Poland's Engagement in the Global War on Terrorism: Strategic Level Political and Military Implications

摘要

The events of September 11 started a new age in the history of the modern world. The attack on the World Trade Center broke a moral barrier in the way war was waged by worldwide terrorist organizations. World and local leaders realized that there is no safe place on this earth and that terrorists' capabilities had become almost unlimited. Such a situation caused many states to pledge their willingness to support the anti-terrorism coalition lead by the United States. The bombing in Madrid and hijacking of coalition countries' citizens in Iraq faltered the strength of the coalition and has caused some countries to step back. Despite recurrent menaces and over 20 citizens lost in Iraq, Polish policy regarding her involvement in the anti-terrorist coalition remains constant. This paper will examine Polish National Security Strategy and its Homeland Security Policy in response to the growing worldwide terrorism threat. Moreover, it will analyze the advantages and disadvantages of Poland's engagement in the anti-terrorism world coalition and present implications of Polish policy on political- and military-related issues.