The attacks in Thailand raise many questions. The culprits detonated several homemade bombs at a series of resorts and tourist areas in the southern Thailand. The motive was clear: to destabilise the country’s vital tourism sector, one of the few bright spots of its economy. The attackers, however, remain unknown and their specific political ends are unclear right now.
Without speculating as to who these attackers might be or what their aims in Thailand are, there are several critical lessons that can be learnt from these events. Around the world, civilians areas are under unprecedented threat. Never before, outside of wartime, have ordinary people been targeted in such a manner. From France to Belgium, Egypt and Turkey, extremists have shown no regard for human life in their endless quest to sow chaos.
This instability has given way to a climate whereby small groups emulate much larger extremist organisations to achieve their political aims. Officials in Thailand have speculated that the recent bombings were the work of militants keen on destabilising Thailand after the rewriting of the constitution in a manner that appears to give the military more power. If this theory holds, it will be further evidence that the methods of international extremists are starting to take hold in individual conflicts.
This is all to say that the international community is facing a global threat that is mutating in localised conflict areas. While this could be considered a source of disquiet, it also presents a unique opportunity for a new spirit of cooperation across borders. The only way to face these challenges is through a united front that entails great communication, transparency and cooperation.
The immediate forecast is bumpy as more and more groups attempt to hijack the spotlight and advance their own causes but with greater cooperation, the international community will be able to rise about these threats. It will require a rethinking of how we protect ourselves, but it will happen.
