Counterterrorism Activities Research Articles

Countering terrorism and extremism by the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of one of the most complex problems of our time — terrorism. Terrorism in modern Russia and in the world poses a real threat to the security of society and the state. The work presents the activity of the National Antiterrorism Committee in coordinating and organizing interagency interaction aimed at combating terrorism, with the involvement of civil society institutions. Particular attention is given to the legal framework for countering terrorism, which includes constant monitoring and analysis of terrorist activity, Russian legislation in this field, and the preparation and adoption of relevant legal acts aimed at increasing the effectiveness of countering terrorism. The article analyzes the work of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation on the use of criminal law measures to combat terrorist crimes using specific examples and statistics. The issues of blocking the financing channels of terrorist organizations in the course of joint activities by the Investigative Committee of Russia, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, the FSB of Russia and Rosfinmonitoring are also addressed. It is emphasized that effective cooperation between all interested departments makes it possible to achieve positive results in countering terrorism and extremism. The author proposes to minimize the consequences of terrorist crimes on the Internet related to the recruitment of new members of terrorist organizations, including among the youth. The conclusion is made that it is necessary to increase the role of the informational component for crime prevention. The mass media should be used more actively for timely and reliable posting of information related to actions by law enforcement to counter terrorist activities and educate citizens. This would make it possible to form a negative attitude towards radicalism in all its manifestations and reject any attempt to justify terror.

Theoretical Approaches of the European Commission for Democracy Through Law (the Venice Commission) to the Assessment of Anti-Terrorism Legislation: international Legal Discourse and Implementation Problems

The topic of the article is highly relevant due to the importance of basing the legislative regulation of counter-terrorism activities on international treaties in this sphere. Besides, the legislative regulation of counteracting terrorism should be developed in accordance with the current international law acts and should take into account international obligations that they entail. The authors believe that the improvement of counter-terrorism legislation is facilitated by the work of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (the Venice Commission), which conducts an expert evaluation of the national legislations of member states. The goal of this research is to analyze the current international law regulation in the sphere of counteracting terrorism and in identifying the specifics of its application by the Venice Commission in its assessment of national counter-terrorism legislations. The authors examine some issues connected with the work of the Venice Commission on preparing conclusions and recommendations that contain its assessment of the counter-terrorism legislation of a number of countries (the Republic of Moldova, the French Republic). They note the specifics of the work of the Venice Commission as a special auxiliary body of the Council of Europe that analyzes and assesses the legislative acts of member states based on the poly-functional guidelines of the Council of Europe. While assessing national legislations, the Venice Commission uses international law acts that contain, among other things, universally recognized principles and norms of international law, so the authors of the article show the significance of the international law regulation of counteracting terrorism through international treaties both between different countries and under the aegis of international organizations and integration unions; they also identify the problems connected with their implementation in national legislations. Based on the conducted research, the authors come to the following conclusions: the legislative regulation of counteracting terrorism should be amended with strict observance of the universally recognized principles and norms of international law incorporated, among other things, in international treaties; it is necessary to develop the international law regulation in the sphere of counteracting terrorism while taking into account new challenges and threats brought about by globalization and use the potential of international law instruments; international bodies play an important part in improving national counter-terrorism legislations, specifically, the Venice Commission, which, through its expert work, contributes to the development of legislation based on international legal acts.

Conditions determining decisions on the announcement, change and revocation of alert levels and CRP alert levels

The issue of announcing, changing and revoking alert levels and CRP alert levels for threats in the Polish cyberspace (CRP alert levels) is inseparably connected with anti-terrorist actions taken by public administration bodies. The Counter-Terrorism Act of 10 June 2016 sets out the principles of conducting counter-terrorism activities and the principles of cooperation between authorities in the scope of such activities. It specifies the bodies which are entitled to announce change and revoke alert levels and CRP alert levels. Until recently, alarm levels associated mainly with the protection of military command, agencies and institutions play an increasingly important role in the area of protection of the civilian population. The proof of this is the extension of the existing formula for the use of alarm levels in the civil (non-military) environment and the cyberspace of the Republic of Poland. The decision to announce, change and revoke an alert level and a CRP alert level depends on a number of factors, including the following: the reasons for their announcement, the division of competences of the bodies responsible with respect to their announcement, change and revocation, and the execution of projects required to be carried out for the introduction of particular alert levels or CRP alert levels.

