Recent suicide attacks have alerted the world to the fact that terrorist groups aligned to al-Qaeda may have been weakened but not destroyed. In the United States the military are on high alert for the possibility of renewed attacks.
In the UK, concrete barriers have been placed around Parliament to protect it from vehicles packed with explosives.
How should the world respond to this new wave of suicide bombing? If intelligence gathering is our only protection against terrorist attacks how useful has it been?
We discussed this issue in our global phone-in programme Talking Point. Our guests were former director of CIA Admiral Stansfield Turner and Mounzer Sleiman, Lebanese specialist in Arab security and military issues.
This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.
The following comments reflect the balance of views we have received:
The problem of weak, corrupt, ineffective Middle Eastern governments needs to be addressed if we ever hope to defeat terrorism. Therefore, the "hands on" approach taken by the Bush administration has my full support.
Andrew, New Zealand
 We are a very destructive species  |
Terrorism is simply the activity of people who do not have recourse to state-organised aggression. We are a very destructive species with a tendency to accept the weakest 'moral' justifications for unleashing violent action against others. Why are westerners shocked that people want to kill them? How is this recent shocking terrorism different from all the lethal meddling that western governments have been doing around the world for generations? You reap what you sow I'm afraid.
Piers., Poland Terrorism will ultimately only be completely overcome when competing, irrational, religious beliefs are overcome by a more rational education. Religions have been and remain the largest source of irrational prejudice, brutal discrimination and inter group violence, plaguing the world. When all religions stand down from their irrational claims as to privileged and special access to ultimate truth, then peace on Earth will become a possible reality.
Robert Morpheal, Canada
Terrorism cannot be ended by a quick-fix solution. There are as many reasons for terrorism as there are terrorist groups. The war on terrorism appears to simply be the last desperate act of a west that has become so apathetic and discompassionate that we find it easier to demonise and kill than to take the difficult path of understanding the problem and its causes.
Shaun, UK
We must accept and practice the global necessity of fairness for everyone Brian Hunter, Bournemouth |
Terrorism can and will only be defeated when we identify its true causes and admit our role in it. Only then shall we be able to address it truthfully and sincerely and indeed effectively. I will put it quite simply like this: we need to replace the 18th century principles and 19th century prejudices embodied in the so-called free market dogmas and the idea of the survival of the fittest. In short we must accept and practice the global necessity of fairness for everyone. Because not only fairness and prosperity go hand in hand but also two together serves the interests of peace. No I'm not a bleeding-heart liberal nor a left-wing lunatic. I'm just a clued-in economist.
Brian Hunter, Bournemouth, England We should listen to the terrorists to find out what they want. At the same time find out who is manipulating these people. It is usually for political and economic gain that the terrorists are being cynically used. As long as young people have idealisms whether political or religious they will always find themselves as cannon fodder for the truly evil. Containment is probably the best we shall ever be able to achieve. Getting rid of evil only having it surface somewhere else is the story of the human race.
Bill (ex UK), Eastern Passage Canada
If the US did as many of you have wished here on this site, they would talk and negotiate with Islamic terrorists to figure out why they are so upset. Well, the truth is already known the Islamic terrorists are upset because Western civilization still exists. The only way to make them content is to obliterate Western culture and have a mass execution of all members of any religion other than Islam. Hey, good idea peace-nicks!
Jason, USA
We can only stay vigilant Patricia, Toronto, Canada |
I don't think we can defeat terrorism. It's born out of hatred and fanaticism and as long as people feel these two emotions, terrorism will thrive. We can only stay vigilant and continue to track down terrorists wherever possible.
Patricia, Toronto, Canada As a Christian and a humanitarian, I feel very guilty when people have to sacrifice their lives as suicide bombings in order to defend themselves against injustice.
Zowadoe Mehn, New Carrollton, USA
The so-called terrorism is a direct response to the arrogant manner in which the United States is seeking to impose its will on the world. Terrorism will die a natural death when the US learns that humility and friendship are better weapons than smart and not-so smart bombs.
Ezra, Texas
Less than a month after the US announced it would pull its military out of Saudi Arabia, al-Qaeda bombed civilian targets in Riyadh and Casa Blanca. So much for the idea that the terrorists can be appeased by concessions.
