Watch: Shashi Tharoor column: Terror attacks may have dropped, but the world is becoming ‘unevenly unsafe’
At first glance, the macroeconomic indicators of global security offer a rare moment of statistical comfort. Recent reports suggest that global terrorism experienced a noteworthy decline in 2025, with fatalities around the world falling to 5,582 across 2,944 recorded incidents — representing a 28% drop in deaths and a 22% reduction in overall attacks. With as many as 81 nations registering measurable improvements in their domestic security landscapes, a superficial reading of the data might sugg
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Context
Recent global security data indicates a significant drop in terrorism-related fatalities and attacks in 2025, suggesting an improvement in the global security landscape. However, Shashi Tharoor argues that this statistical decline masks a more complex reality where security is becoming unevenly distributed, implying that while some regions are safer, others may be experiencing concentrated instability.
UPSC Perspectives
Internal Security
This article highlights the nuanced nature of modern terrorism, often termed asymmetric warfare (conflicts where belligerents possess unequal military resources and weaker groups use unconventional tactics). While the overall number of attacks globally has decreased, UPSC aspirants must understand that the threat is evolving rather than disappearing. The concept of an 'unevenly unsafe' world suggests that terrorism is becoming localized in specific fragile states or regions experiencing power vacuums. This shift demands a change in counter-terrorism strategies, moving away from broad global approaches to targeted interventions in vulnerable areas. Aspirants should connect this to the challenges India faces in its neighborhood, where regional instability can have direct spillover effects, necessitating a robust and adaptable national security framework and organizations like the .
International Relations
The changing landscape of global terrorism deeply impacts international relations and diplomacy. The reduction in global terror incidents might lead to a false sense of security, potentially reducing international cooperation on counter-terrorism initiatives driven by entities like the . The 'uneven' nature of global security means that some nations will face disproportionate burdens, potentially leading to regional conflicts or mass migrations. From a UPSC perspective, this underscores the importance of India's role in multilateral forums, advocating for a consistent, non-discriminatory approach to combating terrorism, such as finalizing the at the UN. The focus must shift to addressing the root causes in regions that remain unsafe, rather than just celebrating a statistical global decline.
Governance
The data showing improvements in domestic security landscapes for 81 nations points to the critical role of strong state governance in mitigating security threats. Effective governance, characterized by inclusive development, strong institutions, and rule of law, is the most potent antidote to extremism. However, the 'unevenly unsafe' reality suggests that states lacking these governance capabilities remain vulnerable. In the Indian context, this highlights the necessity of addressing internal security challenges not just through kinetic means, but also through comprehensive socio-economic development policies like the . UPSC questions often explore the nexus between development and extremism, emphasizing that sustainable security requires long-term governance reforms alongside immediate law enforcement measures.