Contribution of the Police Academy in Szczytno to Counter-terrorist Activities

One of the state entities which have the task of preventing and combating terrorism is the Police, while the Police Academy in Szczytno is their intellectual base. It is not only an organisational unit of the Police, but also a higher education institution with legal personality. This status entitles it to teach at different levels of civilian higher education, as well as conduct in-service training for police officers. Education in the area of terrorist threats and counteracting them is aimed, on the one hand, at making the students aware of the scale of such threats and their accurate identification, as well as the ways of responding to them by the state and its institutions, and, on the other hand, at learning specific reflexes that will allow anyone who finds themselves in an area threatened by a terrorist attack to quickly assess the resulting threat and to react immediately. The goals set in this way are reflected in the employment structure of the academy, which includes specialist organisational units, and among the scientific and teaching staff are experts, including practitioners, who in the past carried out the tasks of the state at different levels of the system for counteracting terrorist threats. They systematically participate in scientific undertakings, including research projects, scientific conferences and publication work, participate in the work of expert teams, both national and international, and cooperate extensively with external entities. The result of their multidimensional activities is shaping and deepening social awareness of terrorist threats and desired attitudes towards them, as well as appropriate preparation of police officers, but also other services, to safely perform tasks related to the elimination of terrorist threats.

The activity of German law enforcement authorities in resolving the problem of political stability: counterterrorism aspects (2013-2018)

This article examines the counterterrorism policy of Germany during the third term of Angela Merkel, when the spread of terrorist threat in the territory of Germany has increased. The subject of this research is the activity of law enforcement authorities in development and implementation of German counterterrorism policy strategy, which include preemptive and prevention measures, forcible methods, and share of intelligence between the departments. The goal of this work consists in analysis and assessment of the achievements and failures of counterterrorism policy of Germany. Neorealism served as the key approach used in the course of this research. The conclusion is made that successfully consolidated activity of Merkel’s government and law enforcement authorities led to decrease in the number of terrorist attacks and strengthening of political stability in Germany. For indicating achievements and problematic aspects of German counterterrorism activity during the indicated period, the author translated from German the reports of law enforcement authorities on the instances of violence and prevented terrorist attacks, as well as mass media materials testifying to successful prevention of terrorist attacks. The acquired materials can be valuable in teaching corresponding disciplines and within the framework of scientific research.

Борьба с исламским терроризмом в Юго-Восточной Азии

The problem of terrorism is far from new for the countries of Southeast Asia. In the early 2000s, the legal and institutional framework was created for its solution. The use of predominantly hard methods allowed countries to succeed in defeating the terrorist underground. However, the situation sharply worsened with the advent of ISIS and the spread of its influence in the region, which leads to activation of its supporters. The methods of combating terrorism, tested for decades, were not enough to counter the growing threat. The ongoing changes in the social composition and structure of terrorism have required the adjustment of counter-terrorism policies – reinforcing its legal base and strengthening its humanitarian component. An analysis of successes and failures of this policy in relation to the four Southeast Asian countries facing the threat of Islamic terrorism (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines) is the subject of this study. The article notes that the need for preventive measures is dictated by the process of radicalization of part of the Muslim population falling under the ideological influence of ISIS. Radicalization, as the author notes, occurs in different ways: through the Internet; acquaintance with Islamic propaganda literature and materials of ISIS; attending sermons of radical imams; studying in religious and secular educational institutions; in prisons; within a family or a clan. The fight against the spread of extremist ideology is the most difficult task facing the countries of the region today and requiring an integrated approach to its solution in cooperation with the Muslim community, civil society and business. The modern strategy of the fight against terrorism, aimed at narrowing its social base, includes the implementation of a set of measures – promoting deradicalization programs, counter-propaganda of the radical Islamism ideology, work with youth, etc. In the sum, the author concludes that, although the Southeast Asian countries have managed to avoid large-scale terrorist attacks, the situation may worsen at any time, which was confirmed by the events in the southern Philippines in 2017. The main thing for the Philippines in counter-terrorism remains the implementation of measures to improve the political and socio-economic position of the local population. Indonesia, in turn, faces great difficulties in the fight against terrorism, which cannot be overcome only by strengthening the powers of counter-terrorist agencies. Even deradicalization programs will not give the expected effect in a situation when the process of Islamization of the country accelerates. This problem also threatens Malaysia whose success in counter-terrorist activities can be minimized amid the politicization of Islam, which creates a breeding ground for the radicalization of part of the Muslim population, especially young people. The most important thing in the fight against terrorism, as the experience of Singapore shows, is mobilization of the whole society, close interaction of the state and population.