Shane Watts, Utah, USA
Fighting terror with armies never works |
One man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter. We must talk and find out the real motivations behind the terror, or the cycle will never end. Fighting terror with armies never works.
Mark, Glasgow, UK Most suicide bombings would stop as soon as the Israel/Palestine dilemma is solved. But as the word "compromise" is incorrectly assumed to mean "giving in" to the other side, the bombings will continue.
Ajana, Hong Kong
If we only spent a little part of the energy and money we are spending now on this "war on terror" on the defeat of the real killers in the world - malaria, tuberculosis and SIDA.
Iris S, Hannover, Germany
Whereas the causes of 'terror' are as numerous as there are 'terrorist' groups, a common chorus among such the Islamic 'terror' groups, is the duplicity of west in dealing with the injustice that is Palestine. Until that issue is solved fairly, terror groups will always have a rallying cry.
Almustafa bin Said, Singapore
The killing of innocent people by armies will give terrorists a reason for retaliation Andrew Dalgleish, Irvine, Scotland |
The killing of innocent people by armies will only give terrorists a valid reason for retaliation. Only by fighting them on our own morale high ground of non-violent means can we achieve world peace. Remember Ghandi.
Andrew Dalgleish, Irvine, Scotland The media can start by calling them by their name... Terrorists, and NOT militants, guerrillas, armed militias etc... By calling them anything else legitimizes their acts. It is about time the media faces its responsibility!
Raphael Kahn, Alkmaar, Netherlands
Justice and fairness will wipe out terrorism. If East Timor could gain independence with the support of the international community then why not Palestine? Double standards will lead to more terrorism.
Ismail Mahroof, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
If Sharia law would move into the 21st century, most terrorism would stop. Stoning a woman to death for getting pregnant outside of marriage is an atrocity. But the Imams won't allow this, because it would degrade their absolute power.
Paul, Tampa, USA
Only way to stop retaliation is to stop state terrorism and allow Muslims to practice our religion freely even if it means applying Sharia law in line with Koran. The majority of Muslims want it. Why don't others leave us alone?
Mohamed, Sri Lanka
Hopeless people use every mean to justify their goals Bahoz Aras, Leuven- Belgium |
It is very simple, we can defeat international terrorism by being fair in dealing with conflict issues. Hopeless people can use every mean to justify their goals. In fact it's not only hopeless people, but also supper power can use every mean to justify its goals.
Bahoz Aras, Leuven, Belgium To commit suicide bombing is not terrorism but indeed it is a fight against invaders and oppressors in any country around the world.
Ahmad Wa, Heart, Afghanistan
Terrorism is condemned by every creature who has a touch of humanity. We should look for the reason and treat it from the root and not superficially. If USA was fair in solving the Mid-East problems and not acting in unfair, meaning biased towards Israel, the problem would have been solved long time ago, and everyone would have helped US and the whole world in eliminating those terrorists.
Rita, Kuwait
Terrorism exists because of religious fanaticism. Religion makes people act irrational and poverty, Israel, a war in Iraq, or a perception of oppression are cheap excuses made up by their sympathisers. When countries like Belgium are against the war in a Iraq and the state of Israel in general they still saw their embassy hit by al-Qaeda this shows that if you are not Muslim or even if you are Muslim who is tolerant to the west you are a target. Bad behaviour should not be rewarded and Bin Laden must be made aware that our foreign policy will not be built around terrorist blackmail.
Colin Keesee, USA
The good wins always against the bad. Humans will one day live in peace, just look at Europe where the freedom is more advanced than anywhere else. We just have to follow the right way, the good way and terrorism will be defeated.
Sebastien, Copenhagen
If we stop selling explosives, arms and tanks to dictators, take a step back and gain an informed impression of the bigger picture then maybe their victims will stop trying to destroy us. It boils down to greed on our behalf.
Mike Dancer, Reigate, UK
The fight against terrorism has to be fought by ground forces |
Foreign oppressors will always be treated as invaders and not rescuers. The fight against terrorism has to be fought by ground forces. Rich and developed countries should help poorer countries curb terrorist activities on their soil rather than raising military attacks and disrespecting their sovereignty in the name of a "war on terror".
