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35131. The EU takes on Terrorism

Author:
Marta Martinelli, Catriona Gourlay, Lorraine Mullally, Sibylle Bauer, and Natalie Pauwels
Publication Date:
10-2001
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
International Security Information Service
Abstract:
The terrorist attacks on the United States on 11 September have added a sense of urgency to the elaboration of a European Union policy on terrorism, something that had already been in the pipeline for a number of months under the auspices of the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council and the Commission's Directorate- General for JHA. While the immediate policy response of the EU mainly reflected these third pillar initiatives, it is likely that the 11 September attacks will lead to a re-evaluation across the EU policy spectrum. This article outlines some of the areas that could be considered prime candidates for action by the EU as part of its overall counter-terrorism strategy.
Topic:
Security and Defense Policy
Political Geography:
United States and Europe

35132. Europe Moves Forward on its Own Missile Proliferation Agenda

Author:
Simon Taylor, Sibylle Bauer, Jens Mosegaard, Sharon Riggle, Thomas Sköld, and Philippe Manigart
Publication Date:
07-2001
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
International Security Information Service
Abstract:
The missile defence debate has gained serious momentum in Europe since US President George W. Bush took office in January 2001. Reactions in Europe to US missile defence plans have been negative, ranging from scepticism to outrage, with a slight softening of positions in recent weeks .The EU has had no common position on the issue but has now reconfirmed its commitment to multilateral solutions to the threat of missile proliferation with a declaration which aims to reinforce preventive regimes.
Topic:
Security and Defense Policy
Political Geography:
United States and Europe

35133. Conflict Prevention Takes Centre Stage

Author:
Catriona Gourlay and Natalie Pauwels
Publication Date:
06-2001
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
International Security Information Service
Abstract:
The Göteborg European Council endorsed the Swedishled EU Programme for the Prevention of Violent Conflicts. The Programme is the result of the Swedish Presidency's drive to put conflict prevention on equal footing with, while distinguishing it from, the development of EU crisis management capabilities. It sets out ambitious goals and a broad mandate for further action, identifying over 20 actions to be elaborated under successive Presidencies. The success of the Programme nevertheless depends on its implementation by future Presidencies, Member States and the Commission.
Topic:
Security and Defense Policy
Political Geography:
Europe

35134. The Fuss About Turkey

Author:
Catriona Gourlay, Natalie Pauwels, Sharon Riggle, and Thomas Sköld
Publication Date:
04-2001
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
International Security Information Service
Abstract:
Agreement on EU-NATO cooperation is vital to the development of the common European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) since the EU plans to rely on access to certain common NATO assets for EUled crisis management operations. Turkey, a key non- EU European NATO member, argues that it is underrepresented in ESDP structures and is threatening to block such an agreement unless the EU adopts new mechanisms to further involve it in ESDP decision-shaping and planning. This article explores the grounds for Turkish dissention, EU resistance and whether there may be room for compromise.
Topic:
Security and Defense Policy
Political Geography:
Europe and Turkey

35135. Developing a Proactive Approach to EU Conflict Prevention: The first steps

Author:
Catriona Gourlay, Sibylle Bauer, Jens Mosegaard, Sharon Riggle, Kelly Baumgartner, and Otfried Nassauer
Publication Date:
03-2001
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
International Security Information Service
Abstract:
The Commission and the Secretary General/ High Representative (SGHR) Javier Solana presented a joint paper outlining challenges and recommendations for improving the effectiveness and cohesion of action for conflict prevention to the Nice European Council in December 20011. The Swedish Presidency now plans to build on these recommendations to develop a concrete programme for conflict prevention to be agreed at the Göteborg European Council in June 2001. This article identifies some of the elements that such a programme might contain.
Topic:
Security and Defense Policy
Political Geography:
Europe

