ABSTRACT
In a very real sense the terrorists have succeeded, since in many cases they have literally frightened democratic governments into attitudes of accommodation and appeasement. Neither the international community collectively nor nations of the free world individually have shown much sign that they recognize the threat of international terrorism; and still less that they have any idea how to deal with it. International terrorism is, indeed, at war with liberal democracy, and it is upon that premise that the people should be organizing our countermeasures against it. An effective intelligence operation has three elements the collection of information, its processing or collation, and finally its quick dissemination to those who need it for operational purposes. Having set up an effective intelligence system, it is important to establish a sympathetic and supportive climate of public opinion. Indeed, it is possible to argue that developments which have made international terrorism possible may eventually result in fundamental change in the world's political structure.
