UNITED STATES, Sept 12: Terrorism has become more fragmented and diffuse, with technology reshaping the threat environment, a UN counter-terrorism official said Friday.
Terrorist groups adapt their structures, decentralize operations, diversify financing streams and take advantage of instability to sustain their influence, said Assistant Secretary-General Natalia Gherman, who heads the Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED).
Terrorist groups continue to exploit fragile governance, competition over resources, and local grievances to expand their reach. They skillfully tailor their messages and recruitment strategies to the specific vulnerabilities of men and women, Gherman told a Security Council meeting on terrorism that coincided with the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States.
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Maritime routes and critical infrastructure are also being used by terrorist groups and organized criminal networks to facilitate the movement of individuals, weapons, and illicit goods. At the same time, CTED has identified a growing role of decentralized cells, loosely connected networks, and lone actors whose pathways to violence are often less visible and more difficult to disrupt, she said.
Another trend is that terrorist groups are using new technologies not only for propaganda and recruitment, but also for attack planning, intelligence gathering and financing. In addition, unmanned aircraft systems have become more accessible, affordable and effective. Terrorist actors are employing these systems for surveillance, reconnaissance and attacks, Gherman said.
A third trend is the recruitment and exploitation of children and youth, which is emerging as a pressing challenge facing the counter-terrorism community, she said. "Terrorist and violent extremist actors are exploiting social media platforms, gaming environments, and other virtual spaces to identify vulnerabilities and recruit individuals, especially young people. Advances in artificial intelligence and automated content generation are further increasing in speed, scale, and precision."
A fourth trend is that financing networks for terrorism are becoming more decentralized and difficult to detect, Gherman said.
"Traditional methods such as cash couriers and hawala-like systems remain widely used. At the same time, terrorist actors are increasingly exploiting online payment services, crowdfunding platforms, mobile money systems, and virtual assets," she said. "Many groups continue to generate revenue through criminal activity, including extortion, kidnapping for ransom, trafficking, and the exploitation of natural resources."
The nexus between terrorism and organized crime remains a prominent feature of several contemporary conflict environments, she noted, calling for continued commitment to prevention and preparedness, and to international cooperation and solidarity in the fight against terrorism.