Sachin Vats, India After 19 years in the Middle East and seeing both sides, I cannot see a solution that gives control of Jerusalem to any single country because of the importance to all the major religions. Consideration must be given to making the city a self governing area similar to the Vatican City and thus enabling freedom of access for all the religions. If the UN took over Jerusalem and moved some of their functions there to provide local employment and income then the rest of the problem would resolve itself and the excuse for al-Qaeda would be removed.
Chris Thompson, UK resident working abroad
Terrorism stems from poverty and hardship, not necessarily physical, but also mental. If you can brainwash a person into believing that he has no future, then you can turn him into a suicide bomber. The way to solve the problem is to invest and give the poorest people hope.
Robin, Varna, Bulgaria
Only when justice is considered over all other factors such as race, religion and wealth, then terrorism will fade away. Fighting through injustice will only strengthen terrorism.
M. Naficy, Tehran, Iran
Terrorism is now a means of self-defence |
As a matter of fact, terrorism can never be defeated because right from when time began, man has been using violence against others even when not provoked. Terrorism is now a means of self-defence. States use conventional weapons and individuals go about it the hard way (suicide attacks, etc).
Lawan Adamu, Nigeria Terrorism is condemned by every creature who has a touch of humanity. We should look for the reason and treat it from the root, not superficially. If the US was fair in solving the problems in the Middle East, the issue would have been solved a long time ago.
Rita, Kuwait
There seems to be a defeatist view emerging that says terrorism can never be defeated. Of course it can!! The British did it in Malaya (as was) and stopped a communist takeover. But it requires the local people to support this.
John Smith, UK
Show the world that the West is not an oppressor |
We need to act proactively. When the US Government talks of democracy in the Middle East, it is not seen as such there. Democracy means "law of the majority", but the Islamic idea is "law of Allah". Why not present an Islamic democracy where the law of Allah is implemented but the leaders are accountable to the people? This will show the world that the West is not an oppressor. Why not open Islamic schools that emphasise peace with the tax money of the West, instead of spending the same money for quick fixes that will not work in the long term?
Hamza Sheikh, USA What have we learned so far? That aggressive response is not the best method. Even if terrorism could be somehow "totally defeated", new groups would be created, for the root of the problem wouldn't be identified yet. Symptom and disease are two different things. We know the symptom. Let's try to find out the disease and its cure.
M. Behr, Campinas, Brazil
Terrorism should be defined first before this question is asked. It should have a legal definition maybe by the UN. But then again, the UN just legalised a military occupation of a sovereign country.
BMW, UK
The answer to terrorism - ignore it |
I say "who cares about terrorism?" You are all making terrorism more powerful by jabbering about it endlessly. How many people does terrorism kill in a year compared to, say, traffic accidents in one day? The answer to terrorism - ignore it. Spend the money on clean drinking water, and you'll save many, many more lives. Don't treat terrorism like an international crisis - treat it like the garden variety crime that it is.
Charles, Cabot, VT, USA Terrorism will never be defeated because history shows that it works for the determined to gain their objectives! Look at the last 60 years: Cyprus, Palestine under British control, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ulster, etc.
John Meakin, Greater London, England
You cannot launch a war on terrorism any more effectively than you can fight a war on drugs. People across the globe live vastly different lives and therefore have vastly different opinions. If we want to live together peacefully these opinions must be listened to and debated. To assume that those in white 'developed' countries have a better understanding of what the world wants or needs is insane (as Bush and Blair have proved very effectively over the past few months).
Craig Milne, Edinburgh, Scotland
Terrorists are just people. You can defeat a person.
Vig, UK
Intelligence gathering has failed miserably |
Intelligence gathering has failed miserably. After over 10 years of intelligence in Iraq we were assured there were WMD. Tony Blair was so convinced that Iraq was attacked without UN sanction. There were no WMD. With all the intelligence on Saddam, he is at large. Osama bin Laden at large. We cannot legislate against or stop this until the UK and US resolve the main international issues.
M Chatur, UK Fighting terrorism by attacking the "Axis of Evil" and terrorising innocent civilians in the name of "War against Terror" is tantamount to setting off a grenade in a mosque during prayers just because one wants to kill the imam! You end up breeding more terrorists!
Francis, Accra, Ghana
Terrorism will never be defeated as long as there are injustices. We should not seek to rid the world of terrorism but create a world based on justice for everyone.
