post-Conflict

WRITTEN BY Doris Buddenberg

The reconstruction of post-conflict societies requires the creation of national institutions responsible for justice, security, economic and social development. It is a complex task including different synergies among different sectors of society and the identification and introduction of innovative ways to improve the management of available resources (human, natural and financial).

Mumbai: a Lesson to Learn From

WRITTEN BY Brian Powrie

Interview with Brian Powrie

Last November a group of extremists attacked the historic Taj Mahal hotel located downtown in one of the most symbolic Indian city, Mumbai. The final official count put death toll at 171 bodies: a level of carnage that again raises questions surrounding the necessity of facing these kinds of threats, and whether it is concretely possible to prevent such random killings in our cities. In terms of ensuring security, knowing to which matrix the terrorist group who carried out the Mumbai attack belongs, does matter, but only to a small extent. More important, is to have an understanding of the modus operandi and the choice of target.

A Culture of CBRN: the Role of Regional Centres of Excellence

WRITTEN BY Bruno Duprè

Addressing the threat of illicit trafficking of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) material in today’s world is different from addressing the legacy of Cold War in the Former Soviet Union. The growing nuclear energy demand, biotechnology development and pandemics will without doubt be accompanied by increased non-proliferation challenges, and in particular the threat of illicit trafficking of CBRN material. Moreover, these new threats are expanding to new regions.

Major Events

WRITTEN BY David Veness

One of the key challenges that have changed security decision-making post 9/11 has been the menace of a mass casualty event. This has regularly taken the form of synchronized terrorist incidents carried out without warning aimed at civilian targets. This challenge has impacted judgments that need to be made in the course of pro-active counter terrorist investigations in pursuit of suspected terrorists.

Industries Opportunity

WRITTEN BY John Howie

Today’s geopolitical climate and incertitude, made more complicated by the recent economic global crisis, can only be tackled with a common policy and shared response. Such a complex arena requires an equally complex policy response. Such a policy should recognize that there are many interdependent entities that share the burden of responsibility for the overall security of the international community.

Cities Contemporary Laboratories

WRITTEN BY Francesco Cappè, Carlo Ratti, Assaf Biderman

Tokyo - 35 million, Mexico City - 20 million, Sao Paulo - 19 million and Mumbai - 18 million are the world’s four biggest mega cities that have, according to UN Habitat, possibly a third or maybe even half of the population of some G8 countries. In fact, there are 163 countries with populations smaller than Mumbai.

The Security Governance Approach

WRITTEN BY Isabela Leao, Alberto Contaretti

Managing today’s volatile and uncertain international security environment has become an increasingly important and complicated challenge. This new and radically different international security environment means that, in addition to traditional threats to States, there are new and more insidious ones, brought by non-State actors, that pose real dangers to an increasingly interlinked and interdependent society. National governments and international organisations are urgently examining the significance of this new situation.

Invest in Security for Major Events

WRITTEN BY Stuart Page

The Australian Approach

Terrorism can hit anywhere at any time. They do not just strike critical infrastructure, but wherever people travel, congregate, relax, live or attend a major event. The bombings in Bali (2002), Madrid (2004), London (2005) and the latest in Mumbai (2008) are chilling reminders of this. Each of these incidents highlights the turmoil caused by terrorist attacks where the human, financial and other costs are immeasurable for individuals and entire families, businesses, corporations, communities and nations alike.

Handling Terrorism Globally

WRITTEN BY Robert Orr

Terrorism is a global threat. It can affect anyone, anywhere, at any time. Countering terrorism requires global coordination and global solutions. It is for this reason that Member States brought terrorism to the agenda of the United Nations more than three decades ago.¹ The terrorist attacks of September 11th brought a new sense of urgency to the work already underway. Within weeks, the Security Council adopted a comprehensive resolution, which outlined a wide-range of counter-terrorism measures to be taken by all Member States.

Youth and Globalization

WRITTEN BY Giuliano Amato

Mentioning security policies, young generations and globalization in the same breath might appear as an attempt to tar issues that are fundamentally different with the same brush. The reason these three issues have often been ‘lumped together’ is the underlying concern that young people might become the main actors in activities which could potentially pose a threat to security (defined as a peaceful community life), above all in urban areas such as cities.