Observatory on European defence, August-September 2001

September 2001
EU – NATO – Attack on the United States
On 11 September, the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington were struck by terrorist groups of Islamic origin, causing thousands of victims.
The following day, NATO countries formally acknowledged the attacks as an operation to which Article 5 of the Atlantic Treaty applies – the first time in NATO history in which the principle of collective defence has been called upon. This decision has not been followed by practical actions.
European countries unanimously expressed their solidarity to the USA; on 21 September the extraordinary European Council in Brussels issued some recommendations on a common policy to fight international terrorism.

It is difficult to understand what  present and future consequences the tragic events of 11 September will have on the international system.
Beyond expressing solidarity to the US, the European countries felt the need for a common political, legal and military answer to the present threats, tomake up for the weakness of their different policies. The global nature of the problem requires a common answer, but the present policies seem nationally biased.
The attention to common security and defence issues will probably increase, but the focus will shift from traditional force projection to the fight against terrorism.
One outcome could be closer cooperation between European intelligence agencies, possibly leading to a common European Intelligence.