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2. To what extent was Western intelligence at fault in failing to indentify the nature of the terrorist threat before 9/11 and its aftermath?
- Author:
- Fernando Celaya
- Publication Date:
- 01-2009
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Athena Intelligence Journal
- Institution:
- Athena Intelligence
- Abstract:
- In reflecting on the extensive literature and research on intelligence failures and particularly that which ensued in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US, Indonesia and those in Europe, this analysis concludes that intelligence, and particularly Western intelligence, cannot be completely at fault for the failure to identify appropriately and forewarn about the occurrence of historical discontinuity events. Western policymakers, economic advisers, as well as socio-economic elites' performance throughout the 1980s and 1990s reveals flaws in long-term policy planning and decision-making with serious repercussions for strategic intelligence analysis. The inability to forecast historical discontinuity events is a key element of intelligence and policy which needs further revision.
- Topic:
- Islam and Terrorism
- Political Geography:
- United States and Europe
3. Four Best Practices in Cooperation between Civil Society and Authorities with a View to the Prevention of the Violent Radicalization in Spain
- Author:
- José Antonio Peña-Ramos
- Publication Date:
- 07-2008
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Athena Intelligence Journal
- Institution:
- Athena Intelligence
- Abstract:
- Madrid and London terrorist attacks in 2004 and 2005, European counterparts to those carried out in New York and Washington during 2001, have steadily increased EU institutions' concern about the phenomenon of violent radicalization, specially that of Islamist nature, as a possible previous step leading to Jihadist terrorism in a context of a continuous and even growing flow of immigration, namely from Muslim origins. The European Council deems paramount to achieve a deeper cooperation between civil society and authorities towards the prevention of these radicalization phenomena.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, Islam, Migration, and Terrorism
- Political Geography:
- Europe, Gaza, Romania, and Spain
4. Information Operations during Counterinsurgency Operations: Essential Option for a Limited Response
- Author:
- Raimundo Rodríguez Roca
- Publication Date:
- 01-2008
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Athena Intelligence Journal
- Institution:
- Athena Intelligence
- Abstract:
- The importance of Information in the XXI century has become a fact that nobody can deny. The relevant role of the Information in societies can be observed as well during the development of conflicts where western forces participate. That is one of the reasons why controlling information flow arises as a significant requirement. The purpose of this article is to present a theory of operational and tactical information operations (IO) employment, as limited and non-lethal effects during counterinsurgency operations (COIN), with an important role to support area control. Firstly, this study will mainly focus on four integrating elements of IO: psychological operations (PSYOPS), civil-military operations (CMO), public affairs (PA) and computer network operations (CNO). Secondly, a practical case of IO execution will be simulated and a concept of operation will be developed. It should be noted that the approach presented herein is from a Spanish Army perspective. As we will appreciate in this article, the knowledge and managing of IO and the employment of CNO as a tool to empower PSYOPS, CMO and PA activities is of extreme significance and it will become essential to understand and to face the scenes of future conflicts and new wars.
- Topic:
- Defense Policy
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Spain
5. The Effects of Suicide Attacks against Military Forces
- Author:
- José Luis Calvo Albero
- Publication Date:
- 01-2008
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Athena Intelligence Journal
- Institution:
- Athena Intelligence
- Abstract:
- Existen numerosas experiencias de radicalización yihadista en prisiones, algunas de elias también en España. Este artículo describe en primer lugar la situación de los internos de origen musulmán en las prisiones españolas. Seguidamente analiza los retos y las disfunciones que actualmente afronta el sistema penitenciario español. Se trata de puntos débiles que afectan a la relación entre internos yihadistas y presos comunes de origen musulmán, a la vigilancia y control de la vida cotidiana de los internos, de la posible difusión de documentos radicales dentro de las prisiones y de las comunicaciones entre el interior y exterior de los centros. En conjunto, se advierte la falta de un plan estratégico por parte de la Administración penitenciaria para la prevención de la radicalización yihadista.
- Topic:
- Islam
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Spain
6. Prevention of Jihadist Radicalization in Spanish Prisons. Current Situation, Challenges and Dysfunctions of the Penitentiary System
- Author:
- Javier Jordán, Humberto Trujillo, and Jose Antonio Gutiérrez
- Publication Date:
- 01-2008
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Athena Intelligence Journal
- Institution:
- Athena Intelligence
- Abstract:
- There are many experiences of jihadist radicalization in prisons, some of them also in Spain. This article first describes the situation of Muslim convicts in Spanish prisons. Following, it analyzes the challenges and inefficiencies that the Spanish penitentiary system is currently facing. These are weaknesses that affect the relationship between convict jihadists and common prisoners of Muslim origin, the prevention and control of the prisoners' daily lives, the diffusion of radical documents inside the prisons and the communication between the interior and exterior of the center. Overall, it is noticeable the lack of a strategic plan from the penitentiary Administration for the prevention of jihadist radicalization.
