Counterterrorism Policies in Germany

This contribution gives an overview of experiences with terrorism and the development of counterterrorism strategies in Germany. The formal definition of "terrorist offences" is found in §§ 129a, b Criminal Code. With that, the Federal Republic of Germany has implemented the EU framework decision on terrorism. § 129a encloses a wide approach to terrorist offences and covers recruitment, training, preparatory acts, financing etc. Special arrangements for preventive detention without charge in terror cases do not exist; however, § 129a may serve as a ground to impose pre-trial detention without resorting to conventional grounds such as risk of absconding or obstruction of justice

Country Reports on Terrorism 2019

This 2019 report details terrorist activities occuring around the world and provides an overview of areas where international and regional terrorist organizations may have a presence or foothold and access to financial or other types of support

Money Laundering and Central Bank Governance in The European Union

Dirty money is often a by-product or a symptom of political corruption in the jurisdictions in which it originates. It can also spread corruption and erode democracy on its journey to its final destination. This typically involves multiple jurisdictions and is the reason why it is so hard to detect. Recently, a series of money laundering scandals have highlighted weaknesses in the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) framework of the European Union (EU), the implementation of which remains the responsibility of Member States. The paper argues that EU’s defences against money laundering have been weakened partly reflecting a little-known erosion in the independence of Member State central banks, which are often the AML supervisors. It puts forward a number of new proposals to strengthen the governance and AML/CFT implementation in the EU

The role of the UNSC in combating the financing of terrorism in North, West and East Africa

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in 33% fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Management (in the field of Security) 23 March 2016The manifestation of terrorism on the African continent has increasingly become a major emerging and evolving security concern. Based on the number of incidents happening on the continent, it is evident that the approach in addressing this phenomenon needs to be rethought, restrategised and redesigned in order to maximise the effect of current counter interventions by different organisations. At the centre of terrorism is the financing thereof. The bulk of this study will focus on the financing of terrorism and how the United Nations Security Council respond to it focussing on North, West and East Africa. Results should not just address the challenges of the current environment, but should be able to stand the test of time and ensure that these horrific activities do not re-occur. In order to reach this stage, it is critical that all role-players, stakeholders and organisations work together to ensure that the crisis is addressed in the most effective way, but also, critically, managed under the umbrella of an organisation that has the capability, resources, capacity and leadership to intervene in these situations successfully. The United Nations Security Council is the one organisation that can fulfil this role.MB201

Beyond Carrots and Sticks: An Analysis of U.S. Approaches to Counterterrorism From 2000-2016

Soft power, a concept developed and presented by Joseph Nye in 1990, has quickly become a critical concept in U.S. foreign policy. Scholars and practitioners discuss the utility or futility of soft power. Theorists rank countries by their use of effective soft power against one another. Critically lacking in the discussion, however, is an analysis of how one country’s use of soft power changes, or remains the same, over time. Counterterrorism policy has been a focus of U.S. foreign policy since 9/11, and while there is a robust discussion on effectiveness of various policies and strategies, scholars have routinely failed to analyze the components of approaches over time. This study analyzes how the U.S. used soft power and hard power to combat terrorism from 2000-2016. This research analyzes the administrations of George W. Bush and Barack H. Obama in their preferences for hard and soft power approaches in their ideas, plans, and actions. Using a set of indicators against a research body of memoirs, budget levels, data on attacks, speeches, policies, and immigration data, this study concludes that ultimately counterterrorism policy in the U.S. remained relatively constant in execution despite Obama’s increase in preference for soft power approaches in ideas and plans, as compared to Bush

RULE OF LAW IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA OVER THE LAST DECADE EVALUATED BY INTERNATIONAL AUTHORITIES

As the Republic of Macedonia (RM) is on its way to the European Union (EU), we consider it important to analyze the level of rule of law as one of the preconditions for membership. The issue of rule of law in the RM has been debated by other scholars over the years, but not from a ten-year perspective involving the evaluation of relevant international authorities. The purpose of this research paper is to analyze the shortcomings in the functioning of the rule of law in RM. As a framework of this research, the relevant data on the rule of law in the countries of Southeast Europe, the annual progress reports of the European Commission on the rule of law in the RM, the evaluations of other international actors, the results of previous research, such as government documents and institutional reforms devoted to the rule of law are used. The critical assessment of the functioning of the rule of law in the RM in this research should create a positive and motivating effect for the political authorities to reform the justice system in accordance with the needs of the citizens and the key Euro-integration processes. Finally, we will draw conclusions and make suggestions to serve the wider academic community, policymakers, and stakeholders who may raise issues as a problem that requires appropriate treatment

Emerging threats to Nigeria’s National Security : case study : Boko Haram

Boko Haram, the deadly terrorist sect has gained an international sensation and there is “no stopping them”. From the 2011 UN building bomb attack to the 2014 abduction of over 270 Chibok girls which brought about the hashtag #bringbackourgirls, there have been uncountable loss of lives and properties. Over the years, despite its split into various factions, this has neither disintegrated, slowed them down in their deadly executions nor mitigated their widespread tentacles in recruiting members both in Nigeria and across its neighbouring states. This emerging security threat has hampered the sustainable development of Nigeria affecting its very hem both in the economic, social, and political sectors, as well as education, thereby creating animosity in ethnic and religious cleavages which have resulted to clashes and conflicts. This thesis aims to analyse emerging threats to Nigeria’s national security and to investigate the growing security challenges that have progressed beyond national borders. From the North-East to the South-South geopolitical regions of the country, the nation is facing a very difficult task to curb terrorism and insecurities that are threatening its foundations. The Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, farmer/herdsmen conflicts, destruction of the country’s oil facilities by the Niger Delta militants, human trafficking, child abduction, cultism, etc will be analysed in this work to better comprehend its consequences in the Nigerian State

The ISCIP Analyst, Volume V, Issue 8

This repository item contains a single issue of The ISCIP Analyst, an analytical review journal published from 1996 to 2010 by the Boston University Institute for the Study of Conflict, Ideology, and Policy