TRANSATLANIC INTELLIGENCE SHARING AND THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

The 9/11 attacks against the United States shed light on the growing threat of international terrorist networks. Before 9/11, the US and its European allies were ill prepared to deal with the international nature of today's terrorist organizations, which utilize modern technologies such as the internet, advanced communication networks, and social media to finance, plan and execute attacks. Although traditional US-European alliances remain strong, they are unable to adequately combat global terrorism. As a result, intelligence sharing and counterterrorism coordination between the US and Europe has increased significantly since the 9/11 attacks. The US and the EU are developing complex, and sometimes controversial, intelligence sharing and counterterrorism relationships. This paper addresses the dynamic nature of the US-EU counterterrorism and intelligence sharing relationship. In addition to US-EU relations, this paper also addresses the special US-UK relationship in relation to intelligence sharing and counterterrorism coordination in the post 9/11 era.Master of Art