George, Canada
Terrorism is an essential component in the struggle for those who are denied a voice in the real world as they experience it. Remember apartheid in South Africa where Mandela was a "terrorist".
Gordon Carter, Brighton, UK
One way it should not respond is for the so-called liberal democracies to turn themselves into authoritarian states and become the countries they say we are. Osama and his cronies must be roaring with laughter at the hysterical panic they have induced in the West, not even Hitler managed this.
Simon O'Brien, UK
We all have the same genetics, thus we are all fundamentally alike. Most people don't go to such extremes, unless their pain makes extreme behaviour seem like a viable choice. There are still terrorists (freedom fighters?) in Chechnya, even though Russia has Chechnya by the throat.
Pete Swinford, US
The extreme aggression, arrogance and ultra violence of the US will bring nothing but retaliation. Until there's a president smart enough to understand that you can't 'nuke' an ideal, we will all suffer.
Johnny, Birmingham, England
We have paid enough for oil to make those countries paradise on earth |
Middle Eastern terrorism can be stopped by freeing the patents on the non-petrochemical methods for energy the oil companies have bought for vast amounts over the years. This would remove the West's reliance on oil and therefore stop the need to be involved in countries which harbour these terrorists. We have, over the years paid enough for oil to make those countries paradise on earth. That hasn't happened due to the power and corruption of the recipients of oil money.
Stephen, England Stephen, your suggestion would not work for a simple reason: There are quite a few terrorists in countries which are not oil producers, such as Pakistan, Greece, Spain or Philippines. On the other hand there are oil producing countries where terrorism is non-existent, eg Nigeria, Brunei, Mexico, Norway, Venezuela, Azerbeijan and, last but not least - the US. We should try something else. How about stopping promulgation of Wahhabist Islam?
Merlin, Houston, USA
Simply be fair in international law, give international organisations a free hand and real support to establish peace. A new world order one for all and all for one, the US and other countries need to be fair in trade and true to democracy and human rights, lead by example and leave no room for dictators.
Ahmad Hmoud, Swindon England
Bin Laden is considered a fighter of oppression when his own family is part of the elite insider class |
Part of the reason why terrorism enjoys popular support in the Middle East is that governments are complicit in scapegoating the West for all of their problems. The US is indirectly responsible for Israel's behaviour in many ways and that needs to be changed. But Israel is not the cause of poverty in the Middle East and never has been. Governments have found the best scapegoats to be people of another religion and culture. The premise that the West must do something to eradicate poverty in the Middle East is false. It is ironic that a man like Bin Laden is considered a fighter of oppression when in reality his own family is part of the elite insider class that ensures the rich get richer and the poor starve.
Jim, USA
One thing is clear: Terrorists cannot be reasoned with. Listen to the comments of Osama and his cronies - do they ever make demands or request changes in Western foreign policy? No. They simply seek to kill and destroy. An aggressive strategy must be employed against terrorists and those who harbour and aid them.
Shane, USA
In response to Shane, USA: Taking US troops out of Saudi Arabia which is Islam's most important religious place, stopping funding state terror in Israel and an end to the Chechen war do not seem that outlandish demands. I read here all time that the only language the terrorists understand is violence. Well it seems that the only language we understand in response to terror is more terror.
Rahul, UK
Ask the inhabitants of Northern Ireland, or Sri Lanka how to deal with terrorism and you will probably hear that negotiation has brought positive results. Shane in the USA would make me smile if the issue were not so serious. Would he have had the UK take an "aggressive strategy" against the US in the '70s and '80s when American support for the IRA was widespread?
John, England
Al-Qaeda has been able to survive because it enjoys wide support in the areas where it operates |
The only way to defeat terrorism is to take away its base of popular support. Al-Qaeda has been able to survive because it enjoys wide support in the areas where it operates. If the basic injustices and problems in those areas are taken care of then there will be no reason to support the terrorists.
Dave, USA Lessons from history (Northern Ireland, South Africa and Spain) inform us that terrorism cannot be defeated militarily. Although it is correct to condemn terrorism, ultimately, the authority that terrorism is aimed against has to set up a dialogue with the terrorists. Once a dialogue is established, reasonable terrorist aims can be traded for a cessation of terrorist activity. It would be better to begin to make moves to start that dialogue in the near future than to wait ten, twenty or thirty years and have a countless number of innocent lives lost.
