Date of Publication

7-2025

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in International Studies Major in European Studies

Subject Categories

International and Area Studies

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

International Studies

Thesis Advisor

Charmaine M. Willoughby

Defense Panel Chair

Elaine Nicolas Tolentino

Defense Panel Member

John Louis B. Benito
Ryan Murphy Pe

Abstract/Summary

In the wake of the 9/11 attacks in the US, states have realized the intensity of the threat of terrorism domestically and globally. Following the launch of the US War on Terror, the world was expected to follow its lead and support the fight against terrorism. In response to this, many states focused their counterterrorism policies on the use of military power and increasing military capabilities to intercept terrorist operations and apprehend top leaders and members of various terrorist organizations. While military power is vital to the success of counterterrorism efforts, various shortcomings and challenges also come with it. Increasingly, studies point towards nonmilitary domestic issues as the main root causes of terrorism, thereby raising questions on the effectiveness of military-centric counterterrorism policy and the need to incorporate measures addressing them.

To understand how soft counterterrorism measures aimed at addressing the root causes of terrorism can be implemented alongside military efforts, this study examines the counterterrorism strategies of the UK, Singapore, and France. Using the theory of neoclassical realism, this study examines how international (the US War on Terror) and domestic (leader images, strategic culture, and state-society relations) factors impact the formulation and implementation of soft counterterrorism policies. Furthermore, this study argues that combining hard and soft approaches to counterterrorism is more effective in preventing and protecting a state against the threat of terrorism.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Terrorism--United Kingdom; Terrorism--Singapore; Terrorism--France; Terrorism—Prevention; War on Terrorism, 2001-2009; Political realism

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Embargo Period

7-14-2025

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