Introduction
Terrorism is a global problem that has touched almost every corner of the world. Today, many countries across the global are being ravaged and terrorized by terrorist groups. The continuous mushrooming of terror groups continue to conquer minds and territories using ideological and militant crusade. Terror groups such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, and Al Shabaab among others have blown to pieces the lives of innocent children, women, and men. Barely a month passes before another terrorist attack happens, how many more lives will be lost before action is taken? Every passing day the magnitude of terrorist threat increases and people continue to realize the danger posed by these radicalized terror groups. This paper discusses factors that have contributed to the increase in terrorist activities and the solutions that will help curb terrorism.
In the past few years, radicalized terror groups have carried out multiple terror attacks notably in Europe (particularly France and Belgium), the United States, Nigeria, and Kenya claiming lives of many innocent civilians in the process. The recent terror attack on Paris and this week attack on Brussels underline the fact that terrorist activities have tremendously escalated in Europe. In Europe, terror groups deploy suicide bombs in populated places such as concert halls, restaurants, sports stadiums, train stations, and airports. The chaotic, war-torn Middle East is the inherent problem that is escalating terrorist activities in Europe. Instability in the Middle East, Syria in particular, enables the ISIS terror group to gain military and financial resources it uses to kill innocent peoples in Europe (United States, 2015). The war in Syria between President Asad and rebel groups is the source of the unprecedented migration problem Europe is facing. The move by European leaders to allow migration of Syria refugees into their countries is now an absolute disaster. As a result, the terror threat is now bigger than ever since terrorists disguise themselves as Syria migrants only for them to turn monsters and carry out their senseless act of barbarism (Glazer, 2015).
Lack of information or unwillingness to provide vital information regarding terrorism is also a big problem. It beats logic that the Paris terror mastermind, Abdeslam, was living in Belgium until recent and could have planned further terror attacks in Europe despite him being on the most wanted list.
Intelligence needs to be increased to gather more information regarding terror activities. There is the need for incorporation of high-tech technology in the intelligence department in a bid to gather more information. Old methods of gathering information such as water-boarding are also necessary to force captured terrorist reveal plans about future attacks.
In conclusion, to eradicate terrorism, there is the need for people to understand the root and real cause of this menace. Radical ideology is the main problem that is promoting terrorist activities, and it is high time people from all walks of lives unite and fight for a common course of eradicating this menace once and for all. Solving the Syrian migration crisis as well as stopping more refugees from entering Europe and other parts of the world is essential. Peace in the Middle East is vital to solving this problem.
References
Glazer, S., & CQ Press. (2015). European migration crisis: Should the EU open its doors wider? Oxford: New internationalist.
Sude, B., Stebbins, D., Weilant, S., & Rand Corporation. (2015). Lessening the risk of refugee radicalization: Lessons for the Middle East from past crises. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation.
United States. (2015). Syria spillover: The growing threat of terrorism and sectarianism in the Middle East and Ukraine update : hearing before the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, second session, March 6, 2014.
