Outline Global politics draft.

(1)
Today I will present the global political challenge of security which as Dr Martin Shaw says is not
only made up of a military factor but also the political, economic, and societal components of
security. He advocates for a comprehensive approach to security that considers diverse aspects
impacting human security on a global scale.
My political issue is the failure of international security and information sharing. I will be analysing
the case study of the March 22nd terrorist attacks in and around Brussels by ISIS. In 2016, two suicide
bombers attacked the international airport of Zaventem just outside of Brussels and the public
transport in the European district of Brussels. The attackers Ibrahim El Bakraoui, Najim Laachoui,
and Khalid El Bakroui all held dual Belgian and Moroccan nationalities, according to the New York
Times the Bakraoui brothers were known to Belgian authorities for their involvement in organized
crime before their extremist activities came to light shortly before the Brussels attacks. In this case
study, security as a global political challenge relates to the fact that the Bakroui brothers could evade
capture despite being on authorities' radar, and that underscored significant intelligence failings and
challenges in combating terrorism effectively.
Both Khalid and Ibrahim El Bakraoui had been arrested previously for unrelated crimes, with Khalid
serving a prison sentence for armed robbery and car theft, while Ibrahim was sentenced for opening
fire on policemen during a burglary. Authorities were aware of Khalid’s activities, including calls to
obtain weapons, and had searched his house days before the Paris attacks in November 2015.
Evidence of radicalization was found on his laptop, but no arrests were made at that time.
Additionally, Ibrahim had been caught in Turkey in June 2015 on suspicions of terrorism but was sent
back to Europe without further follow-up by Belgian police. So, a combination of intelligence
deficiencies, lack of coordination between authorities, failures in monitoring known suspects, and
delays in acting on warnings contributed to the Belgian authorities’ inability to capture the Bakroui
brothers before they carried out the attacks on Brussels.
The lack of coordination between authorities and intelligence-sharing failures across Europe highlight
significant challenges in inter-agency cooperation and information exchange, particularly in
combating transnational threats like terrorism.
In the context of intelligence sharing, states may prioritize their national interest over collective
security concerns, leading to hesitancy in sharing sensitive information with other countries. The fear
of compromising privileged relationships with non-EU partners or losing control over intelligence
sources can hinder effective cooperation. So, the realist perspective of Alessandro Politi would be to
prioritize the self-interest nature of states in the international system. His work delves into the
necessity of European intelligence cooperation and the obstacles related to trust and information
sharing among EU member states. The European intelligence space has been evolving towards a more
consolidated trans governmental network, reflecting efforts to improve cooperation among
intelligence agencies. However, challenges persist due to issues of trust, resource allocation, and
differing levels of professionalism among intelligence services.

Gerald Gaus, a prominent scholar in political philosophy, has contributed significantly to the
understanding of liberal perspectives on international cooperation and security issues. In the realm of
intelligence cooperation and security, Gaus’s writings offer insights into how liberal principles can
shape states’ interactions and decision-making processes. Gaus’s analysis emphasizes the importance
of building trust and establishing mechanisms for collaboration to overcome barriers to intelligence
sharing. By addressing concerns about sovereignty and ensuring that information exchange
is conducted in a manner that respects the autonomy states while promoting collective security
objectives, his work sheds light on how liberal principles can guide efforts to enhance intelligence-
sharing practices within the framework of international cooperation.
NATO’s intelligence sharing relies mostly on the US intelligence services, especially the CIA. The
policies of other major intelligence can influence the extent of information sharing, as existing treaties
or agreements may restrict intelligence cooperation with external partners
Robert Friedlander’s analysis on the 2015 Paris attacks and the 2016 Brussels attacks delves into the
intricate network led by Khalid Zerkani, a key figure in radicalizing individuals involved in the Paris
and Brussels attacks. The study explores how his network played a significant role in facilitating the
radicalization and recruitment of individuals who later carried out terrorist acts in both cities.
Extremist groups strategically introduce their narratives through close personal relationships,
exploiting group dynamics like ingroup/outgroup bias to develop support for violent ideologies. By
examining the organizational structure, communication channels, and radicalization processes within
Zerkani’s network Friedlander's study provides insights into how terrorist activities were planned and
executed.
