Comparison of the counter-terrorism strategy and policy of Northern Essay

Comparison of the counter-terrorism strategy and policy of Northern Ireland (IRA) and Spain (ETA). What does the comparison tell us about counter-terrorism - Essay Example This paper’s focus will be on the two nation states of Spain and Northern Ireland. Both nations faced turbulent times, due to the presence of terrorist organizations i.e. the IRA of Northern Ireland and Spain’s ETA and their associated activities. They engaged in different strategic responses, which proved to being successful in some cases and unsuccessful in others. The paper will dwell on how these two nations tackled existing threats, providing a comparison between strategies utilized, in addition to the prevailing socio-economic and political contexts. Similarities and differences will thus be discussed, aiming at providing a wholesome picture of what counter-terrorism entails. Terrorism as an activity, despite the aims, goals, mission and ideals behind it, has not legal basis in contemporary society. Under international law, as Mackinnon (2007) portrays, terrorism has no definition in terms of criminal law that is legally binding. Instead, common definitions are usually in reference mainly to the kind of acts and action, which are violent in nature; and intended to create mass fear/ terror (Mackinnon, 2007:609). Usually, these are perpetrated in the name of political, ideological and religious goals amongst others; deliberately targeting non-combatants with disregard. In addition, acts of war and unlawful violence have also been included, in addition to the violent nature of criminal organizations (Mackinnon, 2007:612). To be noted is that other criminal activities, especially by organized crime syndicates, only turns into terrorism when there is a political, ideological or religious motive. In addition is that there is also need to divert from focus on terrorism’s frequent association with religious overtones i.e. jihadism, to more somber analysis of all violent acts perpetrated against non-combatants. ‘Terrorism’ as a term, is not only emotionally charged, but also politically loaded. This is