Aon terrorism risk map points to continued threat

According to an interactive terrorism risk map produced by Aon Risk Securities, the threat of terrorism is alive and well in 2013.
According to the map, which measures the risk of terrorism and sabotage, strikes and civil commotion, and revolution and war, 44 percent of countries measured have an identifiable risk of terrorist attacks.
The risk is most acute in African and North African countries; in the Middle East, 64 percent of countries were considered to be at “high” or “severe” levels of risk, due in large part to the after-effects of the Arab Spring. 11 countries were upgraded, meaning their level of risk increased, including Egypt and Argentina.
Europe was considered the most stable region. 47 percent of the 19 countries whose risk levels were lowered are European, indicating that civil unrest associated with the financial and economic crisis is receding. Greece, however, remains risky due to the rise of anarchist groups in reaction to austerity measures and unemployment. Limited incidents of terrorism outside of Greece and Northern Ireland contributed to the more positive outlook.
Neil Henderson, head of Aon Risk Solutions' crisis management terrorism team, said: "terrorism is having an increasing impact on today's global organisations and terrorist attacks are now regarded as a foreseeable risk. An attack not only on, but near an organisation's premises can result in human casualties, property damage, business interruption, legal liability issues and long term damage to brand and reputation. The Aon Terrorism and Political Violence Map is one of a range of Aon tools that allow data and fact-based insight to support and advise companies in their efforts to be increasingly resilient in today's quickly evolving and volatile environment. This insight allows our clients to plan overseas expansion or international growth."
Henry Wilkinson, head of the Intelligence and Analysis practice at Risk Advisory, added, "The global economic crisis, shifting geopolitical balances and two years of unusually high levels of civil upheaval present challenges and opportunities for businesses looking to expand. North and West Africa and the Middle East stand out as regions of increasing risk. Civil wars in Libya and Syria in particular have contributed to violent risks in nearby countries. Egypt returns to the highest risk rating this year due to persistent civil tumult, political instability and terrorism. While Northern Europe has seen some improvements, evident in the UK's improved rating, fiscal and economic pressures mean businesses in Southern European countries still face a higher level of risk associated with civil disruption."