Dr. Hedieh Mirahmadi, President of the World Organisation for resource development and Education,
points out that ISIS presents itself as a religious movement seeking to empower Sunni Muslims
against various enemies. The group's origins are rooted in a complex context in the middle east,
involving a religious revival and authoritarian governments that have eroded the social fabric, leading
to the rise of ISIS as a response to these conditions. They use religion to legitimize themselves and
their ideologies, to exploit the vulnerabilities of those who feel disenfranchised or alienated from
mainstream society.
Rik Coolsaet, an expert in terrorism at the University of Ghent, has extensively researched Belgian
social neglect and its impact on the attacks on Brussels. His study has highlighted the various societal
factors that contributed to the concentration of radical activity in Belgium, particularly in areas like
Molenbeek. He emphasizes the significance of historical roots such as waves of terrorism in the 1980s
and the 1990s like to unrest in the Middle East, as well as the presence of disaffection and mistrust of
state authorities within certain communities. Social neglect is present in a lot of places, especially in
Southampton, the presence of sign such as poor personal hygiene, inadequate living conditions,
malnutrition, and dehydration among vulnerable adults suggest a concerning level of social neglect
within the city. Addressing these issues is crucial to safeguarding the well-being and safety of
individuals who may be at risk due to neglect and abuse.
addressing social neglect goes beyond traditional security measures to encompass holistic approaches
that prioritize community well-being and inclusivity. By investing in social programs, education
initiatives, and integration efforts within marginalized communities, governments can create
environments that foster resilience against radicalization while promoting a sense of belonging and
empowerment among individuals at risk. This proactive approach not only prevents radicalization but
also strengthens societal cohesion, enhances security, and builds more resilient communities capable
of withstanding extremist ideologies.
While the goal of the terrorist attacks on Brussels was to install fear, cause, harm, and disrupt the
peace and stability of the city, multiple scholars emphasize the urgent need to address security
failures, enhance counter-terrorism cooperation, improve information sharing among security
agencies, prevent radicalization, and promote inclusive education and integration within communities
to prevent similar attacks in the future.
Amartya Sen, a renowned scholar in the field of economics and philosophy, has made significant
contributions to the theory of justice through his capabilities approach. This approach focuses on
enhancing individuals' capabilities and freedoms to lead lives they value, emphasizing the importance
of addressing inequalities, social injustices, and barriers that limit people's opportunities and well-
being. In the context of terrorism and security challenges such as the Brussels attacks on 22/03/2016,
Sen's capabilities approach can be applied to understand justice in a broader sense. By examining the
impact of terrorist acts on individuals' capabilities and freedoms, one can assess the ethical
implications of such violence on society. The attacks not only cause physical harm but also disrupt
communities, install fear, and potentially limit people's freedoms and opportunities to live securely
and pursue their goals.
From a radical feminist perspective, someone who is against all structural violence that harms
someone this is a good approach as it says that people should be enhanced in their freedom. You
could also say that relativism applies here as values should be culturally and individually determined.
Parashar's research underscores the complexities of power dynamics, knowledge production, and
responses to terrorism within a postcolonial framework. By unpacking how colonial legacies
influence contemporary understandings of (counter)terrorism, she calls for a deeper engagement with
postcolonial perspectives to critically analyse security practices, challenge dominant narratives, and
promote more inclusive and nuanced approaches to addressing terrorism in diverse global contexts.
We can use her work to analyse the situation and see that even in a postcolonial framework
knowledge production plays a crucial role. The knowledge that is shared and created dictates how
someone is going to act, and this connects back to the intelligence-sharing.
The terrorist attacks in and around Brussels on March 22nd, 2016, highlight the global political issue
of security and the lack of intelligence sharing. Even though the Bakraoui brothers were already on
the authority's radar they still managed to conduct their plan. After the attacks, the EU agreed that
they should work towards more trust and effective intelligence-sharing to prevent something like that
from happening again. They also made links between social neglect and the increase of radicalization.
So, the EU will also work towards more inclusivity. So, while the main goal of the terrorist attacks
was to dismantle the peace and put the country in fear it served mostly as an initiative for Europe to
work on their collaboration skills and their intelligence-sharing skills.