Gulf Defence Conference emphasises security issues

The conference emphasised and discussed many issues related to terrorism and regional security threats. It is yesterdays bombing in Beirut which has proved a stark example of the reality of such threats.

Mr. Rafik Hariri, former Lebanese Prime Minister and at least nine other people were killed in a massive bomb blast in front of the Saint George hotel near the city's waterfront shortly before noon yesterday. Witnesses report that a car bomb exploded just as Mr Hariri's convoy of four black limousines and security escort vehicles passed by.

While it is currently unknown who was responsible for the blast, with no group yet taking responsibility, the spectre of state sponsored terrorism is being raised in some quarters of the press. Whether it proves to be a form of state-sponsored action or the work of some independent group will remain to be seen, however the bombing serves as a reminder that the issues of terrorism and security should be treated as a top priority by all governments.

At the Gulf Defence Conference, a Major General from the region spoke about the threats posed by terrorism and was quoted as saying that 'Terrorism is a blurred threat. It has no face, no justified claims and no land to protect. It can operate on land, sea and air and is unpredictable…its strikes are becoming more and more powerful producing devastating consequences for the region and country security'. The General is quite correct and the Beirut explosion demonstrates the devastation of terrorist activity. Governments everywhere have an obligation to effect strategies and actions to diminish the ability of terrorists to undertake such acts.

The issue of 'Asymmetric Warfare' is a hot topic at the moment and was discussed during the Conference. Assuming that yesterday's Beirut action was not indeed state-sponsored, the actions may be considered a form of Asymmetric Warfare which refers to unequal opponents such as those faced in the so called 'War on Terror'. In this situation conventional armies no longer confront other conventional armies but instead encounter opponents who, due to lack of manpower and traditional military capabilities, strike out at unexpected targets by eluding military and policing authorities. Examples of such events include the September 11th 2001 attack, and the subsequent Bali, Riyadh, Istanbul, Jakarta, and Madrid attacks. Now the Beirut bombing adds another dimension with the clear targeting of a prominent individual by employing similar 'Asymmetric Warfare' tactics.