Is terrorism a threat to international order Essay

Is terrorism a threat to international order - Essay Example However, even after the most significant and iconic terrorist strikes known to us i.e. the 9/11 attacks, the world order and the existing international relations have not changed significantly. In fact, if anything, the international order and the relationships between various countries (particularly western allies) have been more strongly defined since the attacks. Again, this definition may not remain true in the long term since international order is not solely dependent upon one evil character being the terrorist and one heroic country saving the world. The image of a country being good or bad is nearly always dependant on the perception of the people and it is irresponsible of the media or the government to present a very biased viewpoint since perceptions can be difficult to change overnight. Coady (2005) says: â€Å"There are very bad policies and very bad political leaders, but realism dictates that we recognize the presence of evil wherever and whenever it occurs. It also dictates that we take cognizance of the fact that the monsters of today were our allies of yesterday and may be our allies of tomorrow, and that our own shining virtue often appears in a different light to others. (Coady, pg. 16, 2005)† Of course the countries and individuals who are labelled as being terrorists by others quite simply reject it and take themselves as freedom fighters, separatists, even revolutionaries. Similarly, the titles given to terrorists range from evil to inhuman and responsible members of the international community are asked to shun them and force the surrender of terrorist group members since they are a threat to international order (Baylis, 2002). Undoubtedly there are several issues surrounding the debate and the first is the justification for terrorism. Martin & Martin (2003) report that it was St. Augustine who first gave the two