EU should establish U.S.-style intelligence agency: EU president
“If something can be imagined, there is a chance it will happen,” the report say. Europe must collectively live up to a new reality that will be with us for at least a generation – a new enemy who is inherently transnational, digitally savvy, and out to inflict the biggest possible carnage on innocent civilians. New technologies that are seemingly innocuous in everyday use can be conduits for radicalizing young people and powering simultaneous terrorist attacks. Scientific advancements can be abused for transmission of communicable diseases, contamination of food, soil, air, and drinking water by chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) agents. “In the face of such adversity, the European project has to muster the collective determination to stare down this new threat – and do so fast. That is why the time is ripe for a genuine ‘Security Union’,” the report says
The current level of fragmentation makes Europe vulnerable and calls for leaders to act together when the safety and physical integrity of citizens are put into grave danger. The report says that the plan it offers is not only a plan of technocratic actions. It is first and foremost a political commitment to send a clear message that Europe is united in its resolve to fight terrorism.
The report offers four broad recommendations:
Achieving breakthroughs in information sharing
Fragmentation makes Europe vulnerable, starting from European understanding of the terrorist threat. This points to the need to realize a European modular, integrated identity management system based on biometry and anchored to common criteria. Such an integrated system will not be achieved overnight, but it requires immediate steps to be taken: the establishment of an “interoperable by design” principle for existing databases, of a legally binding duty to share information, and of a duty to consult the common system for all Member States.
Boosting resources for counter-terrorism
The resources and operational capacity of the European Counter Terrorism Center (ECTC) at Europol must be significantly strengthened. Member States should commit themselves to permanent secondment of counter-terrorism experts in addition to ad hoc support on enhanced cross-border investigations. Ensuring compliance in secondment and information sharing requires incentives such as peer review, regular scoreboards and ex-post assessments.
Creating a genuine digital strategy
Radicalization has multiple causes but it thrives on the limitless possibilities offered by modern technology. There is no quicker way to spread hatred than through the Internet or mobile networks. Responding to this challenge is a shared task of governments, businesses, and citizens at large. Agreed standards can help identify and take down radical content. Technological autonomy is key: Public-Private Partnerships are needed to identify, report, and dismantle the abuse of social and digital platforms for radicalization, recruitment, and the perpetration of terrorist activities.
Stepping up action to prevent radicalization
Terrorists are criminals who have to be pursued but equal determination is needed to make sure their message does not spread to new followers. The work of the Radicalization Awareness Network needs to be stepped up while political dialogue should be launched with the European Muslim community to facilitate its role in the fight against radicalization. To this end, the Commission can mobilize a wide array of tools in the areas of social affairs and employment, youth and sports, education and culture.
— Read more in Towards a “Security Union”: Bolstering the EU’s Counter-Terrorism Response (EPSC, April 2016)
