Counterterrorism compared

The attacks of 11 September 2001 represented a new terrorist trend which targets liberal Western states. The United States and Germany both interpreted September 11 as a declaration of war and an imminent security threat. However, the two states adopted different counterterrorism concepts in response to the attacks: The U. S. endorsed a “war” against terrorism, whereas Germany delineated a “fight” against terrorism. Why do some policy-makers understand terrorism as a war and others as a crime – while facing the same terrorist threat? In this publication the author Vera Hanus examines why the U. S. and Germany recur to diverging counterterrorism concepts after September 11. The analysis first traces the difference to the rhetorical frames and the subsequent policy frameworks. Secondly, three theories of International Relations – Neorealism, Utilitarian Liberalism and Social Constructivist Institutionalism – serve as complex and throrough explanatory framework. This case study of transatlantic counterterrorism addresses the academic community, policy-makers, journalists and all those interested in International Relations and the study of terrorism and counterterrorism policy.