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The Fight Against the New Fanaticism:
A Losing Battle for the Western Intelligence Communities?
by BOB DE GRAAFF

Abstract

The author considers the term ‘modern fanaticism’ more adequate than ‘new terrorism’ to describe the political violence used by al-Qaeda and similar organizations. The question of definition is not academic, but is leading for the way in which governments try to counter the phenomenon. The author opines that nowadays too much emphasis is being laid upon a military approach, detracting from the use that can be made of intelligence and security services. However, these services are ill equipped to operate against the new fanatics. Often they still function according to principles dating from the Cold War. In stead of the secrecy that was useful in those days, they will have to adopt an attitude of sharing of information, both within their own nations and with their counterparts abroad. Refusing to do so makes it unlikely that they will win the war against an enemy that is well ahead in globalizing.