Terrorism and Global Security: An Analysis of Regional and Socio-Economic Effects on National Security

The paper examined the impact of global security and socio-economic development in terrorist prone regions. The study adopted the qualitative method which is hinged on historical and descriptive analysis. The theory that was used for this study is the realist theory by Hans Morgenthau and amplified by Kenneth Waltz. The paper contended that terrorism breeds insecurity and impedes sustainable national development. The paper noted that terrorism engenders loss of lives, threat to public safety, economic sabotage, capital and investment flight, negative perception of the terrorists’ prone states on international scene with attendant negative consequences on trade, tourism and foreign direct investment (FDI). Moreover, the analysis revealed that a number of factors including sources of funding, ideology, religion, and idleness contribute to increase in global terrorism which in turn endangers the prospects of progress with resultant economic misfortunes, closure of businesses and unemployment across the globe as well as destructive reflections on national security. Given the findings, the paper recommended, among others, an overhaul of the Security Agencies which should include the creation of State Security apparatus to tackle the menace while regional governments should improve or rather upgrade its intelligence gadgets and surveillance equipment. Moreover, emphasis should be placed on the use of improved collective security and the need to trace and back down the sources of funds used for terrorists’ activities.