• Terrorism

Terrorism

This paper presents an investigation into the underlying reasons for acts of terrorism in Egypt. It analyses the re-emergence of the threat of terrorism in Egypt and reflects on the primary role players.

Terrorism cannot be studied or understood in isolation. It is essential to assess its development and impact in a historical context. Individuals will not become involved or resort to extreme tactics such as terrorism without reason or prior indication. Acts of terrorism are immediately attributed to al-Qaeda, as the beginning and end of all terrorism, without recognising domestic terrorism and its long historical development. It is only after addressing these conditions that the cycle of terrorism can be broken.

The key concluding points include: 

• the underlying reasons for terrorism throughout Egypt’s history were not addressed, which led to three cycles of violence 
• related to Egypt’s legislative framework, the deteriorating security situation in Egypt revealed that counter-terrorism operations based on a strategy of mass arrests are counter-productive 
• if there is one lesson that one could learn from Egypt’s confrontation with terrorism, it is that history repeats itself, urging governments and scholars to learn from previous mistakes 
• an excessive strategy is not the most effective medium- to long-term solution to terrorism. It might be time to consider engagement with those opposing government and individuals that resorted to acts of terrorism, as part of a strategy to address the underlying causes of terrorism.
  

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