Small states and the challenge of terrorism

Abstract

A resurgence of regionalism in contemporary IR has assisted in uniting global states in the War on Terrorism. Small States are highly limited in resources, and vulnerable to implement measures of security and stability to its citizens. Due to the dynamism of 21st Century conflict and International terrorism, Small States are significantly dependant on the assistance of IOs and Larger States to combat the challenges faced. The report of this study analysis the positions of Small State foreign policy vis-a-vis terrorism, measures which exist to combat terrorism, the impacts of such attacks, the actors in the GWOT, and determining factors which increase or reduce threat to the state. As identified in the study, the challenge of terrorism is unique to each state, and each state must make the necessary advancements to reduce the threat of terror, the reality of fear, and limit the potential ability for terrorists to strike. Five (5) Small States are used as case studies in this report, and were specifically chosen for the diverse circumstances they face to overcome the challenge of terrorism. To gather data on the topic study, communication were carried out via e-mail with International Journalists, Terrorism Analysts, Government Agencies, Ministries and Departments. This was done in the aim of gathering relevant information on the position of each state. Topics which were considered range from the geographic location, population density, land area, International/Regional Relations, political history, National legislation, and security demographics of the Small States. This data will be used to address the current challenge of each case study to terrorism. In addition, the study also seeks to provide recommendations and strategies for Small States to counter terrorism. As a result, additional data on other factors which bare a significant potential to the topic of terrorism was also investigated. Such issues include human development, awareness, local corruption, civil unrests, displaced persons, communication infrastructure, local terrorist activity, Government stability, and military capacity. As a methodology for this report, the above-mentioned aspects were all researched and discussed. The data collected will later be analyzed, and allow the creation of a Terrorism Index which will serve as a scale to measure the degree of threat each state is faced with. This index also individually identifies the factors which are stressing the vulnerabilities of the Small States, and distinguish the matters issues which are contributing to limit the ability to combat terrorism. Finally, the report concludes with a recommendation of tools which can be used by 8mall States in their objective to thwart International terrorism.