Grey Threat: Presence of Jihadist Terrorism and Failings in the Portuguese National Security System

• NCJ Number: 223263
• Journal: Studies in Conflict & Terrorism Volume: 31 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2008 Pages: 456-479
• Author(s): Jose Vegar
• Date Published: May 2008
• Length: 24 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article identifies weaknesses in Portugal's national security system that have undermined its ability to counter both jihadist terrorism and global organized crime.

Abstract

The article first establishes a link between the nature of the threats created by jihad terrorism and global organized crime and the investigation model used by Portuguese intelligence and police entities in detecting and eliminating both of these threats. The article then reviews the manifestations of jihad terrorism and related organized crime recorded in Portugal since 2001, with attention to the most serious strategic threats: mass forgery of the national identity card; convenience marriages between Portuguese women and Muslim citizens illegally living in the European Union; and the existence of poorly controlled, clandestine mosques. An examination of the importance of intelligence work and criminal investigation in fighting these threats precedes an analysis of Portugal's capacity to confront these threats. The author argues that Portugal's capacity to confront the threats of jihad terrorism and related global organized crime have been seriously weakened by constraints and conflicts of jurisdiction in the national security system, the lack of effective coordination throughout the system, and delays in reforms for over a decade. These weaknesses are partly due to a revulsion among the Portuguese populace and politicians to the political repression under the country's fascist dictatorship from 1928 to 1974. Fears of the adoption of some of the old fascist intelligence, investigative, and police methods may have disabled some essential capabilities of security entities. This has led to an aversion to debate in Parliament on the security investigation model in a democratic system. This has obstructed the reform of the security system and a reassessment the powers needed by intelligence services and police in countering the tactics of terrorist and organized crime networks in Portugal. 112 notes