Is the London transport bomb 2005 relevant to New Zealand?

Answer 1

It is relevant in so much as it provides an example of conventional transportation systems vulnerability to terrorist actions.

Its relevancy outside of this is questionable however due to the following:

a) Motivation - The justification for the 7/7 and 21/7 bombings was not religious but political - translated statements from the bombers highlight Britains involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. New Zealands involvement and contribution in either theatre is comparitively minor.

b) Isolation - The United Kingdom has a relatively porous imigration policy and contains a large number legal immigrants as well as illegal immigrants and asylim seekers. By comparision, immigration to New Zealand is strictly controlled, thereby limiting the entry and consequent influence of radical Muslim elements.

c) Exposure - The London Bombings represented a symbollic attack on the capital city of one of the members of the 'coalition of the willing'. The choice of targets, timing of the attack and means of attack were all carefully selected in order to create as much global exposure as possible for the event. New Zelealand, by comparison, is small, underpopulated and therefore provides a reduced potential for casualties and subsequent media exposure.