Posts By: Jacob Charles

Refining protection

Recent terrorist attacks against critical infrastructure have proved that oil and gas facilities remain highly vulnerable. David Lee highlights the importance of effective 24-hour perimeter surveillance, and compares the best available technologies   Our modern society depends on a constant supply of energy. Petrochemical facilities, oil and gas transmission systems, refineries, utility companies and nuclear… Read more »

Regional Threat Watch – Europe

Major Terrorist Groups IHS Jane’s Terrorism and Insurgency Centre analyses the European threat from non-Islamic terrorist groups Continuity IRA (CIRA) The Continuity IRA (CIRA) is an Irish republican paramilitary group formed in early 1995 as a reaction to the ceasefire declared by the Provisional IRA (PIRA) in August 1994. The group’s primary objective is the… Read more »

Slaughter on Ramadan

Anthony Tucker-Jones reports on the latest spate of jihadist terror atrocities and asks whether this is part of an existing terrorist trend or something new   The summer of 2015 will be remembered as the summer of the triple terror attacks during the holy month of Ramadan. Islamic militants killed innocent civilians in separate attacks… Read more »

Plugging the maritime surveillance gap

Timothy Compston warns that the lack of an effective maritime patrol aircraft has compromised the UK’s security and asks what options, if any, are available to plug this critical surveillance gap   Since the long-serving Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) last flew, the sad fact is that the UK, so often a leader in maritime… Read more »

The implications of ISIS

As the international community debate expanded military action against ISIS, Dean C Alexander evaluates the group’s success and calls for multilateral efforts to counter its message   The so-called “Islamic State” (ISIS) that has swept into power in parts of Syria and Iraq presents an imminent danger to the global community, with its capacity as… Read more »

Joining the forensic dots

Yuval Ben-Moshe argues that advances in digital forensic technology are enabling examiners to perform detailed link analysis in the field, speeding investigations and potentially saving lives   The role of a forensic lab practitioner is to work within the justice system to provide key evidence for criminal and terrorist investigations. Their responsibilities include classifying and… Read more »

Burundi: anatomy of a failed coup

Following the unsuccessful coup attempt by elements of the armed forces, John Chisholm asks how President Nkurunziza clung to power and examines the consequences for his future   While the president is away, a disgruntled general attempts to depose him after the president made a questionable political decision. It is script that has been played… Read more »

Terror meets Twitter

Paul Stokes reviews the UK government’s proposed counter-extremism bill and explains how advanced crime analytics can help in tackling the recruitment of foreign fighters via social media   The recently elected UK Conservative government is to use its new unilateral power to push through anti-extremism laws. A revived counter-extremism bill was outlined in the Queen’s… Read more »

Regional Threat Watch – Asia & the Middle East Part 1

Major Terrorist Groups Matthew Henman examines the terrorist groups presenting the largest regional security threat   The Taliban The Taliban is a militant Islamist group dedicated to the implementation and enforcement of a strict Deobandi form of sharia (Islamic law) throughout Afghanistan. The group originated in the Pashtun belt of southern and eastern Afghanistan in… Read more »

Regional Threat Watch – Asia & the Middle East Part 2

Security Hotspots IHS Country Risk assesses the most volatile security hotspots in the region   South China Sea: rising tensions China has laid claims on most of the islets in the South China Sea (SCS), most of which are actively disputed by the other states in the region, including Vietnam and the Philippines. Although several… Read more »