Poland, Schengen and terrorism - the analysis of the islamist terrorist threat in Poland

Abstract

This thesis examines the emergence of Islamist terrorism in Poland with a special emphasis on the role of Schengen within this process. The Schengen area is one of the most ambitious and successful integration examples in the world today. The free movement of people, goods and services has been reached between participating member states. The dissolution of internal borders within the Schengen area has been heralded by some analysts as a significant internal security threat even though external borders for the area are continuously fortified. This analysis examines Islamist terrorism both in the internal, home grown and external attack dimension within this integration structure. The case of Poland is discussed with emphasis placed on the emergence of an Islamist terrorist threat within this nation. Poland’s Muslim community, migration trends and preparation for Schengen accession are scrutinized. This country has not experienced a terrorist attack in the past however this analysis shows that such a possibility is not so impossible. Interviews with a Polish border guard commander as well as a Frontex spokesperson have been completed within the framework of this analysis in order to yield a greater perspective on the issues discussed. This analysis focuses on finding the role Schengen plays or will play in the proliferation of Islamist terrorism in Poland.