The rise of ISIS in Iraq and Syria, the Paris attack on Jan. 7, the Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria or the al-Shabab threat in Somalia, among others, have once again unveiled the fragile nature of the current global order in the face of local and international terrorism. There are many reasons for the spread of terrorism but one key factor is the fact of weak and failed states. A failed state is usually defined as one that is unable to provide security and basic services to its citizens. The absence of a strong central authority creates acute problems not only for the citizens of that country but also for its neighbors. Afghanistan and Pakistan blame each other for lawlessness and terrorism along their shared borders but the fact is that both states, though at varying degrees, fall short of establishing order and security over all of their territories. Poverty, illiteracy, geographical challenges and tribal/communal loyalties make it difficult for such states to enforce the law.The danger which the weak and failed states pose to regional and global order becomes multiplied with the globalization of local problems. The absence of functioning government institutions paves way for disorder, illegality and terrorism. The most devastating consequence is the loss of trust in the state and the rule of law. From Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to Sierra Leon and Haiti, the problems of weak and/or failed state are augmented by the unhelpful policies of regional and global actors. Since the 1990s, an estimated number of 10 million people, most of them civilians, have been killed in wars in and among failed states across the globe. Compared to individual terrorist attacks that capture the attention of world media once in a while, the incidents of death and devastation related to weak and failed states is enormous by any measure.Since the Arab popular revolts began in 2011, a new problem has arisen: governability. About half a dozen states in the Arab world today are either without a strong governing body or run by weak and fragmented governments. In Syria and Libya, state institutions have collapsed, leading to civil war and internecine fighting. In Yemen and Somalia, the central government is extremely weak and unable to assert its authority. Iraq is seeking to recover but about one-third of its territories is controlled by ISIS. Lebanon has hardly had any strong governing body since the end of the civil war. Outside the Arab world, countries such as Haiti, the Central African Republic and Bangladesh, while each having its own unique circumstances, are stuck in the danger zone of failing states.The citizens of those countries suffer the consequences of insecurity, lawlessness, poverty and internal fighting. But the danger extends to regional and global order. The current global order depends on individual nation-states to establish peace and security in its own territories. Failure to do so cripples both the regional and global order. The impact of weak and failed states cannot be overstated in the rise, finance and spread of terrorism. ISIS has become a powerful terrorist organization because of the suicidal policies of the Assad regime that turned ungoverned Syrian territories into a breeding ground for militants. The lack of a strong central government in Iraq, coupled with Maliki's divisive and sectarian policies, has enabled ISIS to control key strategic territories of Iraq.Terrorists do not necessarily come from failed states only. Homegrown terrorism in wealthy nations is the result of a complex set of social, economic and political factors. But one thing is clear: where state institutions fail, terrorist groups and warlords fill in the gap. This makes international aid, among others, an extremely difficult work. International donors commit money but in most cases they are unable to deliver because of the absence of proper counterparts in those countries.In the face of failed states and weak governments, responsible political figures, civic communities and religious leaders cannot change the course of events in their countries. Those in the West who accuse Muslims of not condemning terrorism simply miss out on this fundamental fact. Religious figures and community leaders do condemn violent extremism and terrorism but they suffer from the same consequences of weak and failing states. The legacy of colonialism, local/national problems and the structural injustices of the current global order have contributed to the rise of failed states in the 21st century. Divisive and self-centric policies of powerful states and non-state actors are exasperating the problem.Capacity-building and institution development is key to overcoming the deepening problem of governability or lack thereof. It is important to provide help with an integrated strategy and with full consideration for local sensitivities. Sustainability and, patience and steadfastness are also critical. There are two other elements here. The first is investing in human development rather than "show-and-tell" projects. The second, related to the first, is to establish a system in which locals take the lead and come to own the projects.This is not an easy task and many attempts have been made before. But there is no alternative to establishing order and security. This is a global priority on which states and organizations should put aside their narrow political agenda and work together.