-
Weaponising Coronavirus

The origins of the pandemic remain contested and increasingly politicised. President Trump, now governing a country that has lost more lives than the entire Vietnam War, has doubled down on accusing China of manufacturing the virus. The presence of not one but two laboratories in Wuhan that were researching Coronaviruses has made it easier to propagate a theory that this didn’t come from bat to man but rather from man to man.
Viewing the virus as a weapon rather than a global calamity gives a very different perspective on both how it has spread so far and how it could spread in future. Indeed, the USA, despite its massive military might and defence spending, has been hit hardest. If you could design a virus that would cause particular chaos in America it would be one that has potentially 20% of infected people showing no symptoms, one that doesn’t show itself for some two weeks and one that has higher rates of mortality for those suffering from obesity.
Analysis from those watching the ‘chatter’ on forums used by terrorist groups initially showed talk of targeting hospitals and health infrastructure in Western States. However, more commonly the lockdowns that have forced billions to stay at home have seen spikes in attempt to recruit supporters online as people spend more time on the internet. Could other attempts to directly of indirectly weaponise the virus be next?
Already we have seen how strategic policy has inadvertently spread the virus. BBC Arabic reported this week that an Iranian airline with links to the country’s Revolutionary Guard has been responsible for the first infections in Lebanon and Iraq. It would appear that Iran’s shadowy pursuit of its interests in the region has had a nefarious blowback for its allies, but what if groups made more proactive choices to spread the virus?
The US has already made clear that anyone who purposefully spreads the virus will face charges under the country’s terrorism laws. There have already been a handful of high profile cases along these lines. In March a man in New Jersey coughed on a supermarket worker who’d asked him to stand further away before telling her he had coronavirus; he was subsequently charged with making a ‘terroristic threat’ and faces up to seven years in jail. Another American spat at a policeman whilst being arrested and was charged with perpetrating a ‘biological weapons hoax’ after claiming to have coronavirus. Similarly in the UK in April a man was jailed for 16 weeks after coughing on police and shouting that he was a ‘super spreader’.
If terrorist groups seek to sow fear and unleash chaos in the countries of their enemies exploiting the vulnerabilities exposed by the coronavirus are obvious. Aviation experts have flagged concern that mandatory face masks may make tracking terrorists on flights harder, whilst there a spike in ISIS attacks in Syria and Iraq has been linked to the security forces in both countries being overwhelmed by a focus on responding to the virus. Indeed whilst crime levels across the world have plummeted there have still been numerous terrorist attacks since the pandemic begun, with Afghanistan in particular witnessing several large scale bombings.
There is the challenge for any terrorist group to protect their own members from the virus whilst being able to use it to conduct attacks on their enemies, however some of the scenarios that are worth preparing for could see asymptomatic carriers target elderly peoples homes or medical facilities currently caring for non-COVID cases. ISIS put out communications claiming the virus was a punishment for ‘Crusader nations’ whilst simultaneously warning that its own followers could catch it. The Taliban put out public health messages and images of its own health teams working to distribute soap and other equipment in response to the outbreak.
In summary it appears a complex confluence of factors has and will determine how trends in global terrorism will be impacted by the pandemic. The world is now facing a threat far greater than any terrorist organisation has managed to muster and a different risk perspective will influence public policy in the years ahead. However, the ability to recruit more followers online and exploit distracted and overburdened security forces may see spikes in attacks or even more spectacular attacks in the short term. In the long term the critical question is how a narrative surrounding a global pandemic can be channeled into a sense of purpose and legitimacy by existing or perhaps more worryingly, new groups.
by: James Danselow
Tags
You May Also Like
Popular Posts
Caricature
BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
opinion
Report
ads
Newsletter
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the new updates!