WORK IN COMMON : DEMOCRACIES AND OPPOSITION TO TERRORISM

This article argues for the imperative of close cooperation and "work in common" among the world's democracies in the global opposition to terrorism, particularly in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. It posits that democracies are uniquely threatened by terrorism, as it targets their open societies and fundamental values. The study examines the various dimensions of the required cooperation. These include enhanced intelligence sharing, joint law enforcement operations, coordinated efforts to combat the financing of terrorism, and the development of a common legal and normative framework. The research also explores the difficult challenges to this cooperation, such as the need to balance security measures with the protection of civil liberties, and the different legal traditions and strategic priorities of various democratic states. The paper concludes that despite these challenges, a strong and united front of democratic nations is the most effective and legitimate basis for a long-term and successful global campaign against terrorism.

The fight against transnational terrorism in the post-9/11 era requires an unprecedented level of international cooperation. This paper makes the case that the world's democracies have a special responsibility and a unique capacity to lead this effort. The analysis begins by arguing that terrorism poses a distinct and existential threat to democratic societies, as its goal is not just to kill, but to spread fear and to provoke a response that undermines the very freedoms and rule of law that democracies cherish. The core of the article is an outline of the key areas for "work in common." It provides a detailed discussion of the need for much deeper and more systematic intelligence sharing to disrupt terrorist plots. It also explores the critical importance of police and judicial cooperation to track, arrest, and prosecute terrorists across international borders. A significant part of the study is dedicated to the challenge of combating the financing of terrorism, which requires a coordinated global effort to regulate and monitor the international financial system. The paper also addresses the normative dimension, arguing that democracies must work together to build a global consensus that unequivocally rejects the legitimacy of terrorism for any cause. The findings lead to a clear conclusion: while a broad coalition is desirable, the core of the global anti-terrorism effort must be a strong and principled alliance of democracies, as they have the greatest stake in its success and the greatest capacity to prosecute it in a manner that is consistent with human rights and the rule of law.