Terroryzm a COVID-19. Doświadczenia pierwszego roku pandemii
Terrorism and COVID-19. First Year of Pandemic Experience

Summary/Abstract: RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to determine and describe the relationship between COVID-19 pandemic and the evolution of terrorism in 2020 to 2021. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: The main research problem was: how did the pandemic influence the shape of the terrorist threat? The author applied the critical literature review method, the statistical method (a descriptive review of statistical data related to the frequency of terrorist attacks and casualties), as well as general methods, such as analysis, deduction, induction and synthesis. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: On the basis of available data, the author described the effect that the pandemic had on the frequency of terrorist attacks. By referring to source materials, it was possible to ascertain how the terrorist propaganda reacted to the pandemic. An attempt was made to predict what long-term effect the current situation would have on changes in terrorists’ strategies. RESEARCH RESULTS: Globally, the frequency of terrorist attacks is decreasing. However, in the regions with the most potential for conflict (the Middle East and Africa) there has been an opposite tendency: the number of attacks has increased since the pandemic started. In the western world (mainly the USA) the decreased threat of jihadist terrorism is accompanied by increased threat from extreme right-wing groups. Different centers actively reinterpret the run of events. In jihadist propaganda, we can encounter both the calls for increased attacks (ISIS), as well as for refraining from them (Al-Qaeda). The narration of extreme right-wing and extreme left-wing centers is characterized by accelerationism (a struggle for speeding up the fall of the current system). Future terrorist strategies may be characterized with a dangerous turn towards bioterrorism and using the biological agents. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Terrorism is a fighting method that is constantly evolving and adapting to new environments. It is certain, that during the pandemic, as well as in the post-pandemic world, it will not be less menacing than it has been so far, so the situation pertaining to the anti-terrorist safety should be monitored.

• Details
• Contents