Out of Obscurity, Terrorism 3.0 Takes Center Stage

Rivalries are rekindling radicalism

Earlier this year, in March, terrorists attacked the Crocus City Hall, a large complex in Moscow, Russia. Over 60 people were killed and a further 140 injured as the hall came under fire. It was the worst terrorist attack in Russia in two decades. And, it is one of the most significant geopolitical events of the year.

Almost immediately, it turned into an international clash, as Moscow claimed the terrorists were planning to escape through Ukraine, an accusation that the West ruled out.

The group that claimed responsibility was ISIS-K, an offshoot of the Islamic State (IS), the latter of which had disappeared from the public spotlight after waging years of violence and chaos across the Middle East and motivating attacks throughout the Western world.

Few had heard of ISIS-K, whose focus is primarily in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Within 48 hours of the attacks in Russia, the French government raised its terrorist threat warning to its highest level. For a moment, it seemed like multiple coordinated attacks were about to occur.