35136. Towards a Coherent EU Conflict Prevention Policy in Africa: Challenges for the Belgian Presidency

Publication Date:
09-2001
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
International Security Information Service
Abstract:
The Belgian Presidency aims to continue the work on EU conflict prevention undertaken during the Swedish Presidency by focusing on how the EU can effectively address conflicts in Africa. This conference sought to identify some of the challenges facing the Belgian Presidency and suggest concrete steps that the EU could take to ensure coherence in its development co - operation, trade, and common foreign and security policies. The conference specifically aimed to explore how the conflict prevention potential of the new EU - ACP 'Cotonou' Agreement could be realised by developing its provisions for political dialogue and the modalities for engaging civil society in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.
Topic:
Conflict Resolution
Political Geography:
America, Europe, and Middle East

35137. Cluster Bombs: the Case for New Controls

Author:
Hugh Beach
Publication Date:
05-2001
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
International Security Information Service
Abstract:
Cluster Weapons consist of a large number of sub-munitions (“bomblets”) which are dispensed from a metal canister in mid-air and then disperse over a distance of several hundred metres. They are inherently indiscriminate since, once dispensed, the bomblets are un-guided and a threat to military and civilians alike. Bomblets are designed to knock out armoured vehicles but can also kill people to a radius of 30-40 metres.
Topic:
Security, Defense Policy, and Arms Control and Proliferation
Political Geography:
United States and Europe

35138. Reinvigorating Multilateral Arms Control

Author:
Herbert Wulf and Michael Brzoska
Publication Date:
05-2001
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
International Security Information Service
Abstract:
Institutionalised or negotiated arms control at the multilateral level within the United Nations system and the bilateral level between the US and Russia fell into a state of crisis in the mid 1990s. Several factors contributed to this crisis. Firstly, with the slow but continuous disintegration of Russia's military apparatus the US emerged as the dominant power in international security relations. It has increasingly come to believe that it can control smaller states by military means and its interest in arms control has waned accordingly. Secondly, traditional arms control has proven too rigid in light of emerging post-Cold War security concerns. Regional and internal conflicts have resulted in more emphasis on UN peacekeeping operations and controlling or eliminating the weapons most commonly used in these wars (such as landmines, small arms and light weapons). When it became clear that it would not be possible to negotiate the landmines ban within traditional arms control institutions, so-called 'friendly states' began to develop new parallel fora. The Ottawa Process, which consisted of fast-track diplomatic negotiations culminating in the signing of the Landmines Convention, is an example of this new type of arms control initiative. Thirdly, the main aim of arms control is no longer stability, whereby states aim to maintain parity and build trust. Instead, the focus has turned to limiting the costs of armaments acquisition and disarmament
Topic:
Security, Defense Policy, and Arms Control and Proliferation
Political Geography:
United States and Europe

35139. The New Security Dimensions: Europe after the NATO and EU Enlargements

Author:
Adam Daniel Rotfeld
Publication Date:
04-2001
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
Abstract:
One decade after the end of the cold war and the fall of the bipolar system, the enlargements of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU) reflect the fundamental changes that have taken place in Europe's security environment. The processes of enlargement are of essential importance to the states which belong to the two organizations and the applicant states. It is also essential that the security interests of the states be yond the borders of the EU and NATO be taken into account. The European Union faces the challenge of determining its new role in the security dimension. This calls for both further institutionalization of its relationship with NATO and redefinition of its relations with the United States. The decisions adopted by the Nice European Council meeting represent a new stage in overcoming the political division of Europe that was established at Yalta in 1945. The reform launched by the December 2000 Inter- governmental Conference opened the way for further enlargement of the EU. It remains an open question whether and, if so, to what extent the new institutional solutions in the security dimension—the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP)—will shape the future political and military reality in the Union and outside it, in particular in transatlantic relations
Topic:
Security and NATO
Political Geography:
Europe and North Atlantic

35140. Terrorism and Racism: The Aftermath of Durban

Author:
Anne F. Bayefsky
Publication Date:
12-2001
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
Abstract:
Confronting bin Laden's rallying cry of "good" and "bad" terrorism lies at the heart of any battle to defeat terrorism. This now entails the courage to address directly the terrorists' and their state sponsors' rhetorical weapon of choice, the accusation of racism. In fact, their claim inverts the very heart of a civil libertarian agenda, since it is closely associated with a deep-rooted antisemitism.
Topic:
Security, Religion, and Terrorism
Political Geography:
Middle East, Arabia, and Durban