A German Perspective on Counter-terrorism

Germany is challenged by the impact of 9/11 and the fight against terrorism. Even if Germany does not seem to be in the center of the terrorist threat, the arrest of three terrorist suspects on September 4, 2007 shows the presence of such a threat and the need to reduce the danger. But the fight against terrorism itself can also become a threat to certain persons and in the end to the constitutional state founded on the rule of law (Rechtsstaat). This article discusses the El-Masri case as an impressive example of that threat.… [more]