European anti-terrorism policy : a trans-atlantic perspective

European Anti-Terrorism Policy: A Trans-Atlantic Perspective European counter-terrorism policy since 2001, unlike that of the United States, has centered on the reinforcement of existing domestic law enforcement instruments and on multilateral action internationally creating at least the outlines of a distinctive ‘European model.’ Structural models, either realist or culturalist, provide at best partial explanations for this. A more complete analysis should take into account the role of political leaders and partisan politics, the perceived effectiveness and subjective status of available policy instruments, and the role of multiple and competing programmatic elites within the state.