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John Howard: New Zealand Initiative Senior Fellow on the NZSIS report looking at rising threats to national security
Description
A retired Major General says New Zealanders need to be aware the threat of terrorism is real.
A Security Intelligence Service report shows the national terrorism threat level remains at Possible, with the most likely scenario caused by a lone actor.
It says violent extremism is being influenced by a broad range of ideologies, a mix of domestic and international events, and extremist online rhetoric.
New Zealand Initiative Senior Fellow and Retired Major General John Howard told Ryan Bridge if you see something that concerns you, discuss it with someone.
He says it's not a cause for panic, but a cause for community for us to be aware of our neighbours and help them.
New technology is said to be accelerating the national security challenges we face – the report suggesting our connections, innovations, and position, make us valuable to foreign powers.
It suggests Chinese military intelligence has been using professional networking and job sites to target current and former government officials holding secrets.
Howard told Bridge to be forewarned is to be forearmed, and drones and AI can be used with criminal or lethal intent against civilians.
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