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4581. Understanding the 'Absorption Capacity' of the European Union

Author:
Sercan Gidişoğlu
Publication Date:
10-2007
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Insight Turkey
Institution:
SETA Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research
Abstract:
This article offers an analysis of the large inventory of definitions proposed for 'the EU's capacity to absorb new members', by the EU institutions as well as scholars and Brussels-based public affairs companies. It also makes a comparison between 1993, when the term 'absorption capacity' (AC) is used for the first time in an official text, and the period from 2005 on, when this term reappeared frequently in European terminology and came to be defined with more precision. AC mainly refers to the capacity of the EU to absorb new members while functioning efficiently and maintaining the momentum of European integration. It has three main components: economic, political, and institutional absorption capacities. However, despite some consensus on its usage, the term remains ill-defined and misleading. To remedy this problem, the Commission recently replaced the term with the phrase 'integration capacity'. Nevertheless, further efforts should be made to clarify this concept, which is still being used in official texts without enough precision.
Topic:
Economics
Political Geography:
Europe and Brussels

4582. Terrorism in Europe: The local aspects of a global threat

Author:
Julian Richards
Publication Date:
01-2007
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Athena Intelligence Journal
Institution:
Athena Intelligence
Abstract:
There is no doubt that Al Qaeda-inspired jihadist terrorism has capitalised on globalization in many ways. Using multimedia communications, the "single narrative" linking together perceived wrongs against Muslims across the world can be downloaded and sampled immediately, anywhere in the world. By portraying his message across the internet or 24/7 newsreels on satellite television, Usama Bin Laden and his cohorts have acted as an exciting inspiration for a generation of alienated Muslims youths in backrooms across the globe. In this way, the person that Australian counter-terrorist analyst David Kilcullen claimed would otherwise be a "crank in a cave" has managed to transform himself into something of a global icon.
Political Geography:
Europe and Australia

4583. Reflections on 3/11 Madrid Bombings Sentence

Author:
Luis de la Corte Ibáñez
Publication Date:
10-2007
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Athena Intelligence Journal
Institution:
Athena Intelligence
Abstract:
Este análisis extrae algunas conclusiones sobre la sentencia del 11-M, hecha pública el pasado uno de noviembre. En particular, los comentarios vertidos en las siguientes páginas abordarán tres cuestiones sucesivas: el definitivo debacle de las llamadas teorías conspirativas, los aspectos explicativos del 11-M que no pudieron ser suficientemente tratados en la mencionada sentencia y los fallos que facilitaron la comisión de los atentados
Topic:
Terrorism
Political Geography:
Europe and Spain

4584. The Morabitun World Movement in Spain

Author:
Jesús González and Andrés Gómez
Publication Date:
10-2007
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Athena Intelligence Journal
Institution:
Athena Intelligence
Abstract:
El nombre de "al-Murabitún" remite al menos a tres movimientos o grupos separados temporalmente aunque con un objetivo compartido: la lucha contra el infiel desviado del camino del Islam. El primer referente histórico lo constituyen los Murabitún de Al-Andalus ("hombres de la Ribat"), almorávides de la dinastía bereber - los más temidos guerreros de la época, por cierto- en los actuales Marruecos, Mauritania, Argelia Occidental y España entre 1056/1060 y 1 147 d. C
Topic:
Islam
Political Geography:
Europe and Spain

4585. Spanish Society Three Years after 3/11 Madrid Bombings

Author:
Domingo Jiménez
Publication Date:
10-2007
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Athena Intelligence Journal
Institution:
Athena Intelligence
Abstract:
El objetivo del presente trabajo es describir la evolución de la percepción de la amenaza yihadista en los últimos tres años intentando identificar las causas que hayan podido incidir en las oscilaciones, si las hubiese. Tomando como punto de partida los trabajos que han estudiado el modo en el que los atentados de Madrid pudieron incidir en las elecciones generales de 2004 y viendo los resultados de los estudios de opinión realizados desde esa fecha en nuestro país (principalmente los barómetros de CIS y los del Real Instituto Elcano que han cubierto estos aspectos), hemos descrito la evolución de la percepción de los españoles acerca del terrorismo yihadista durante este período.
Topic:
Civil Society and Terrorism
Political Geography:
Europe and Spain

