EU Counter-terrorism strategy [What Think Tanks are thinking]

The attack in Paris on the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in January 2015, and the ensuing wave of violence in which 17 people were killed, together with subsequent events in Belgium and Denmark, has prompted a debate in the European Union on strengthening its counter-terrorism strategy. On 12 February, EU heads of state and government discussed new initiatives that would aim, among other goals, at preventing Europeans from going to fight alongside jihadist militants in Syria and Iraq, and their returning to carry out attacks in Europe. At their informal meeting, the EU leaders called for stricter checks on people entering the Schengen area, better information-sharing and the rapid adoption of the Passenger Name Records (PNR) system.

This note offers links to a selection of recent commentaries and analyses by major international think-tanks and research institutes which analyse the internal security threat posed by terrorism and ways to contain it.

Compiled by Marcin Cesluk-Grajewski

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Fighting terrorism at EU level, an overview of Commission's actions, measures and initiatives http://www.europeansources.info/record/fighting-terrorism-at-eu-level-an-overview-of-commissions-actions-measures-and-initiatives/

ESO: Background Information: Council conclusions on counter-terrorism http://www.europeansources.info/record/council-conclusions-on-counter-terrorism/

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