Sri Lanka, Sept. 4 -- Introduction: terrorism as a contest of information and meaning

The struggle against terrorism has never been merely a contest of force. It is-at its core-a contest over information, meaning, and human motivation. Terrorist organisations do not simply plan attacks; they cultivate narratives, recruit adherents, and exploit vulnerabilities-both material and psychological.

Their success depends not only on operational capability but also on their ability to imbue violence with symbolic significance. Counterterrorism, therefore, must be carried out on multiple levels simultaneously: disrupting networks, preventing acts of violence, countering ideology, and addressing the underlying needs that draw individuals toward ex...