‘It is not a priority’

an analysis of terrorism prevention in Portugal

Authors

  • Augusto Xavier Magalhães Sampaio Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Centro de Estudos Internacionais. Lisboa, Portugal. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9870-6893
  • Raquel Beleza da Silva Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Centro de Estudos Internacionais. Lisboa, Portugal. / Faculdade de Economia da Universidade de Coimbra. Coimbra, Portugal. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5239-5919

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52781/cmm.a065

Keywords:

Portugal, Counter-terrorism, Prevention, Radicalization, Elite interviews

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand the mechanisms behind counter-terrorism operations in Portugal, focusing particularly on its prevention framework. The choice of this case study was motivated by the fact that despite having escaped major terrorist attacks in the period following 9/11, Portugal has, nonetheless, to uphold its own counter-terrorism strategy due to its placement within the European Union. In this sense, elite interviews have been conducted in order determine the components of the Portuguese preventative framework when it comes to terrorism, how it is aligned with European Union standards, and how it has prevented different forms of terrorism. The main findings of this study demonstrate that there are sparse efforts in Portugal in terms of preventing terrorism, which are justified by the unimportance of the terrorist threat in Portugal, but also by the excessive securitization of this issue. This study offers reflections for both research and practice.

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Published

2021-12-30

How to Cite

SAMPAIO, Augusto Xavier Magalhães; DA SILVA, Raquel Beleza. ‘It is not a priority’: an analysis of terrorism prevention in Portugal . Coleção Meira Mattos: revista das ciências militares, [S. l.], v. 16, n. 55, p. 133–151, 2021. DOI: 10.52781/cmm.a065. Disponível em: https://ebrevistas.eb.mil.br/RMM/article/view/8683. Acesso em: 4 mar. 2026.

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 55 (2022): Coleção Meira Mattos: revista das ciências militares

Section

Scientific Articles

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