Join forces to combat ‘third wave of terror’
Former Iraqi PM suggests Arab world must prepare to counter new threats to stability
Arab countries must band together to stave off an anticipated third wave of terrorism, suggested former Iraqi prime minister Dr Ayad Alawi, at the Arab Strategy Forum in Dubai yesterday.
In its 11th edition, the forum brought together regional and international experts, politicians, economists, intellectuals, and strategic analysts to forecast the state of the world in 2019.
Speaking as a panellist, the survivor of three assassination attempts while holding office in Iraq did not identify future terrorist threats or organisations, but said a new generation of extremists awaits in the near future.
Dr Alawi was named the first head of the Iraqi interim government in 2004, after the fall of Saddam Hussain and is a founding member of the Iraqi National Accord party.
Speaking at the session ‘State of the Arab World Politics in 2019’, Dr Alawi warned “we’re expecting a third generation of terrorists” following years of Al Qaida and Daesh. “I believe what is coming is greater and will cause great damage to our countries and region,” he said.
The best defence for the region, Dr Alawi said, is a good offence through a coordinated approach to counter terrorism.
He said: “There must be an Arab system that discusses and studies what’s going on. This should not be just symbolic: we need to immunise them [countries] and support their role. The conflict is between extremism and moderation.”
Panellist Nasser Judeh, former deputy prime minister and former foreign affairs minister of Jordan, said that countries in the Arab world need “to look at what is feeding terrorism” to counter further threats.
He added that improving social and economic conditions will go a long way in countering new movements sworn to disrupting peace in the region.
He lauded the region, noting they “have achieved a lot of victories combating terrorism”, but added that “there are still sleeping cells which exist.”
Nabil Fahmy, former Egyptian foreign minister, said countering terrorism will take an extended effort. “Terrorism is a cancer that has impacted this region more than any other region. The solution is to raise our voices — what do we want as Arabs?” he said.