Summary of threats

Al Qaida (AQ)

While the UK has faced a variety of terrorist threats in the past, a unique combination of factors - namely the global reach, capability, resilience, sophistication, ambition and lack of restraint of Al Qaida (AQ) and associated groups means the UK currently faces a threat on a scale not previously encountered.

Al Qaida and networks associated with it are intent on attacking UK, US and other Western interests, as well as replacing Islamic regimes that are not deemed pious enough.

Many of these networks are loose-knit, operating without a conventional structure and with connections across the world, bound by shared extremist views or experiences. Whilst some of these networks are centrally guided by Al Qaida, others are autonomous, but both work to carry out terrorist attacks.

Al Qaida and associated networks remain capable of carrying out major terrorist attacks, such as those on London in July 2005. A number of its senior leaders, including Usama bin Laden himself, and many trained terrorists remain at large. The threat from Al Qaida and associated networks is therefore likely to persist for some time.

Irish-related terrorism

Dissident Irish republican terrorist groups also present a serious threat to UK interests.

These groups reject the Belfast Agreement (the Good Friday Agreement), continue to engage in acts of terrorism in Northern Ireland, and aspire to attack targets in Great Britain.

The Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) has not mounted a terrorist campaign since 1997. Its associated political party, Sinn Féin, is engaged in the Northern Ireland political process.

Other extremist groups, unrelated to the Northern Ireland situation, may aspire to campaigns of violence but lack developed terrorist capability.

Espionage

The threat from espionage (spying) did not end with the collapse of Soviet communism in the early 1990s. Espionage against UK interests continues from many quarters.

In the past, espionage activity was typically directed towards obtaining political and military intelligence. This remains the case, but in today's high-tech world, the intelligence requirements of a number of countries also include new communications technologies, IT, genetics, aviation, lasers, optics, electronics and many other fields.

The UK is a high priority espionage target and a number of countries are actively seeking UK information and material to advance their own military, technological, political and economic interests.

The threat against UK interests is not confined to the UK itself. A foreign intelligence service operates best in its own country and some may therefore find it easier to target UK interests at home, where they can control the environment and where the UK traveller may let their guard drop.

Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD)

The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) poses a potential threat to the UK's security. A number of countries continue to develop WMD programmes which give cause for concern.

Since 1992, the Security Service has played a part in countering this threat. The UK is committed to preventing the spread of WMD and their strategic means of delivery, usually ballistic missiles.

WMD encompasses nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. The UK has obligations under a number of international treaties, conventions and export control regimes such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions and the Missile Technology Control Regime.