10 years after the Sept 11 attacks, we are still not safe

Today marks a decade since the September 11 tragedy, which has greatly impacted on our daily lives. Although the events took place at the World Trade Centre, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania, the repercussions have been global, felt in every corner of the world. The myriad responses and measures that the US initiated have become international norms and standards. In the beginning, only friends and allies agreed to these new frameworks, which compromised their national sovereignty. As time went by, additional countries - including former foes - joined in, transforming a campaign that began as a struggle against al-Qaeda into a broader scheme of countering extremists of all creeds and beliefs. Apart from individual countries, the UN, regional and sub-regional organisations have adopted similar countermeasures to prevent large-scale attacks, whether by elements within their societies or imported.

These days, the question is often asked: Is the world safer today? Obviously, the answer is no; "out there" somewhere there are still grievances and hatreds buried in the hearts of common people. Whether they are living in Yemen, Sudan, Solo in Indonesia, or in the Nordic countries, it does not matter. It is not a question of race or geographic location. People seeking justice through violence and destruction will try to show that they mean it. Preventive measures implemented locally and internationally have been effective to an extent, but are insufficient in themselves to prevent all actions again innocent civilians. All over the world, the search for the right balance between liberty and security has proved extremely difficult.

For the past 10 years, the US has led the fight against al-Qaeda. The recent killing of the group's leader, Osama bin Laden, was a serious blow to the terrorist organisation, which knows no boundary or law other than its own. Fanaticism can be found in one form or another in all religions. But al-Qaeda is a unique group of extremists with clearly professed schemes, determinations and ideals. To fight the group effectively, the US and its friends need a global strategy.

This is easier said than done. Over the past decade, it has become obvious that counter-terrorism is not the sole job of the US, even though the world's most powerful nation has been the main target. The international community has to help in creating an environment conducive to preventing terrorist acts. So far, the military aspect has been at the forefront of this effort. But now, more and more countries are working on non-military dimensions to win the hearts and minds of aggrieved groups who could easily fall prey to manipulation by extremists seeking to turn them into their most powerful weapon - suicide bombers.

It is important to realise that as long as poverty and injustice persist, there will be evil forces looking to take advantage of them. Therefore, all efforts must be made to improve the livelihoods of the poor and the disenfranchised. The trillions of dollars spent on waging war in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere could be better spent on the humane, rather than on the military, dimension of the fight against terror.