US-Philippine relations in the field of security and defense at the beginning of the XXI century

The purpose of the article is illumination of dynamics and orientation of the American military doctrine in relation to Philippines and its influence on internal development of country. An author characterizes maintenance of the American-Philippine problems, degree of conflict and contradictions in the field of military safety. The special attention is spared opening of dynamics and orientation of the American military doctrine in relation to Philippines and its influence on internal development of country. In basis of research methodology – study and walkthrough of historical sources and scientific literature, application is a problem chronologic and komparativnogo approaches. Development of bilateral relations between the USA and Philippines examined on a background changes in the foreign policy of these states and to the regional situation in East Asia. The scientific novelty of work consists in that, that using the methods of kontent- and diskurs-analiz an author analyses tendencies and prospects of development of American strategy in relation to military-technical influence of Philippines on the dynamics of processes in the Asia-Pacific region. Conclusions. Military Alliance of the US and the Philippines should be a reliable guarantee of peace and security in the region. Cooperation between countries has far-reaching military-strategic aims, the expansion of the geographical boundaries of democracy and enhance the overall global fight against terrorism and to counter terrorist activity and propaganda. American politicians are considering the Philippines as a kind of an important Outpost off the coast of China as the key to increasing domination over the Pacific Ocean. Key aspects of counteracting the security challenges, ignoring that, it is impossible to ensure stability and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region. Support for sustainable relations with Washington gives the Philippines the opportunity to strengthen positions on the international arena that could become the indicator of the successful implementation of an independent foreign policy.

RESILIENCE CONCEPT AS A METHODOLOGICAL BASIS OF A NEW APPROACH TO COUNTERING INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

The aim of this article is to identify actual and prospective opportunities for the use of “resilience” concept in counter-terrorism warfare. The resilience is usually defined as an ability of an individual, society or ecosystem to recover or adapt after a shock. Discourse-analysis of the local periodical press enabled authors to draw two important conclusions. Firstly, resilience as a strength feature of a (city) community is internally generated, rather than imposed from top down. Secondly, the resilience of urban population to terrorism both in Russia and in European countries has similar features, namely the high degree of low-level civil self-organization and active use of social networks potential. The relevance of resilience serves as an indicator that this concept has become a core element of a new public security paradigm in the West. At the same time, resilience is not featuring in the Russian social-political discourse at all. However, authors have identified a number of provisions in the 2009 Concept of combating against terrorism, which might be considered as feasible prerequisites for the articulation of resilience in the Russian discourse in the future. Filling this gap might be a strategically important task in context of enhancement of the Russian Federation’s strategy of counter-terrorism activity.

Hypotheses Analysis and Assessment in Counterterrorism Activities: A Method Based on OWA and Fuzzy Probabilistic Rough Sets

This article presents a new interactive method to analyze and assess hypotheses, and its application to terrorism events. The method combines probability, fuzzy, and rough set theories and supports decision makers and analysts of counterterrorism in the analysis of intelligence information by using behavioral models of known terrorist groups. Starting from intelligence information about possible attack patterns, the proposed method uses two parameters allowing derivation and analysis of a wide range of hypotheses, and their assessment on the basis of different support levels of evidence. The evaluation of results has been done on real data relating to five years (2012–2016) of terrorist activities extracted from the Global Terrorism Database.

