The Blackwell Companion to Globalization

Chapter 33

Globalization and International Terrorism

GUS MARTIN

The Security Council, reaffirming the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, determined to combat by all means threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, recognizing the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence in accordance with the Charter, unequivocally condemns in the strongest terms the horrifying terrorist attacks which took place on 11 September 2001; calls on all States to work together urgently to bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of these terrorist attacks and stresses that those responsible for aiding, supporting or harbouring the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of these acts will be held accountable; … expresses its readiness to take all necessary steps to respond to the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, and to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations. (United Nations Security Council, Resolution 1368 (2001), 12 September 2001)

United Nations Resolution 1368 symbolizes a moment of global solidarity against the perpetrators of mass casualty terrorism. At that moment, it seemed that the family of nations was prepared to form a united front against terrorism that would work cooperatively to defeat terrorist networks, and support ‘the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence’. Unfortunately, such solidarity was fleeting, and ...