Undercutting ability of terrorists to strike the real challenge for civilized world

Washington, Nov.30 (ANI): In the wake of the Mumbai terror strikes, a majority of experts, commentators and commoners are of the unanimous view that the civilized world has a huge challenge - and that is whether they have the ability to undercut the well organized plans of terrorists.

As Peter Fenn, a Democratic media consultant says: "The real question is whether or not the world is prepared. Terrorism strikes indiscriminately. The question is not can they (terrorists) attack or can they get their hands on a nuclear weapon, the real question is can we as a league of civilized nations come together to undermine their extremism and undercut their ability to carry out their well organized plans. That is the real challenge to the civilized world in the early part of the 21st century." ox News quoted Sylvia L. Lovely of the Kentucky League of Cities, NewCities Institute, as saying: "Inter-governmental systems are still not in sync. In fact, the dysfunctionality of the intergovernmental system and its relationship to the citizenry down on "main street" is an issue that has yet to be addressed."

"It remains to be seen how fear on two fronts (terrorism and financial crisis) will play on the national stage," she added. red Barbash, a moderator said: "We continue to live in a dangerous world, the threat of terrorism is not a hoax and while we should not give in to fear, we should also not forswear vigilance, caution, preemptive measures and preparation."

"The President-elect should come out with tough and repeated statements concerning the attacks in Mumbai and the slow-motion outrage that continues to be perpetrated there," he added. avid Biespiel, a poet and writer, said it was hard to guess or pontificate on the implications of the terror strike in Mumbai.

"We can't possibly protect ourselves from everything--living with some uncertainty is just plain life. We've all come to expect the unexpected. We can be working to change the conditions. We need to increase international investigation systems, super-fund prevention-technology as well as increase human intelligence manpower, and develop anti-terrorist treaties for law enforcement cooperation," he said.

James P. Pinkerton, Fellow, New America Foundation said: "The Mumbai tragedy reminds us that terrorist enemies are always rethinking their tactics, probing for weakness-and striking wherever they find weakness. So vigilance is always needed."

Rosabeth Moss Kanter, a professor of the Harvard Business School, said: "This (Mumbai terror attack) will further shut down or slow down international travel and development of business opportunities that create jobs."

Julian E. Zelizer, a professor of History and Public Affairs at Princeton, said:"

The lesson is that we need to look more carefully at "soft" targets, an area where it is unclear how much the homeland security program has done." (ANI)