The ligaments of counter-terrorism regime: sexual violence and the vicarious traumatisation of female non-governmental organisation workers: evidence from Nigeria

ABSTRACTThere is a dearth of studies on indirect victims of sexual violence in counter-terrorism efforts. Using Nigeria as a case study, this paper argues that global and state-level counter-terrorism policies have generally failed to account for the psychological effects of the engagement of female NGO workers in counter-terrorism operations or mitigating the effects of terrorism in conflict zones. Specifically, there has been an increase in sexual violence perpetrated by some members of the security agencies involved in counter-terrorism operations in North-eastern Nigeria. As a result, female NGO workers carry out Medicare, psychosocial counselling and advocacy for these victims. Female NGO workers become exposed to the trauma of victims of sexual violence, which affects their mental health and thus performances in counter-terrorism activities in the country. This altered their worldview on issues of safety even among secured locations or among the presence of security agents and reinforced feelings of powerlessness.

PREVENT, safeguarding and the common-sensing of social work in the United Kingdom

INTRODUCTION: The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act (2015) passed in the United Kingdom (UK) made it mandatory for social workers, as well as a wide range of caring professionals, to work within the PREVENT policy, originally introduced in 2002, as one strand of the UK’s overall counter-terrorism policy.METHOD: The paper offers a theoretical account of how complex issues, like terrorism, that understandably impact on the safety and security of countries, are reduced to a series of assertions, claims and panics that centre on the notion of common sense.IMPLICATIONS: We theorise the concept of common sense and argue that such rhetorical devices have become part of the narrative that surrounds the PREVENT agenda in the UK, which co-opts social workers (and other public servants) into an increasingly securitised environment within the state. In other words, the appeal to common sense stifles critical debate, makes it hard to raise concerns and positions debates in a binary manner. We use the example of how there has been a decisive linking of traditional safeguarding social work practice with counter-terrorism activity.CONCLUSIONS: We posit that linkages such as this serve to advance a more closed society, resulting in a “chilling” of free speech, an increase in surveillance and the unchecked advancement of a neoliberal political agenda which promotes economic considerations over issues of social justice. This we argue, has implications for not only the UK, but for other countries where social workers are increasingly being tasked with counter-terrorism activities.

Frictions on Cross Border Cooperation in Criminal Matters Involving Terrorism Threats – Romanian Standpoint

In countering terrorist crimes, European organizations with police and judicial jurisdiction have emerged as key players in this field, although often being found on a competitive institutional battleground, especially this being the case of Europol and Eurojust. The methods we used consist in a detailed analysis of applicable European provisions, established doctrine, standpoints, press releases and official statistics, and last but not least the presentation of a well-grounded opinion on the reported disagreements. Through the reform to which Europol is currently undergoing, the Agency is self developing as a central element of the European internal security architecture in conducting investigations and operational actions. We emphasize the tendency to widen the competencies of the European Prosecutor's Office, whose duties are likely to overlap with those of Eurojust, and although Eurojust does not have the vocation of a genuine indictment body, according to the EU Treaty, the European Prosecutor's Office may be established from Eurojust, hence under its oversight. Europol is willing to take on the role of managing EU-wide operational counter-terrorism activities, but as for Eurojust, the measures needed to strengthen the Union's response to terrorist threats can only be implemented by creating a framework narrative in which the European Prosecutor's Office is directly subordinated to Eurojust.