- Topic:
- Islam and Terrorism
- Political Geography:
- Europe, Romania, and Spain
7. Terrorism in Europe: The local aspects of a global threat
- Author:
- Julian Richards
- Publication Date:
- 01-2007
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Athena Intelligence Journal
- Institution:
- Athena Intelligence
- Abstract:
- There is no doubt that Al Qaeda-inspired jihadist terrorism has capitalised on globalization in many ways. Using multimedia communications, the "single narrative" linking together perceived wrongs against Muslims across the world can be downloaded and sampled immediately, anywhere in the world. By portraying his message across the internet or 24/7 newsreels on satellite television, Usama Bin Laden and his cohorts have acted as an exciting inspiration for a generation of alienated Muslims youths in backrooms across the globe. In this way, the person that Australian counter-terrorist analyst David Kilcullen claimed would otherwise be a "crank in a cave" has managed to transform himself into something of a global icon.
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Australia
8. Reflections on 3/11 Madrid Bombings Sentence
- Author:
- Luis de la Corte Ibáñez
- Publication Date:
- 10-2007
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Athena Intelligence Journal
- Institution:
- Athena Intelligence
- Abstract:
- Este análisis extrae algunas conclusiones sobre la sentencia del 11-M, hecha pública el pasado uno de noviembre. En particular, los comentarios vertidos en las siguientes páginas abordarán tres cuestiones sucesivas: el definitivo debacle de las llamadas teorías conspirativas, los aspectos explicativos del 11-M que no pudieron ser suficientemente tratados en la mencionada sentencia y los fallos que facilitaron la comisión de los atentados
- Topic:
- Terrorism
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Spain
9. The Morabitun World Movement in Spain
- Author:
- Jesús González and Andrés Gómez
- Publication Date:
- 10-2007
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Athena Intelligence Journal
- Institution:
- Athena Intelligence
- Abstract:
- El nombre de "al-Murabitún" remite al menos a tres movimientos o grupos separados temporalmente aunque con un objetivo compartido: la lucha contra el infiel desviado del camino del Islam. El primer referente histórico lo constituyen los Murabitún de Al-Andalus ("hombres de la Ribat"), almorávides de la dinastía bereber - los más temidos guerreros de la época, por cierto- en los actuales Marruecos, Mauritania, Argelia Occidental y España entre 1056/1060 y 1 147 d. C
- Topic:
- Islam
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Spain
10. Spanish Society Three Years after 3/11 Madrid Bombings
- Author:
- Domingo Jiménez
- Publication Date:
- 10-2007
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Athena Intelligence Journal
- Institution:
- Athena Intelligence
- Abstract:
- El objetivo del presente trabajo es describir la evolución de la percepción de la amenaza yihadista en los últimos tres años intentando identificar las causas que hayan podido incidir en las oscilaciones, si las hubiese. Tomando como punto de partida los trabajos que han estudiado el modo en el que los atentados de Madrid pudieron incidir en las elecciones generales de 2004 y viendo los resultados de los estudios de opinión realizados desde esa fecha en nuestro país (principalmente los barómetros de CIS y los del Real Instituto Elcano que han cubierto estos aspectos), hemos descrito la evolución de la percepción de los españoles acerca del terrorismo yihadista durante este período.
- Topic:
- Civil Society and Terrorism
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Spain
11. Spanish Jihadist Networks: Evolution after 3/11 Madrid Bombings
- Author:
- Javier Jordán
- Publication Date:
- 10-2007
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Athena Intelligence Journal
- Institution:
- Athena Intelligence
- Abstract:
- Más de tres años después de los atentados del 11 de marzo de 2004, las Fuerzas y Cuerpos de Seguridad del Estado continúan desarticulando redes yihadistas en nuestro país. Durante este tiempo los medios de comunicación han venido prestando atención a las operaciones policiales de cierto calado y, en los últimos meses, también han logrado espacio informativo las proclamas yihadistas a favor de la recuperación de Al-Andalus. Parece claro que España sigue amenazada por el terrorismo yihadista pero la capacidad de real de estos grupos para volver atentar resulta un tanto confusa
- Topic:
- Islam and Terrorism
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Spain
12. Favourable Situations for the Jihadist Recruitment. The Neighborhood of Principe Alfonso (Ceuta, Spain)
- Author:
- Javier Jordán and Humberto Trujillo
- Publication Date:
- 10-2006
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Athena Intelligence Journal
- Institution:
- Athena Intelligence
- Abstract:
- The Spanish mass media have transmitted during the past weeks various news concerning the presence of jihadist activities in the cities of Ceuta and Melilla (two enclaves of Spain in North Africa): including the detention of suspected jihadists implicated in the terrorist attack of Casablanca in May 2003; the expulsion from the Spanish Army of three members belonging to professional troops for their supposed sympathy with radical Islam; and the appearance of a declaration on a internet forum from a group called Nadim al-Magrebi, calling for jihad against Spain and demanding expressively for the 'liberation' of both cities through terrorist attacks.
- Topic:
- Security, Civil Society, and Terrorism
- Political Geography:
- Europe, Spain, and North Africa