4586. Spanish Jihadist Networks: Evolution after 3/11 Madrid Bombings

Author:
Javier Jordán
Publication Date:
10-2007
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Athena Intelligence Journal
Institution:
Athena Intelligence
Abstract:
Más de tres años después de los atentados del 11 de marzo de 2004, las Fuerzas y Cuerpos de Seguridad del Estado continúan desarticulando redes yihadistas en nuestro país. Durante este tiempo los medios de comunicación han venido prestando atención a las operaciones policiales de cierto calado y, en los últimos meses, también han logrado espacio informativo las proclamas yihadistas a favor de la recuperación de Al-Andalus. Parece claro que España sigue amenazada por el terrorismo yihadista pero la capacidad de real de estos grupos para volver atentar resulta un tanto confusa
Topic:
Islam and Terrorism
Political Geography:
Europe and Spain

4587. 2007 EU Progress Report on Turkey: A Step Forward?

Author:
Mesut Özcan
Publication Date:
12-2007
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
SETA Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research
Abstract:
The EU progress reports on candidate countries are important indicators of how EU institutions manage and monitor the accession process. The 2007 European Union progress report on Turkey's EU membership gives a comprehensive account of how EU evaluates the political developments in Turkey. While the report is overall positive and supportive of the reform agenda of the AK Party government, it contains legitimate criticisms as well as debatable assessments on the Cyprus issue. Despite the shortcomings, Turkey should continue its efforts to strengthen democratization and focus on public diplomacy in the EU member countries.
Topic:
Democratization and Diplomacy
Political Geography:
Europe, Turkey, and Middle East

4588. The Strategic Benefits of Turkey's Admission Into East Asian Summit

Author:
Kim Beng Phar
Publication Date:
11-2007
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
SETA Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research
Abstract:
To fulfill Turkey's mission as a ʺcivilizational connectorʺ between Europe and Asia, Turkey must be a full member of the East Asian Summit. The path towards this goal, among others, requires Turkey to be a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN. Once ASEAN sponsors Turkey's membership in East Asian Summit, Turkey would then be strategically positioned to be a key member with some of the world's most monumental economic and political powers in its midst. Indeed, if Turkey is a member of East Asian Summit, ideally by 2010, Turkey would be in a better position to realize its strategic, civilizational, and historical depth.
Topic:
International Relations, Development, and International Organization
Political Geography:
Europe, Turkey, Middle East, Israel, and East Asia

4589. L'operation Active Endeavour et son impact sur le Dialogue méditerranéen de l'OTAN

Author:
Rachid Houdaïgui
Publication Date:
06-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
NATO Defense College
Abstract:
Les attentats du 11 septembre 2001 ont profondément transformé la perception de la menace terroriste dans le monde et le rôle des Etats et des organisations internationales dans la lutte contre celle-ci. La réponse de l'Organisation du Traité de Atlantique Nord (OTAN) a été immédiate et ferme. Le 12 septembre, elle a invoqué, pour la première fois dans son histoire, la clause de défense collective relevant de l'article 5 du Traité de Washington, qui se traduira en pratique, quelques jours plus tard, par le lancement de huit mesures visant à soutenir les Etats-Unis. L'une de ces mesures consiste à déployer des unités des forces navales permanentes en Méditerranée orientale. Le 26 octobre 2001, est lancée l'Opération Active Endeavour (OAE), première et unique opération maritime de lutte contre le terrorisme menée sous l'égide de l'OTAN. Entre 2001 et 2006, l'OAE a vu son champ d'action s'élargir de la sous-région orientale à l'ensemble de la Méditerranée. Le Sommet de l'OTAN à Istanbul en juin 2004, a redimensionné l'OAE en invitant les partenaires1 de l'Alliance à y contribuer. Depuis lors, une dizaine d'Etats du Partenariat pour la paix (PPP) et du Dialogue méditerranéen (DM) ont répondu favorablement à cette invitation: la Russie, l'Ukraine et Israël sont dans une phase d'intégration très avancée; le Maroc, l'Algérie, la Croatie, la Géorgie et la Suède en sont à la phase de négociation intermédiaire.
Topic:
NATO and International Cooperation
Political Geography:
Europe

4590. An Italian Strategy for Relaunching the EU Constitutional Treaty

Author:
Gian Luigi Tosato and Gianni Bonvicini
Publication Date:
05-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Istituto Affari Internazionali
Abstract:
The subject of the European Union's institutional future is once again at the top of the European agenda – the European Council at the end of June 2007 will be dedicated to it – and a deadline has been set (the 2009 European Parliament elections) for the entry into force of the new rules.
Topic:
International Relations, Government, International Cooperation, and International Organization
Political Geography:
Europe and Italy