Analysis of the Bombers’ Tactics and the Consequences of a Series of Terrorist Attacks in Brussels (22 March 2016) (original) (raw)

The Modus Operandi of Jihadi Terrorists in Europe

Perspectives on Terrorism, 2014

This article provides the most thorough overview yet of how jihadis have plotted terrorist attacks in Europe. Drawing on a database of 122 incidents, we review trends in weapon types, attack types and target types in the period 1994-2013. The overall finding is that jihadi terrorism in Europe is becoming more discriminate in its targeting while attack types and weapons are becoming progressively more diverse. The most likely scenarios in the coming three to five years are bomb attacks and armed assaults against sub-national entities, communities and individuals. A majority of the terrorist attacks will be limited in scope, but mass-casualty terrorism cannot be excluded. Foreign fighters from Syria are likely to influence the threat level in Europe, but we do not expect them to alter patterns in modus operandi dramatically.

The Modus Operandi of Jihadi Terrorists in Europe (with Petter Nesser)

Situation and Trends of Terrorist Acts Within the European Union

Journal of Liberty and International Affairs, 2019

The main subject of interest of this paper is the current situation and the trend of international terrorism in the European Union, explained through security analysis of the committed terrorist attacks and their influence on the European security and stability. Also, it will be shown the measures and the activities of the anti and contrary terroristic fight against the risks and the threats from the terrorism as a result of the recent terroristic attacks. Even though on international level there isn't a common definition of the terrorism as a criminal act, the European Union and the Council of Europe through their most important documents set the concept for terrorism which has helped in the process of creating national security systems for fight against the terrorism. This paper will go through the circumstances of terrorist attacks (failed, foiled and completed) in the European Union Member States, as well as the conditions of the criminal acts through analysis of the statist...

The challenge of Jihadist radicalisation. In Europe and beyond. 2017

2017

Today Europe finds itself on the frontline in the fight against terrorism and jihadist radicalisation. Over the past fourteen months, the horrendous terrorist attacks that have taken place in France, Germany and Belgium, as well as in Turkey, Tunisia, and elsewhere around the world, have claimed hundreds of lives. As a Belgian national, the three bombs that were detonated in my country, in the departure hall of the Brussels International Airport in Zaventem, and at the Maelbeek Metro station, a few hundred metres from key EU institutions, was a particularly traumatic moment for me. In many ways, the attacks of 22 March were Belgium’s own 9/11, representing the worst terrorist attacks committed on Belgian territory in the country’s modern history. The attacks demonstrate a clear shift in the resolve and ability of jihadist terrorists to inflict mass casualties on urban populations, and are devised to induce a high state of well-publicised terror

The modus operandi of jihadi terrorism in Europe by Nesser& Stenersen

Lessons from Brussels blitz - How can Europe counter the rising terror threat?

Deadly terror attacks in Brussels, which killed 34 people and wounded hundreds, have exposed the fragility of the European Union's capital and involuntary and has ushered the country into a new era of insecurity and fear. Brussels is not only the capital of Belgium but also EU's capital and home of NATO headquarters. And the Brussels attacks took place just 4 miles from NATO headquarters. By striking at the heart of the Europe, the terrorists have stunned the once-considered most secure region of the world. It is the right time to reflect on the incident that has stunned both the people and policymakers combating terrorism. The report briefly explains the reasons behind the Brussels attack and the growing threat posed by European-national foreign fighters. The influx of refugees from Middle East, anti-Muslim feelings in the West and reversing radicalization programs are also discussed. The Report finally offers recommendations for European countries from Brussels Attack 2016.

Terrorism in the EU. An overview of the current situation as reported by Europol

Terrorism, radicalisation, recruitment are among the main threats to the security of the European Union (EU) and its member states. The latest attacks have made it clear that the European continent is facing an increasing range of threats emanating from international terrorism, in particular jihadist groups and individuals. A review of the events which have occurred since 9/11 shows not only a significant growth of this threat, but it brings to light new challenges, like those of ‘lone actors’ and foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs). As anticipated on this Journal, on 20 July 2016 two Reports on the evolution of the phenomenon of international terrorism in the European Union have been published by Europol, namely “The European Union Terrorism Situation and Trend Report 2016” and the “Lone Actors Attacks – Recent developments”. The analysis of these documents provides a general overview of the situation in EU in 2015 and emphasizes the crucial role of Europol in taking effective responses in combating terrorism.

Fortress Europe: Terrorist Threat in the Context of ISIS

This paper analyses terrorist threat in Europe in the context of existence and activity of the Islamic State (ISIS). The first part is devoted to the evolution of the terrorist threat in Europe, with particular emphasis placed on changes in its nature in the context of ISIS strategy and the refugee crisis. Subsequently, the paper discusses the three structural factors which influence the level of terrorist threat on the European continent: the Schengen zone, the areas of restricted state control (so called no-go zones) and associated with them the problem of crime. The article then examines how both, the situational and the structural factors determine prevention and counter-terrorism strategies, which must take into consideration both internal and external threat, posed not only by organized terrorist cells whose members had undergone proper training, but also by independently radicalised lone wolves outside the radar of the security services. The nature of this threat renders the whole continent vulnerable and thus the danger is present even in countries such as Poland, previously considered to be relatively safe. Upon exploration of Polish case study, the paper concludes reiterating the main findings. Bartoszewicz, M.G. (2016). Fortress Europe: Terrorist Threat in the Context of ISIS. Studia Polityczne [Political Studies] 4 (44), pp. 205-223.

EGMONT PAPER COUNTERTERRORISM IN BELGIUM: KEY CHALLENGES AND POLICY OPTIONS THOMAS RENARD (editor

The implication of Belgium-linked terrorists in the shootings and bombings on November 13, 2015 in Paris — around the Stade de France football stadium, in four pubs and restaurants and the Bataclan concert hall — became more and more obvious during the police investigation that followed these events. Today we know that the bombings at Brussels Airport and the Maalbeek subway station on March 22, 2016 were committed by the same French-Belgian jihadi network. The consequence has been that many international observers focused on the Belgian police system, wondering why the Belgian police forces had not been able to prevent the radicalisation of these persons. In this paper we examine this question, explaining what happened during the period that preceded these assaults and decoding what the events mean for the Belgian police system today. In other words, this paper doesn’t go into the reaction to radicalisation and the subsequent violence itself, but into the preventive and pro-active actions that had been undertaken earlier to avoid the radicalisation of certain “at-risk” individuals and groups. The main argument we want to develop here is that a targeted prevention agenda was largely present in discourse, but to a great extent absent in practice. Further, we advocate that, if implemented, this kind of preventive approach would have been much more effective than the repressive criminal justice agenda now applied with respect to jihadi terrorism.

Analysis of the Bombers’ Tactics and the Consequences of a Series of Terrorist Attacks in Brussels (22 March 2016) (original) (raw)

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