The Human Security Project released its third annual Human Security Brief today. The study, funded by Canada, Norway, Switzerland and the U. K., found a large and world-wide decline in deaths resulting from acts of terrorism. It also found that 2003-2006 datasets describing an increase in global terrorism did so by incorrectly identifying war-crimes committed by non-state agents as “acts of terrorism.”

The study also found a general decrease in levels of violence in Iraq, the factors leading to which included, among others, both the U. S. troop surge and the alliance of former Sunni insurgents with the U. S. The study noted a 65% decrease in attacks in Islamist violence in Iraq between July and September 2007 (leading to 47% decrease worldwide). Although the study recommends political progress to prevent a relapse to violence, it notes that, “whatever happens, it is unlikely that al-Qaeda in Iraq’s fortunes will be reversed.”