ABSTRACT
It would be a serious mistake to exaggerate the importance of the new terrorism of the Al Qaeda movement. There are far greater long-term threats to the security of the human race, dangers also created by human activity: threats to the global environment, for example, should be a far higher priority in the agenda for international cooperation and action. Nor should we overlook the dangers posed by the possibility of warfare between states possessing nuclear weapons. However, the global jihad waged by the Al Qaeda movement is the most dangerous international non-state terrorist threat the world has ever confronted, and we should bear in mind that it has had a huge impact on international relations, in addition to the large-scale loss of life and economic disruption it has caused. Nor should we overlook the danger of terrorism triggering a wider conflict. After all, it was a militant supporter of a Balkan terrorist group who triggered the outbreak of the First World War by assassinating Archduke Ferdinand.
