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The future Epicentre of Terrorism

Before and after the 9/11, until recently the epicentre of international terrorism was Pakistan and Afghanistan. Most of the terrorists are been trained and funded to execute so called the attacks on planned targets.For example, the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

The Algeria hostage crisis had proved that the epicentre of international terrorism led by Al Qaeda now has shifted from those countries to Africa. This because the relentless operations conducted by US led troops to eliminate the threats imposed by this group.  The success of these efforts are so evidence when Osama Bin Laden had been killed by US special forces in 2011. 

Further the persistent of West asking those countries to take progressive and effective measures put remarkable pressure to Al Qaeda to relocate itself from those countries. The most obvious choice is Africa. The vulnerabilities in terms of internal problems faced by the regimes of African nations for instance, Mali and Nigeria very much suitable for Al Qaeda to recuperate to show to the world that it's still exists and dangerous. Furthermore the money and sympathy of the local people will help Al Qaeda to accomplish their missions. The Algerian crisis is an indicator that the West now have to shift their attention to this region to dismantle the terrorists.

Then the question is where will be the next epicentre of the global terrorism. Most likely South East Asia. This because the region fulfill all requirements for Al Qaeda to shift its operational and financial  bases. Firstly, Jemmah Islamiyah (JI) and other affiliated groups of Al Qaeda already existed and had successfully launched attacks in Bali (2002), Jakarta and other parts of this region. Further two suspected terrorists had been detained in Lebanon on terrorism. A suspected JI member has been killed by Philippines security forces end of last year. A few days ago three suspected terrorists were detained by Police under new security law (Special Offences (Security Measures) Act 2012). Secondly, Al Qaeda in rooted well in this region because their ideology is well received and had created substantial sympathizers. This will allows Al Qaeda operatives act as sleepers and when there is need arises then they will launch the attacks which is very much similar to the attacks dome by London bombers in 2005. The sympathizers are also later can be transformed as the terrorists. Lastly, the financial aspects will be crucial for any success of the terrorists where in this region the existing mechanisms already work well for Al Qaeda to generate money. Therefore it can achieve it purposes quite comfortably. The money generated by front companies, religious schools, charitable organizations and criminal activities, for instance, kidnapping done by Abu Sayyaf will help the terrorists to generate sufficient to plan and execute any terrorists in any parts of the world. 

The intelligence and security agencies need to beef up and enhance strategies to curtail and eliminate Al Qaeda and JI in this region by cooperating, exchanging and using proper apparatus to detain and imprison known suspected terrorists. If they are fail on this then the consequences will be so dear.            

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