The New Age of Terror

The New Age of Terror from History is a compelling, eye-opening two-part docuseries from History Channel that aired in 2017. This masterfully crafted series embarks on an ambitious journey, attempting to document and analyze the paths, patterns, and future trajectories of global terrorism and its profound impacts on the world.

Essentially, The New Age of Terror discusses how changes in political, technological, and social landscapes have helped create sophisticated, powerful, and dangerous new breeds of terrorism. This deeply educational and thought-provoking docuseries uses archives, expert interviews, and first-person accounts to illustrate how terrorism has evolved since the tragic attacks on September 11, 2001.

The first episode of the docuseries, “War Without End,” starts the narrative with the aftermath of 9/11. It provides a comprehensive overview of how the United States government and its troops shifted the nation's military focus to Afghanistan and then Iraq. With the application of engaging storytelling techniques, this episode effectively demonstrates how those military interventions played a significant role in shaping the current world and global terrorism acts.

Shifting gears, the second and final episode, “A Rising Tide,” concentrates primarily on the rapid rise of ISIS. This episode lays bare the brutal reality of ISIS's establishment, falls, territory gains, and the formation of their so-called caliphate. In addition to offering a detailed examination of ISIS’s tactics, the series also explores the eventual role of Western countries in fighting this new breed of terrorism. Through this examination, it offers insights into the broader themes of conflict and counter-terrorism that resonate today.

In successfully showcasing two decades of terror, The New Age of Terror does not shy away from the uncomfortable truths or complexities of the topic. Instead, it boldly outs them, forcing viewers to confront the harsh reality of global terrorism. It compels audiences to question their understanding of terrorism and rethink the politics of military engagement and the role it plays on the world stage.

Importantly, this docuseries also leads discussions on how terrorism has shifted from structured organizations to decentralization, using global digital platforms to radicalize, recruit, and spread their messages of hate and destruction. It also considers the future of terrorism by investigating new technologies and discussing possible scenarios in which these could be leveraged by terrorist groups.

The New Age of Terror relies on an array of sources to present its story. This includes archival footage, interviews with former intelligence officials, military veterans, and academic experts on terrorism. By using these primary sources, the docuseries enables viewers to gain firsthand insights into the reasons behind these attacks, what motivates the attackers, and the global responses they ignite.

Unlike sensationalistic takes on terrorism, this docuseries adopts a sober tone. The narrative is thoughtful and methodical, allowing audiences to fully comprehend the consequences of terror acts. It humanizes the victims of these horrific acts while starkly illustrating the dangerous ideologies that drive such acts of violence.

Furthermore, the series takes great care not to marry Islam with terrorism. It addresses the misinterpretations of the religion used by terrorist groups to justify their atrocities, detailing the chasm between these groups and everyday Muslims who practice their faith peacefully.

While it's a tough watch because of the distressing real-life events it recounts, The New Age of Terror is an essential watch for understanding the intricacies of global terrorism. Offering exceptional audience engagement, rich educational content, and a critical viewpoint on a highly sensitive subject, this docuseries is a valuable resource that helps audience members comprehend our complex contemporary world.

In its entirety, The New Age of Terror is a meticulous and engrossing documentary series, treating its sensitive subject matter with the gravitas and complexity it deserves. It provides the viewers a comprehensive, thought-provoking, and haunting view of the landscape of global terrorism, while also encouraging conversations about what the future may hold.