Counter-terrorism in Europe and the case of radicalism in France

Abstract

This dissertation looks at the phenomenon of radicalisation, particularly in France, and analyses the threat of jihadism in the country and role of the European Union in counterterrorism operations. It looks at how individuals might be radicalised and the conditions that might facilitate this process, whilst also looking at the development of jihadism over the years, with special importance being given to France. This dissertation analyses the development of counter-terrorism measures in both France and the European Union, and subsequently uses a case study of the 13th November 2015 Paris terrorist attacks in order to analyse how terrorist attacks are precipitated and how counter-terrorism measures act out in practise. The nature of the jihadist threat is found to be a transnational ideology which appeals to individuals as a path to Allah, and the conditions that facilitate this process, such as the socio-economic conditions present in areas of Europe, are highlighted. The shortcomings of counter-terrorism practices in Europe are pinpointed in the process of highlighting of the role European Union in conjunction with the nature of the terrorist threat. The role of the European Union is found to be that of being a facilitator to Member States, providing the tools and instruments to enhance their individual and collective capabilities.