LONDON, 09 July 2007 – The threat from terrorism has increased in a number of countries, including: Canada, France, India, Morocco, Thailand, UAE and the UK as the threat from jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda evolves. More effective counter-terrorism measures and the end of long-term terror campaigns have meant that 23 countries have a reduced threat of terrorism, including Cyprus, Ireland, Israel and Jordan.

These are the findings of Janusian Security Risk Management (a subsidiary of The Risk Advisory Group, an acknowledged leader in risk management) which has collaborated with Aon to provide the analysis for this year’s terror threat map.

David Claridge, Managing Director of Janusian Security Risk Management, stated:

’Janusian is very proud to work with Aon on this annual terrorism threat product. Our analysts have a breadth of experience in assessing the threat from terrorism around the world. Producing the map has allowed us to develop this expertise’.

‘There are a number of changes from last year and these reflect the fluid and evolving nature of the threat. There is a real fear that those foreigners fighting for Al-Qaeda in Iraq will return to their home countries in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe and bring with them extensive tactical expertise learnt in Iraq. The change in name of the Jihadist terrorist organisation, GSPC, to Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has coincided with a surge in terrorist attacks and plots in both Algeria and Morocco, including an Al-Qaeda style high casualty coordinated attack on Algiers.  

‘Elsewhere, the threat of a domestic terror campaign in Spain continues with the end of an ETA ceasefire and in the UK recent terror attacks and plots indicate that the threat of mass casualty attacks continues.’

Terrorism threat is defined as an assessment of the intent, capability and likelihood of terrorists staging attacks. All assessments for the Terrorism Threat Map 2007 draw upon open and privileged intelligence data. Using this data, a panel of analysts from Janusian Security Risk management has assigned threat levels by scoring each country according to the following threat indicators for 2007:

• known and active groups or networks operating in a given country
• their aims and stated objectives
• their track record of terrorist activity, including target selection
• their operational capabilities to stage attacks
• the likely erosion of terrorist capabilities through the current counter-terrorism regime in the given country

A copy of the map can be obtained from www.aon.co.uk