Terrorism existed before the 9/11 events. However, terrorism has changed in various ways since 2001. First, after 2001, the world has witnessed a surge in the number of terror attacks. After 2002, attacks heightened with 2007 recording a peak. The increase is attributed to the rise of violence in Iraq. Moreover, between 2011 and 2014, global terrorism escalated, increasing deaths from terror attacks (Institute for Economics & Peace, 2019). The rise coincided with the Syrian civil war and the emergence of Boko Haram and ISIL terror groups.
Second, most of the terror attacks in the post-9/11 period have been taking place in Muslim countries. Before 2002, Muslim-based countries experienced less terrorism. However, after 9/11, these countries experienced a high number of international and domestic terror cases. Terrorists seem to be more widespread in these countries in recent years. Research indicates that in 2001, terrorism affected only 51 countries. However, that number rose to 60 countries in 2012 and 79 countries in 2016 (Institute for Economics & Peace, 2019).
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Third, most Jihadi groups have changed their strategic decisions since 9/11. They have shifted their target base from foreign powers to enemies near them (Smith & Zeigler, 2017). A majority of western countries have strengthened their defensive measures forcing terrorists to change their target base. Moreover, the increase in domestic upheavals in Muslim countries may have encouraged Jihadi groups to change their target base.
Finally, before 9/11, only one country recorded more than one thousand deaths from terror attacks in a year. Nevertheless, after 9/11, the world has witnessed the deaths of more than one thousand people in at least four countries every year due to terrorism. Furthermore, before 2001, infrastructure attacks were the most common terror tactics (Institute for Economics & Peace, 2019). However, since 9/11, terrorists have been using bombings, explosions, and armed assault as their most popular attack tactic.
References
Institute for Economics & Peace. (2019). Global Terrorism Index 2019: Measuring the impact of terrorism. Sydney: Institute for Economics & Peace.
Smith, M., & Zeigler, S. (2017). Terrorism before and after 9/11 – a more dangerous world? Research and Politics , 1-8.
