An international meeting on Deconstructing Terror was held in Pune, India on 16-17 February, 2018. The meeting was co-hosted by Strategic Foresight Group and Centre for the Resolution of Intractable Conflicts (CRIC) at Harris Manchester College, Oxford University and attended by 20 international experts.

The meeting followed discussion on the subject at a session on different perspectives on terrorism at the Annual Conference of CRIC held in Oxford in September 2017. The meeting discussed conventional, as well as new ideas to understand terrorism and to deal with it.

The participants discussed themes and future trends regarding various facets of the concept of terror. The concept of terror and ways to define it were elaborated upon followed by analysing the historical as well as contemporary drivers of terror. The participants debated the changing manifestations and patterns of terror in the last two decades and how terrorism has emerged as a global threat. It was outlined that the role of states and their ability to hold dialogue and form consensus is crucial to help find solutions.

The concluding remarks of the meeting stated that it would be short-sighted merely to concentrate on the tactics of terrorists. It is important to understand the psychology of terrorists and the role of state actors in manipulating it, in order to find sustainable solutions.  

For a more detailed report of the meeting please click here.