Global Security Challenges: Terrorism and Violent Extremism in an Evolving Security Landscape

On October 19, 2022, Ali Soufan, founder of The Soufan Center, delivered the second annual Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Foundation lecture on ‘Global Security Challenges: Terrorism and Violent Extremism in an Evolving Security Landscape.’ Hosted at Queen’s University Belfast, the event marked the centenary of policing in Northern Ireland. In his remarks, Mr. Soufan addressed today’s increasingly complex and unpredictable global security landscape. States today face an unprecedented array of challenges: interstate war has returned to Europe for the first time since World War II, terrorist groups and extremist actors across the ideological spectrum find themselves able to exploit a seemingly perpetual state of crisis, rampant disinformation undermines truth and trust, and democratic norms face erosion globally. In the face of these challenges, the United States alongside the United Kingdom and other allies must ensure a political, security and resource balance between counterterrorism and great power competition. Mr. Soufan warned that “the terrorism and violent extremism challenges we face today cut across the ideological spectrum. The West must also manage threats from emboldened violent far-right extremists.” The event was followed by a Q&A discussion with the audience chaired by Professor Richard English.