As 2006 comes to an end, the ample terrorism-related developments in Europe merit a comprehensive review. Disrupted terrorist plots, numerous arrests, and discoveries have led European counter-terrorism officials to new insights into the real terrorist threat to Europe. As these insights have emerged, there are a few common threads that require reflection upon in order to tackle the coming year?s challenges.
Motivation
After 9/11 , a fierce dispute surged on why Islamist militants wanted to attack the West. One conclusion that took a foothold in the European debate was the notion that the West?s, particularly the US?, foreign policy toward the Middle East was to blame. While some voices raised basic democratic values as a great part of the reason, most of Europe?s liberals argued that the West?s presence in the Middle East was the greatest problem. This line of thought suppressed domestic policies, particularly those in Europe regarding immigrants, although they shared a large part of the responsibility.
At the end of 2006, Europe has begun to accept and deal with a few facts. Numerous incidents before 9/11 underscore that the hatred toward the West existed well before and that their democratic values and way of life are, indeed, a source of animosity for fundamentalists. Several thwarted plots throughout Europe confirm that the militant perpetrators had links or at least sympathized with radical groups?such as al-Qaeda , Hizb-ut-Tahrir , or the Salafist Group for Call and Combat (GSPC; Group Profile)–inside or outside of the continent prior to the US attacks. The links confirm a common mentality that has been brewing for a long time: the perception that Islam is under attack by the West, that not only troops in the Middle East but also democracy is deeply hated, and the aspiration to attack and destroy the West for what it is not for its political affiliations. This late-borne acknowledgement was a hard pill to swallow for the vast majority of the European nations.
The Composition of al-Qaeda
Developments witnessed in 2006 have offered a new perspective on the arguably most dangerous terrorist organization in the world. Mainstream opinion now posits that al-Qaeda is not an organization, but rather a loose network or movement whose physical structure was disrupted by the dismantlement of their safe haven in Afghanistan . However, their capability has remained proficient; they are directing plots from their newfound refuge: Pakistan?s hinterlands (source). If one analyzes the interrogations of captured suspects as well as the numerous interceptions of their correspondences, there is a pattern that displays a hierarchical chain of command. There are also newfound indications that al-Qaeda is turning their forces against Europe, with the UK as the Number One target .
Autonomous Cells in Europe
Though al-Qaeda remains a threat to Europe, independent radicalized enclaves forming around Europe are perhaps more capable of carrying out attacks on their own. Whether they are simply inspired by the jihadist cause or are directly guided by a larger group, they represent a great danger, as profiling and tracking them is extremely difficult. Examples of cellular terrorism include: the plots against airlines in the UK and Germany ; the sentences of Dhiren Barot in the UK, Samir Azzouz in the Netherlands and Rabei Osman Sayed Ahmed, the Madrid bombing co-conspirator in Italy ; the numerous round-ups and ongoing investigations throughout Europe. All of these successes share common features: 1) the lack of assimilation within the Muslim communities in Europe and 2) the increase of youth radicalization by militant Islam .
Europe?s Problem with Radicalization
Europe?s domestic policies and their failure to integrate their immigrants into host societies may not serve as the only trigger to perpetrators turning to extremism, but it is certainly one of the root causes. These individuals were born and/or lived in their established communities but yet came to share a hatred and an urge to destroy the West. The youth rioting in France , the bomb threat to German commuter trains , and other comparable incidents provide evidence that Europe?s young Muslims feel alienated and angry at their host society as they see themselves lacking the opportunities the ?natives? have. As their animosity persists, they become increasingly vulnerable to radical preachers, recruiters, and propaganda on the Internet and in the media.
Perspectives
The developments seen this year present crucial facts for European officials to ponder in their effort to safeguard their countries. Recent experiences have led to a new strategy of combating terrorism that has moved away from the US Global War on Terror that stresses ?eradication.? Their approach emphasizes prevention; it addresses socio-economic and political root causes concurrent to security efforts (source). This seems to be working even if the venture is in the early stages. While many European authorities admit their struggle with keeping up, they should be credited for the successes and breakthroughs seen in recent times.
