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TERRORISM
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September 11, 2001 - "The Internet played a key role" |
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The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, signified the beginning of a new era. The brutal and contemptuous violent acts on New York, Washington DC, and Pittsburgh revealed a threat to international peace that had gone virtually unnoticed by the general public until that time. It was a threat of global proportions.
In the years before the attacks in the USA, security agencies and secret service organisations from around the world observed and documented the current developments in the area of Islamic fundamentalism with great concern. But the global magnitude and the logistic expertise with which the terrorists attacks on September 11, 2001, were carried out surprised even seasoned terror experts and shook the civilised world to its core.
At the same time, these attacks showed just how intensively terrorists and religious fundamentalists use the Internet. Still: The masterminds behind the attacks – first and foremost Osama bin Laden – were thousands of miles away. From these remote locations, they directed and planned the deployment of their terrorist cells to a great extent with the help of new technologies - such as the Internet.
In November, 2001, bin Laden biographer Hamid Mir reported on the sophistication of the computer systems used by the al-Qaeda followers: “Every other al-Qaeda member carried his notebook computer together with a Kalashnikov under his arm,” says Mir, describing his observations during the fall of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
But al-Qaeda network groups are not the only ones using the worldwide data communications network; other fundamentalist movements are making use of the technology as well. They utilise the Internet primarily for the purpose of self-promotion and propaganda, but communication and coordination are two other common usages. In addition, they generally use modern encryption methods in order to protect information from being intercepted by outsiders.
As early as 2001, a strong increase was detected in the number of discussion forums and chat rooms that facilitated worldwide communication between extremists. The Internet replaces meetings between conspirators, reduces the risk of being arrested, offers a pool of recruits, and is the ideal instrument for terrorist "public relations". Yet this development is neither novel nor has it been unforeseeable.
naiin in the fight against terrorism
naiin’s main mission is to uncover and directly engage in the fight against terrorist organisations on the Internet. This includes the constant observation and documentation of such activities as well as cooperation with criminal prosecutors and security authorities worldwide.
At the same time, naiin sees its duty in creating and asserting transnational standards in the economic world in order to deal with these types of activities. Furthermore, educating the public is the central focus of the initiative's work. The objective is to create an audience that is watchful and alert with regard to the subject of terrorism.
Moreover, the work of naiin is designed to prevent government and political parties from implementing senseless measures that offend civil rights based on the assumption that they are making an important contribution in the fight against terrorism. It is important that freedom and values are defended in the face of terrorism and not eliminated by it.
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>> Support naiin | >> Report terrorist activities!
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Current information on this subject:
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>> Berlin wants to fight terrorism online
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