Terrorist Attacks on the Oil Industry

According to analysts, attacks on oil and gas operations overseas are increasing due to terrorist's efforts to disrupt energy markets, governments and to frighten foreign workers. The terrorist groups seek to cause economic disruption or in some cases to fund their own operations. The Institute for the Analysis of Global Security tracks these types of attacks on oil operations and have said that the attacks are increasing. Energy is an easier target for terrorists because the targets are convienent and make an impact. They are located in the countries where many of the terrorists live and they are not provided with as much security as they would in the U.S.. Terrorists know that the destruction of oil targets disrupts many countries markets and their interaction with each other. The attacks add pressure on oil prices which in turn can slow economic growth in countries. Along with these reasons, terrorists want to disrupt people living in these countries by creating dissatisfaction with the U.S. and other western nations that have stepped in to help. Terrorists are using the attacks to effect many nations and to disrupt economic stability and markets throughout the western world.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52810-2004Sep26.html