International Terrorism and Global Security: A Threat to Global Peace

Abstract

International terrorism is one of the major threats to global peace and security in the 21st century, which surpasses conventional military conflicts in scope and unpredictability. This paper examines the evolution of transnational terrorism, with a specific focus on the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) as a destabilising force on an exceptional scale. Through a review of empirical and theoretical literature, the study analyses the socio-political and economic dimensions of ISIS's operations, exploring how its territorial pursuits, extremist ideology, and transnational networks have disrupted regional balances in Iraq, Syria, and the broader Middle East while generating cascading security consequences worldwide. The paper further interrogates the definitional complexity of terrorism and evaluates the adequacy of international responses, as well as UN Security Council mechanisms and coalition strategies. Findings underscore that poverty, political marginalisation, and inequitable global power structures serve as fundamental enablers of terrorist recruitment and radicalisation. The study recommends reinforced international cooperation, inclusive multilateral alliances, and structural reforms addressing the socioeconomic conditions as effective measures for combating terrorism worldwide.