An age-old threat gets a new voice

Since September 11, 2001, attack in America, the modern world became aware that terrorism can occur anywhere and at any time. No country is immune from terrorism. There is no magic pill that keeps it away.

Australia only recently was subject to a lone terrorist in Sydney who conducted his heinous siege in a small café with no warning.  To have such an act happen on Australian soil asks the question why are there security and strategy gaps?.

But this goes much deeper. The recent attack in France shows that world leaders were asleep while the terrorists were planning strategies into the late hours of the night. While Boko Haram carrried out atrocities in Nigeria, world leaders still asleep. Asia itself is now embroiled in this turmoil with Japanese residents taken hostages by Isis in Syria.

The media has regular reports of various forms of terrorism, with anything from reports of investigations leading to arrests to sickening acts of terrorism.

There is a call to our world leaders to adopt new strategies. The current strategies must be improved and coordinate with Middle East countries, to ensure that leaders and security agencies have ongoing communication and develop strategies aligned with modern technology.

It is essential that any strategy does not create public hysteria or prejudice and not target any culture or religion as the perpetrator of terrorism. There is a disturbing trend, fuelled by social media, to link Islam with terrorism -- this must be shouted down.

Terrorism has no colour or religion. This does not help the world solve its problems. The root cause has to be identified to find what triggers and motivates young men and also women to become part of terrorist groups who blindly follow the perverted causes of its leaders.

For Australia, there are gaps in the immigration laws that have allowed persons not willing to accept the Australian way of life. The laws must be tightened to limit the entry of people with terrorist mentality and ideas.

King Abdullah a big loss for the whole World

The Middle East Times International is saddened to learn of the passing of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah. He was a reformer, an advocate for peace and a strong advocate for women.

Editor in Chief