Targeting Energy Infrastructure: Examining the Terrorist Threat in North Africa and its Broader Implications
- Autores: Jennifer Giroux
- Localización: Análisis del Real Instituto Elcano ( ARI ), ISSN-e 1696-3466, Nº. 25, 2009
- Idioma: inglés
- Enlaces
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Resumen
This ARI examines terrorist attacks on energy infrastructures in the current environment, in which tighter supply channels have created a market that is more vulnerable to disruptions. In addition, most new discoveries of oil and gas are made in uncertain neighbourhoods where conflict and instability threaten production. As North Africa is a significant source of natural gas for Western Europe, this analysis will focus on events in the Sudan and Algeria where energy infrastructure chiefly oil and gas resources have been targeted. Statements by al-Qaeda regarding the targeting of energy infrastructure will also be discussed as they might point to an emerging strategy in North Africa, where al-Qaeda affiliates operate. Concluding remarks will highlight the short- and long-term strategies needed to protect energy resources and deter groups from making attacks that can either affect key supply channels or, more likely, cause markets to respond by raising energy costs due to the perceived vulnerability of supplies.