John Wallace, London, UK
John Wallace's view is that we should deal with terrorism by finding out what they want and then give it to them. This sounds very civilised and reasonable but has two major flaws. Firstly this rewards terrorism and therefore guarantees more of it not less. Secondly some terrorists, like al-Qaeda don't want anything, other than to be terrorists - so there is nothing to negotiate.
Al, UK
My point is that since military action against organisations such as al-Qaeda tends to make them stronger (as recent increased terrorist activity seems to indicate) they eventually need to be dealt with by other means. Consequently, we may as well start sooner rather than later in order to save the loss of innocent lives.
John Wallace, London, UK
John Wallace from London has expressed an idea which sounds good, but the approach only works with terrorists who are willing to talk. The "Roadmap to Peace" proposes a Palestinian state in less than two years, and rather than being greeted with a cessation of violence, suicide attacks have increased. It should be painfully obvious that Hezbollah and Hamas don't really want a peaceful coexistence with Israel, but a war to the finish.
Jeremy, Panama City, Florida, USA
How ironic that it is always the innocent civilians, on both sides, that are the casualties |
People do not bomb embassies or fly planes into buildings because they "don't like America's freedom" or because of "their upbringing" - despite what Mr Cheney might claim. People perform acts of terrorism in response to decades of abuse and oppression. Attacks can never be justified, but it must be appreciated that during the last 50 years successive American governments' records have not been blameless. I don't blame the people of the US, as they are not encouraged to find out what their governments get up to. How ironic that it is always the innocent civilians, on both sides, that are the casualties.
Gordon, Oxford, UK To Gordon of Oxford, UK: If terrorism is spawned from decades of abuse and oppression as you say it is, then why aren't we seeing Native Americans, Australian Aborigines, and Central African Pygmy terror groups? These people have been abused and oppressed not just for decades, but for centuries. Perhaps there's a flaw in your logic?
Nathaniel, Houston, TX
What I still don't understand is what al-Qaeda wants to achieve? All they have achieved so far is to spread terror and kill many innocent people, thereby further impoverishing millions of Muslims and making it even less likely that they will improve their economic situation. Of course, there is injustice in Muslim countries and the West is not blameless, but injustice can also be found in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Terrorism is always a cruel waste of human life, but when it has no clearly defined aims, it seems even more tragic.
Anthony, Heidelberg, Germany
Well as all of the attackers on September 11th were middle-class, well educated and had rich parents the best thing to eradicate this form of terrorism would be to prevent education and economic growth throughout the Middle East. Terrorism is certainly not due to poverty as so many people claim. However poverty is the effect when rulers are corrupt, and corruption is an ideal growth medium for terrorists.
Rob Read, UK
Terrorism can't be defeated. As long as people have the will to hurt others, terrorism will always exist. To al-Qaeda, all Europeans and Americans are considered infidels or Zionists.
Richard, USA
The only way terrorism can be defeated is by giving people something to lose Carlos Curiel, London, England |
The only way terrorism can be defeated is by giving people something to lose when they act in such despicable manner. It is well understood that most terrorists come from a poor background and are easily recruited in such circumstances. The problem is that nobody in power has the political will to do anything about it. Muslim fundamentalist and political leaders exploit this situation to remain in power, and on the other hand no companies or governments in industrialised nations will ever invest in such unstable environment.
Carlos Curiel, London, England It occurs to me that we have spent years attempting to use military force to defeat terrorism and have been largely unsuccessful. I would suggest we expend some effort trying to determine what it is that creates the need for groups to use acts of terrorism. However good the so-called intelligence gathering may be unless one removes or at least addresses the cause of the conflict we will continue to suffer from attacks.
Rodney Parish, Lampeter, Wales
The suicide bombers always quote the Koran and the jihad and say they are fighting for Allah. A martyr is one who is killed by others for his faith, a martyr is NOT one who decides to kill himself and murders innocent others! The Koran does not teach such murder. These people will not be rewarded by Allah but God will condemn them. If there was more and really strong condemnation of these truly evil people by the peaceful Muslims and especially their religious leaders, then the terrorists would lose support and they would be seen as evil pariahs.
Youssuf, Jordan
Terrorism can be defeated by removing the mask of diplomacy behind which so many murders hide.
Neil, London
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