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Email this citationCIAO DATE: 03/03
Coalition Dynamics in the War Against Terrorism
Ian O. Lesser
March 2002
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 counter-terrorism, before and after September 11 th , 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 counter-terrorism 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.
Modern counter-terrorism is an inherently international, multilateral exercise. As the dramatic events of September 11 th demonstrated, and as analysts and policymakers have long been aware, the new forms of terrorism are transnational, or more precisely, trans-regional. The risks cross borders and may have global reach. As a result, it is difficult to imagine effective counter-terrorism policies pursued on a national or unilateral basis. Again, the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon make this clear. The attacks left victims from over 80 countries. Suspects in the attack have been arrested in some 60 states. The majority of the planning for the September 11 th attacks, and for Al Qaeda operations outside of the Middle East in general, appears to have taken place in Europe. So even from the point of view of American counter-terrorism policy, understandably focused on “homeland defense,” international cooperation is essential.