System of automated data analysing about terroristic activity from Internet resources

A system for automated analysis of terrorist activity data from Internet resources was created. Its use is aimed at preventing and countering terrorist acts by analyzing textual content to contain data related to terrorist activity. This activity is one of the most severely predicted and dangerous for society and the state phenomena. It is characterized by a special dynamism and multifaceted nature, advanced technical equipment, a high level of structural organization, the presence of significant financial assets, as well as the ability to adapt and modernize in the context of the main social trends of today - globalization and informatization. This confirms the existence of a real threat to the national and cybersecurity of the state. Mostly to prevent and counter-terrorist activity, organizational measures are preferred. Therefore, counteraction to terrorist activity requires qualitatively new approaches. One such approach is to analyze terrorist activity data from Internet resources. To address this challenge, the widespread use of information technology, in particular software. In this context, automated data analysis tools are analyzed. Among them are specialized systems for monitoring information space. They are characterized, first of all, by the speed that traditional search engines cannot provide; secondly, the completeness not always provided by conventional news aggregators and, thirdly, the necessary analytical tools that allow the user to generate reports on publications of a given topic over some time. As a result, the use of automated data analysis is quite effective in preventing and counteracting terrorist attacks. Therefore, a system for automated analysis of terrorist activity data from Internet resources has been proposed for the implementation of such counteraction. The advantages of using it are the convenience, in particular, the presence of a simple interface and the ability to detect signs of terrorist activity

DRIVEN TO THE MAINSTREAM: WOMEN AND GIRLS IN INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

International Terrorism in recent times has assumed a striking and dangerous dimension. Terror groups have taken advantage of the sophistication and advancement in technology especially Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and loopholes in national and international cyber space to recruit and activate new and unsuspecting members of the public to perpetuate their dastardly acts. More alarming is the increasing spate of women involvement in the act of terror. Although not a Twenty-First Century phenomenon, women and girl’s involvement with terror-related activities has increased over time especially in the areas of marriage and execution of terror attacks. In response to the ugly trend, the world has gradually moved from preventive to more proactive approaches by formulating frameworks that prioritize women and girls’ involvement in peace building, conflict resolution and counterterrorism activities. This is underscored by the adoption of the U.N Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 in year 2000; and other subsequent resolutions on women, peace and security. Despite these moves, the roles of women and girls in terror prevention and counterterrorism issues have remained less explored. Interestingly, the menace has attracted a higher level of media coverage and has equally posed a greater challenge at both the domestic and international fronts. In a view to explore its causes and consequences, the study examines the phenomenon of women and girls’ involvement in terrorism. The study found-out that discriminating socio-cultural practices; neglect of women in the battle against terror and in the overall conflict resolution process; religious dogma and the zombification of women among other factors, have driven women and girls to the mainstream of international terrorism. It was posited that there is the need to mainstream women at the center of terror prevention and counterterrorism activities. Article visualizations:

Navigating Securities: Rethinking (Counter-)Terrorism, Stability Maintenance, and Non-Violent Responses in the Chinese Province of Xinjiang

ABSTRACT This article draws on critical scholarship on (counter-)terrorism as well as the authors’ long-term fieldwork (conducted in Xinjiang from 2005 to 2017) to explore not only the securitizing agency of the state and counter-securitizing agency of “terrorists” but also the manner in which other societal actors (involving street-level bureaucrats, local Imams, and ethnic inhabitants) interact with these processes in China. This article argues that the practice of security, both in the Chinese province of Xinjiang and across China, has a performative quality to it, which manifests in not merely the official regulations and propagandas, but also the localized responses to their bureaucratic operations in the state project of “stability maintenance.” While the “stability”-focused counter-terrorism activities in China involve supplementing the traditional model of retrospective intervention with a performance-based, preemptive approach that allows for more civic participation, the authors argue that the public performance of “stability” and “counter-terrorism” has become a means of professional advancement and/or survival for local cadres. In the unstable geopolitical environment of Xinjiang, where anxious contests have taken place between state and various non-state powers for control over territory, the government has been compelled to constantly seek out potential agents (referring in the present context to local cadres, Imams, and mosques) in order to forge local partnerships as part of the process of implementing counter-terrorism policies. The article examines how local cadres and ethnic inhabitants in Xinjiang, being motivated by their own survival and interests, react to and capitalize on the processes of implementing counter-terrorism policies in local societies, which ultimately challenges the ability of the state to rule and thus leads to unpredicted and unintended counter-terrorism policy outcomes.

