Terrorism and Extremism

The 21st century has seen a number of significant developments in the threat of terrorism and extremism, reflecting the evolving nature of these challenges and the rapid pace of technological advancement.

Some of the key highlights include:

• Increased use of technology: In the 21st century, it is expected that terrorists and extremists will increasingly make use of technology as a means of planning, organising, and conducting attacks. This will likely involve the use of the internet and social media to recruit, radicalise, and communicate with supporters, as well as the use of encryption and other technologies to evade detection and disruption by law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
  
• Increased focus on asymmetric tactics: In the 21st century, it is expected that terrorists and extremists will increasingly focus on asymmetric tactics, such as guerrilla warfare and terrorist attacks, as a means of achieving their objectives. This will likely involve the use of small arms, improvised explosive devices, and other low-tech weapons, as well as the targeting of civilians and critical infrastructure.
  
• Increased focus on transnational and global attacks: In the 21st century, it is expected that terrorists and extremists will increasingly focus on transnational and global attacks as a means of achieving their objectives. This will likely involve the use of international networks to plan and conduct attacks, as well as the targeting of civilians and critical infrastructure in multiple countries.
  
• Increased focus on lone-wolf attacks: In the 21st century, it is expected that terrorists and extremists will increasingly focus on lone-wolf attacks as a means of achieving their objectives. This will likely involve the use of individuals who act alone, without direct guidance or support from a larger organisation, to plan and conduct attacks.
  
• Increased focus on ideological and religious extremism: In the 21st century, it is expected that terrorists and extremists will increasingly focus on ideological and religious extremism as a means of achieving their objectives. This will likely involve the use of religious or ideological justifications to justify violence and the targeting of civilians and critical infrastructure.
  
• Increased focus on online radicalisation: In the 21st century, it is expected that terrorists and extremists will increasingly focus on online radicalisation as a means of recruiting and radicalising supporters. This will likely involve the use of the internet and social media to reach a wider audience and to disseminate extremist ideologies and propaganda.

• Increased focus on returnees: In the 21st century, it is expected that terrorists and extremists will increasingly focus on returnees as a means of infiltrating countries and conducting attacks. This will likely involve the use of individuals who have travelled to conflict zones, such as Syria and Iraq, to gain combat experience and training, and then return to their home countries to conduct attacks.
  
• Increased focus on drone attacks: In the 21st century, it is expected that terrorist and extremist organisations will increasingly focus on drone attacks as a means of achieving their objectives. This will likely involve the use of small, commercially available drones to conduct surveillance and deliver explosive payloads.
  
• Increased focus on urban warfare: In the 21st century, it is expected that terrorist and extremist organisations will increasingly focus on urban warfare as a means of achieving their objectives. This will likely involve the use of complex and heavily populated urban areas as a battlefield, making it more difficult for security forces to locate and neutralise the attackers. Urban warfare also allows for the exploitation of the civilian population, using them as human shields or using their presence to limit the options for security forces.
  
• Increased focus on mass casualty attacks: In the 21st century, it is expected that terrorist and extremist organisations will increasingly focus on mass casualty attacks as a means of achieving their objectives. This will likely involve the use of tactics such as suicide bombings, vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) and other methods that are designed to cause a high number of casualties and inflict maximum damage.
  
• Increased focus on cyber-attacks: In the 21st century, it is expected that terrorist and extremist organisations will increasingly focus on cyber-attacks as a means of achieving their objectives. This will likely involve the use of hacking, malware, and ransomware to disrupt critical infrastructure, steal sensitive information and spread propaganda.
  
• Increased focus on economic and financial targets: In the 21st century, it is expected that terrorist and extremist organisations will increasingly focus on economic and financial targets as a means of achieving their objectives. This will likely involve the use of tactics such as cyber-attacks, extortion and financial fraud to disrupt economies and weaken governments.

It’s important to note that these are just a few examples of the developments that are expected to be important in terrorism and extremism in the 21st century. Other developments may also emerge as the global security landscape continues to evolve. It’s also important to note that the tactics and strategies used by terrorist and extremist organisations can change over time, and the priorities and focus of these organisations may change depending on the global political and economic situation.