Terrorism in the 21st century: from national terrorism to global terrorism

Abstract

This paper aims at examining some of the consequences for international criminal law which derive from the 9/11 attacks and the wars that took place thereafter. It is necessary to consider the traits of the new forms of yihadist terrorism, such as crimes with international connections and the suitability of legal tools to combat them. At an international level, the right of States to self-defence according to the UN Chart is analysed, as well as the efforts to review its requisites to accommodate pre-emptive self-defence. Finally, attention is paid to the crime of aggression and the possibility to consider global terrorist attacks as a crime against humanity