Legal Regulation of the Fight Against Terrorism within the EU

At present, the problem of terrorism has ceased to be a predominantly external threat to the EU. At the beginning of the 21st century, the geography of terrorist attacks has expanded and increased significantly in frequency. In this regard, the fight against terrorism has taken a special place in the EU policy. Despite the limited powers in the field of law enforcement, many efforts are being made at the EU level to develop a mechanism to counter terrorist activities. Anti-terrorism policy includes a variety of means, among which are special legal measures, the development of which was carried out exclusively or primarily for the purpose of combating terrorism. The present work aims to study the special legal tools for combating terrorism that form the EU anti-terrorist legislation. Anti-terrorism legislation is a central component in the system of measures to prevent terrorism in the EU, it does not replace the relevant provisions of the national law of the EU. Its task is to develop common standards for combating terrorism, as well as to ensure the uniform application of international legal means of counter-terrorism in the EU. The EU anti-terrorism legislation consists of two key components: measures to harmonize criminal and criminal procedures, as well as measures to combat the financing of terrorism. Both directions have been developed in line with the implementation of international standards to combat terrorism, which, in turn, were the result of the reaction of the international community to the strengthening of terrorism in the West. The main impetus for the development of EU anti-terrorist legislation should be the events of September 11, 2001 and the strengthening of terrorist activity in 2015-2016 in the EU.

PROVIDING OF PREPAREDNESS OF CIVIL PROTECTION SPECIALISTS TO PROFESSIONAL IMPLEMENTATION OF ANTI-TERRORIST ACTIVITY TASKS

Problem. Active scientific, theoretical and practical activities in developing strategies and tactics for combating terrorism are at the center of attention of law, political science, psychology, sociology, as well as other branches of science. At the same time, the pedagogical problem with regard to determining the specificity of vocational training and ensuring the readiness future civil servants to perform professional tasks in the field of antiterrorist activity is not sufficiently studied. The main result of the educational process of higher education institutions should not be the system of knowledge, skills and abilities itself, but the readiness for modern intellectual, social-legal, communicative, informational practices that will provide the ability and ability to use a set of knowledge of the chosen specialization, basic knowledge from different directions, including legal training, including in the field of antiterrorist activity.
 Goal. Identify innovative forms and methods of training and ensure the readiness of future civil servants to carry out their professional tasks in the field of antiterrorist activity.
 Methods. The research methods were chosen: theoretical ones - the study of psychological and pedagogical and legal literature on the problem under study, the processing of documents and normative materials in order to clarify the content of vocational training and to ensure the readiness of civil protection officers to professional fulfillment of tasks in the field of antiterrorist activity; multicriteria system analysis and problem-oriented synthesis to determine the leading definitions of research and the theoretical substantiation of pedagogical innovations in the training of civil defense officers for professional accomplishment of tasks in the field of antiterrorist activity, in particular ICT tools, problem educational technologies, ICT; empirical - pedagogical observation, questionnaires, interviews, interviews, expert assessment methods, testing, pedagogical modeling, forecasting for the purpose of studying and diagnosing the state of readiness of civil protection officers for professional implementation of tasks in the field of antiterrorist activity.
 Results. Professional training and ensuring the readiness of civil servants to perform their professional tasks in the field of antiterrorist activity should take place in a coherent educational process using innovative approaches in the educational process. Such training becomes more realistic and purposeful, subject to the use of problematic educational technologies. The most effective of their components are the following groups of methods of innovation training, with the use obligatory ICT tools: modeling; designing; research. Important part of the process of training civil servants and ensuring their readiness to carry out professional tasks in the field of counter-terrorism activities is the practical elaboration of crisis situations during the command-and-control game. In connection with this, an algorithm of command-and-control game is developed, which includes the following stages: molding - formation of the working group of the command-staff team; preparatory - preparation for the command-staff game; the main thing is to conduct a command-and-control game; the final is an analysis of the command-and-control game, the definition of the overall assessment and evaluation of each participant in the team-based game.

