Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate discusses best-of-breed counter-terrorism strategies

 The pressing issue of "Counterterrorism: Assessing Policies and Exploring Scenarios" was the focus of the final panel of the Third Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate where experts provided novel insights on best-of-breed strategies to counter the rising global threat.

In a bid to highlight dedicated efforts and failures in confronting regional and international terrorism, the ADSD panel was also devoted to discussions focusing on past, present, and future counter-terrorism efforts to address the constantly shifting puzzle of terrorism.

ADSD speakers Michael Chertoff, Former United States Secretary of Homeland Security, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of The Chertoff Group, Koenraad Dassen, Minister Counsellor for the European Union Delegation to Jordan, Dr. Mustafa Al Ani, Director of the Department of Security and Defence Studies at Gulf Research Centre and moderator Mohamed Al Hammadi, Editor-in-Chief of Al Ittihad Newspaper, agreed that by coming together, the world’s solution-based and in-depth discussions, and interchanges of ideas and strategies will aid our overall understanding to countering terrorism in its diverse and evolving forms. They also stressed countries that want to combat terrorism and cross-border threats must look at the root causes of this global phenomenon.

"The U.S. has relatively succeeded in its bid to contain terrorism domestically and that was reflected in anticipating and foiling dozens of terror attacks before they were carried out. However, there’s still incompetence regarding understanding the real motives behind extremists, including those coming from the U.S. and EU, to join terror organisations. Analyzing mechanisms of recruitment adopted by these terror groups is also vital," Chertoff pointed out.

"Intelligence and information gathering is a decisive tool in counter-terrorism efforts as terrorist groups are becoming super users of advanced technology and its applications", Chertoff warned.

Dassen defended the EU-counter terrorism policies by saying "European countries have had their bloody share of terror before many in this world do. The Middle East is experiencing an unprecedented time of conflicts and turmoil and we have to show all the commitment and support to the people of this region".

"The EU-counter terrorism strategies and plans are based on the inclusion of security and intelligence capabilities with efforts to drying up sources of funding terror. Still, we need a more solid strategy and diplomatic approach to end old conflicts such as the Arab-Israeli one and emerging wars such as that in Syria.", Dassen added.

Dr. Al Ani saw that "Arab states were more successful in combating terrorism compared to many European countries, though the world has failed in countering terrorism due to neglecting the real causes of this phenomena."

"As long as using force is the only option adopted by many around the world, the roots of terrorism remain untouched and the influx of increasing numbers of terrorists into terror groups and organisations across the globe will continue", Dr. Al Ani explained.