Nineteen years after the 9/11 attacks, terrorist cells such as Al Qaeda are “stronger than ever”, an expert has warned.
Deakin University security analyst Greg Barton told nine.com.au that despite the coronavirus disruption, terrorism remains a lurking menace and one that is adept at changing to circumstances.
He said despite the US and its allies, including Australia, waging a US$6 trillion ($8 trillion) ‘War on Terror’ in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, they had suffered temporary setbacks.
“Research shows the underlying trend line is that groups such as Al Qaeda have grown steadily stronger over the past two decades.
“The 9/11 attacks were an audacious act by Al Qaeda and they resulted in a massive response by the US military. The group was decimated – and its leader Osama Bin Laden was killed.
“But they have come back to a point where they are stronger than ever.”
Prof Barton said pandemic had disrupted terrorist activity in some areas: for example, stricter border controls made it harder for operatives to penetrate countries.❐
