Coalition dynamics in the war against terrorism

Abstract

"Coalition" may be an inappropriate term to describe the constellation of state and non-state actors cooperating in the global struggle against terrorism. The term coalition implies a certain agreement on strategy and objectives, short of a formal alliance. In fact, to the extent that NATO plays an active role in counter-terrorism, the current pattern of cooperation does have elements of an alliance. But the vast bulk of international cooperation on counterterrorism, before and after 11 September, has involved the routine, sometimes intensive, coordination of intelligence, police and judicial activity. Contributions to large-scale military operations in Afghanistan, or elsewhere although important to current objectives are exceptional. Most counterterrorism cooperation has been, and will almost certainly continue to be, of a more prosaic nature. The sheer range of activity — from the most intensive cooperation among European allies, to the ad hoc and often arms-length relations with states such as Libya, Syria and Iran, not to mention Russia and China — makes it difficult to speak of a single grand coalition against, terrorism.. The reality is a highly diverse pattern of cooperation: some limited, some extensive, some sustained, and some on a case-by-case basis.