'Suicide bombings are in decline': NYU professor

A post Osama bin Laden world is not likely to see a rise in suicide bombings, says expert from Australia.

ABU DHABI // The death of Osama bin Laden is not likely to lead to a rise in suicide bombings, according to a New York University Abu Dhabi academic who wrote a book on the subject.

"One of my arguments is that suicide attacks are carried out as a retaliation and revenge, so there is an element in there, but the overarching reason for suicide attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan are local issues," said Professor Riaz Hassan, global professor of social research and public policy at the university.

Dr Hassan said his research was only a starting point for understanding suicide bombings, a "modern phenomenon with ancient roots" that he believes is in for a decline. "Eventually, over a period of time, I think the problem will be of a much lower intensity and scale than it is at the moment," he said.

Dr Hassan last month published his book Suicide Bombings, and in a lecture this week at the Al Mamoura Auditorium he addressed the factors that could prompt people to kill themselves and scores of innocents for what they believe to be a higher cause. The lecture took place less than a week after Osama bin Laden, the leader of the al Qa'eda terrorist network, was shot dead by US Navy Seals at a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

Bin Laden's journal shows desire to attack US again, page a12