The European Union and Weapons of Mass Destruction Terrorism

Creative Commons License

Cebeci E. M.

Defence Against Terrorism Review, cilt.5, sa.1, ss.77-98, 2013 (Hakemli Dergi)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 5 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2013
  • Dergi Adı: Defence Against Terrorism Review
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: EBSCO Education Source
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.77-98
  • Marmara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) are defined by the European Union (EU) as “potentially the greatest threat” to European security. Their acquisition by terrorists is particularly named as the “most frightening scenario” in the European Security Strategy. This article analyses the EU’s policy on WMD terrorism by looking at its non-proliferation efforts with a view to portraying their impact on counterterrorism. Rather than designing specific ways to address WMD terrorism, the EU attempts to tackle this issue as part of its non-proliferation policies. This is why the EU’s policy on WMD terrorism remains rather limited and declaratory. The EU encounters problems in conducting an effective policy of non-proliferation mainly because it is not a unitary actor. This surely affects the EU’s counter-WMD terrorism efforts and relationship with its partners such as the US and NATO. This article concludes that the EU should achieve coherence in its policies and design new ways for dealing with WMD terrorism.

Keywords: European Union, Weapons of Mass Destruction terrorism, Non-Proliferation, counterterrorism, Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN)

terrorism