the conventional policing measures that governed the thinking of September 10 th . 56 The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq showcased this new approach to counterterrorism. The conflicts’ supposed failure can be seen to have cast doubt on the efficacy of the new policy and has since compelled extensive discourse on the most effective strategy to negate the threat that terrorism poses. This essay will assess these debates through a study of both counterterrorism approaches and their respective strengths and weaknesses. Prior to this analysis, an attempt to define terrorism will be undertaken and the complexities and discrepancies in doing this will be noted. The purpose of this will be to draw light to the contextual difficulties facing both military and policing approaches of counterterrorism. The essay will continue by highlighting the ways in which the military and policing models both possess their own unique benefits and setbacks that are, in part, deepened through the lack of a consistent definition within the subject field. In response to this analysis, this essay will then address the considerations of the similarities between the two models. The work will conclude by acknowledging the interdependent relationship that exists between these two models whilst also associating this understanding to the enduring need to strive for consistent understandings and policies within the field of terrorism.
Defining Terrorism
In order to fully comprehend the possible benefits and drawbacks of the policing and war models of counterterrorism, we must first understand the phenomenon in
56 Ibid, p. 2
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