5 - How to Counter “New” Terrorism

Summary

SEARCH FOR NEW SECURITY PARADIGM IN THE POST-COLD WAR ERA

One of the most distinctive characteristics of the post-Cold War era is the substantial reduction of inter-state conflicts involving massive use of physical force. On the other hand, the so-called non-conventional security threats, such as terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), religious and ethnic conflicts, environmental degradation, drug trafficking, piracy, and organized crimes, have become more immediate security concerns. Such a transition has expanded the scope of security well beyond simple military security. In other words, we are living in an era of comprehensive security. Before these new security challenges can be met effectively and successfully, the establishment of a new security paradigm and approaches is necessary.

Such new security challenges are not confined, or limited, geographically to a specific region or country. Rather they are challenges to humanity as a whole, or transnational security challenges. These challenges cannot be handled by any single nation alone, as traditional alliance structures are too rigid, slow, and reactive to cope with new security challenges.

On the other hand, military responses in countering new security challenges over the past several years since the 11 September incident have been dominant. Furthermore, due to the progress made in science and technology, especially information, communication, and computers, the level and magnitude of damage from the actual use of force have substantially decreased. As such, the possibility of actual use of force, including frequency and form, is rather likely to increase. It implies that more physical means are nowadays available for the attainment of political and military objectives. Thus, we are more tempted to use force before exhausting other means.

In sum, with the changes in the security environment and the emergence of new security challenges, a new security paradigm reflecting the nature and magnitude of the current and upcoming security challenges is needed. Among these new security challenges, terrorism requires immediate intellectual attention and strategic response.