ABSTRACT
September 11, 2001 confronted the world with the question: How could this happen to the only remaining superpower, given its advanced technical infrastructure? After a period of retrospection, investigations and an official commission, the American public and the world had to accept that the lack of human intelligence had made the inexpensive and low-technology attack possible. The guidance provided by the United Nations and regional and sub-regional institutions since 9/11 focused the attention of the international community on formal counter-terrorism structures, with specific reference to counter-terrorism legislation and bilateral and multilateral agreements. The primary focus of these initiatives is to criminalize acts of terrorism and to enable governments and their security forces to share information. Despite being a step towards effective regional and international counter-terrorism strategy, a very important national element is excluded from these initiatives: the average citizen whom these formal initiatives seek to protect. Most governments and their security forces consider the “war against terrorism” as their sole mandate. The need for secrecy in intelligence-driven counter-terrorism operations is recognized, but a balanced approach is also necessary. However, the lack of knowledge of the threat and reality of terrorism could equally lead to a sense of exclusion, with subsequent frustration and instability. Important lessons could be learned in ways to implement a more effective strategy in preventing and combating terrorism by appreciating the difference between the Algerian experience, with its confined, immediate threat to life, and the current US-led “war against terrorism.” While the many complexities of the Algerian conflict are beyond the scope of this chapter, it is important to recognize the devastating effect of the conflict on the Algerian population as a whole. Community members became actively involved as a result of a feeling of desperation. The Algerian inclusion of its population
faced obstacles, as will be explained, but a culture of participation and responsibility that developed during the war for liberation was nurtured.