Origins, Evolution and Current Activities of Sunni Salafi Jihadist Groups in Bangladesh

Despite its global recognition as a moderate Muslim country, Bangladesh has been experiencing increasing bouts of religious fundamentalism and militant activities since 2005. This phenomenon is not altogether novel to the country. During the Liberation War of 1971, Bengali freedom fighters faced staunch opposition from the Pakistani armed forces as well as Islamist militias under the control of Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamist political party. Even after attaining its independence, Bangladesh has struggled to uphold the pillars of democracy and secularism due to political, social and religious drivers. Between January 2005 and June 2015, nearly 600 people have died in Islamic terrorist attacks in the country. These militant outfits either have close ties to or are part of Al Qaeda Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and the Islamic State (ISIS). Despite such troubling signs and the fact that it is the fourth largest Muslim majority country in the world, Bangladesh has generally received little attention from academics of security studies. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the drivers and trends of Sunni Salafi jihadist groups operating in Bangladesh to ascertain the implications for counterterrorism activities. Political, social and religious interventions that go beyond the hard approach must be undertaken to control the mounting threat of Islamist terrorism to the security and stability of the nation. 

Контртеррористическая деятельность западнобалканских стран (на примере Албании)

<p>В статье на основе значительного количества албанских источников, ряд из которых впервые вводятся в российский научный оборот, проанализированы методы и инструменты противодействия терроризму и экстремизму на Балканах. Конкретным казусом исследования выбрана Албания. В силу социально-экономического (слабая экономика, высокий уровень безработицы, значительный мусульманский сегмент, широкое распространение радикальных форм ислама) и геополитического положения она является наиболее подверженной из стран региона проникновению лиц, включенных в международные террористические организации. В то же время эта страна занимает первые позиции в оценках рекрутинга боевиков, которые едут воевать в конфликтных зонах на Ближнем Востоке. </p><p>Начиная с 2012 г. руководство страны осуществляет меры контртеррористической направленности. На институциональном уровне это выражается в принятии комплекса документов, в том числе национальных стратегий, в ужесточении наказаний за наемничество, а также в создании соответствующих структур. В настоящее время в Албании действует Антитеррористическое управление государственной полиции, работает Национальный координатор по борьбе с экстремизмом. В контртеррористическую деятельность включены также прокуратура и суды по тяжким преступлениям, Государственная разведывательная служба Албании (SHISH). Однако не наказание и жесткое пресечение террористической деятельности являются приоритетом государственной политики. Тирана уверена в эффективности религиозного образования и социальных программ, направленных в том числе на реабилитацию вернувшихся из горячих точек боевиков. Автор критикует такую позицию.</p><p>Содержатся рекомендации по развитию взаимодействия с организациями, имеющими богатый опыт контртеррористической деятельности, в частности, речь идет о выстраивании связей с Антитеррористическим центром стран СНГ.</p>

Norm transformation and the institutionalization of targeted killing in the US

This article explains the emergence and institutionalization of the US’s targeted killing practices as a case of norm transformation. I argue that international and domestic US prohibitions on assassination have not disappeared, but have changed as a result of practitioner-led changes in the conventions, technologies, and bureaucratic structures governing the use of force in counterterrorism activities. After discussing the limits of alternative explanations, and drawing inspiration from practice theory, pragmatist social theory, and relational sociology, I posit three causal mechanisms as responsible for the transformation: convention reorientation, which was the redefinition of targeted killing to distinguish it from assassination; technological revision, which was the development and use of unmanned aerial vehicles (“drones”) to bypass normative and strategic concerns over precision; and network synthesis, which was the support of the Bush administration and especially of the Obama administration, overruling dissenters from within the Central Intelligence Agency (who were often very highly placed). I trace the processes by which these mechanisms operated and interacted in simultaneous and mutually reinforcing ways from the start of the millennium until now. Finally, I discuss some of the ways in which this contributes to institutional analysis and the study of norm change more generally, and, in particular, how it considers the role of technology and the reciprocity of means and ends.