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2. Countering Violent Extremism: Videopower and Cyberspace
- Author:
- J. Rami Mroz
- Publication Date:
- 02-2008
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EastWest Institute
- Abstract:
- The development of global communications technology, in this case digitial video and cyberspace, has diminished the importance of geographic proximity for violent extremists. It is now possible for them to communicate instantly with supporters (or potential supporters) in nearly all parts of the world. Violent extremists are limited far more by their access, or their supporter's access to, technology than by geography. The characteristics of the Internet, its potential anonymity, however temporary, and its high speed, create problems in developing counter-strategies. Violent extremists use these mediums in very similar ways regardless of culture, beliefs, ethnicity, or socio-economic status.
- Topic:
- Security, Political Violence, Science and Technology, and Terrorism
3. Narcoterrorism
- Author:
- Jonas Hartelius
- Publication Date:
- 03-2008
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EastWest Institute
- Abstract:
- The concept of “narcoterrorism” was introduced in 1983 by the Peruvian President Belaunde Terry to designate terrorist-like attacks against his country's drug enforcement police. Drug criminals utilized methods from political assailants to influence the politics of the country by causing terror and obstructing justice. Later, ideology-driven terrorist organizations took up illegal drug trade as a source of income.
- Topic:
- Terrorism
4. PROTECT! People, Economies and Infrastructure
- Author:
- Saleem Vaillancourt and William Boyd
- Publication Date:
- 06-2007
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EastWest Institute
- Abstract:
- “Do you feel more secure today than you did one year ago?” At the beginning of the East West Institute's 4th Worldwide Security Conference (WSC4), held on February 22-24, 2007 in Brussels, most attendees gave a pessimistic reaction to this straw poll. Two themes were central to the conference. Firstly, that at the core of counter-terrorism is the essential task of not allowing terrorist violence to dictate the nature and function of our society; and secondly, that terrorism is illegitimate and criminal. Terrorism cannot damage our liberties and rights, and it is a crime, not a war. Are we winning the long-term struggle against current terrorist groups and movements? The conference said no. Are the terrorists winning the propaganda war? The conference said yes.
- Topic:
- Security, International Cooperation, and Terrorism
- Political Geography:
- Brussels
5. PROTECT! Building a Global Network to Combat Terrorists
- Author:
- Greg Austin, Stephen Sullivan, Christine Lynch, and Daniel Bautista
- Publication Date:
- 06-2007
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EastWest Institute
- Abstract:
- The EastWest Institute's 4th Worldwide Security Conference brought attention to two unfortunate realities. More than half of the 600 public officials and private sector participants, all of them involved in some way in counter-terrorism, felt that we are far from winning the long-term struggle against terrorism. Secondly, there was majority support for the view that terrorists are winning the propaganda war.
- Topic:
- Security, International Cooperation, and Terrorism
6. PROTECT! Civilians and Civil Rights in Counter-Terrorist Operations
- Author:
- Greg Austin and Aisha Sabadia
- Publication Date:
- 04-2007
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EastWest Institute
- Abstract:
- In their efforts to defeat well-organized and well-armed terrorist groups, state agencies face difficult choices about how much force to use and how to distinguish between possible terrorists and the civilian populations amongst which they operate clandestinely. Terrorists lack scruples about locating themselves in or launching their operations from civilian areas.
- Topic:
- Conflict Prevention, Human Rights, International Cooperation, and Terrorism
7. Preventing Nuclear Terrorism: The Moscow - Washington Alliance
- Author:
- Ken Berry
- Publication Date:
- 02-2007
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EastWest Institute
- Abstract:
- The United States and Russia have the biggest responsibility for countering nuclear terrorism because together they account for the overwhelming share of global nuclear materials, expertise and weapons. The two countries also have between them the most substantial capacities in counter-terrorism intelligence and response. There is little to separate the two in their policies against nuclear terrorism. Where there are differences in approach on some aspects of nuclear proliferation, the two countries have accepted an obligation as the pre-eminent nuclear powers to try to narrow their differences. The international community cannot defeat nuclear terrorism or limit it without an active and vigorous alliance between Washington and Moscow.
- Topic:
- Arms Control and Proliferation, Development, International Cooperation, and Terrorism
- Political Geography:
- Russia, United States, Washington, and Moscow
8. Securing Europe and Its Neighbours
- Author:
- John Edwin Mroz
- Publication Date:
- 09-2005
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EastWest Institute
- Abstract:
- Europe's policy makers currently face two key challenges: finding new methods for governments to work better together, and identifying new ways for businesses and civil society to protect the continent's citizens, infrastructure and economies from the threat of terrorism. The terrorist attacks in Madrid on 11 March 2004 and London on 7 July 2005 were vivid reminders that not enough has been done.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, Government, and Terrorism
- Political Geography:
- Europe and London
9. Reconceptualizing NATO
- Author:
- István Gyarmati and Christopher Walker
- Publication Date:
- 07-2002
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EastWest Institute
- Abstract:
- With the NATO summit in Prague less than six months away, leaders on both sides of the Atlantic must quickly construct a new vision for the Alliance. Making NATO relevant for the 21st century requires developing a realistic plan for restructuring forces and re-examining long-held assumptions. NATO leaders must strike a course that recognizes a dramatically changed international landscape. Terrorism, organized crime, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and related technologies, and militant fundamentalism have risen to the top of most threat assessments. NATO has not yet made the adjustments necessary to meet these new threats. Political and commercial rifts between the United States and Europe are growing wider, and the technology and capabilities gap between America and its allies draws into question the relevance of European militaries. At the same time, the Alliance is poised to invite a set of new members – possibly as many as seven – to join its ranks. Policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic thus face the daunting challenge of meeting the commitment of enlarging the Alliance while simultaneously transforming it.
- Topic:
- Defense Policy, NATO, International Cooperation, and Terrorism
- Political Geography:
- Russia, America, Europe, and Asia
10. Russia's Southern Regions: Threats and Opportunities
- Author:
- Robert Orttung
- Publication Date:
- 06-2002
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EastWest Institute
- Abstract:
- Instability in Russia's southern regions poses a threat to the continuation of the country's overall political and economic reform, and to regional stability in Central Eurasia. These regions, which already possess Russia's most fragile local economics, face a variety of problems emanating from the weak and failing states to their immediate south. Most visibly, there is the threat of terrorism, an increasing flow of illegal narcotics from producers in Afghanistan, an influx of contraband goods that wipe out Russian jobs, and illegal immigration. With few resources and extensive corruption among key officials, Russia's southern regions are poorly equipped to deal with these problems. Developing mutually beneficial trade links between Russia's southern regions and its neighbors in Central Asia, China, and Mongolia can mitigate instability and economic stagnation in this region, help to rebuild regional economies, generate income, and better enable governments to provide security and basic human services to their people. The West can support these developments as well as help combat organized crime, target corruption, and improve border security.
- Topic:
- Security, Economics, International Cooperation, and Terrorism
- Political Geography:
- Afghanistan, Russia, China, Europe, Mongolia, and Asia