Anti-terrorism policy as a dilemma of liberal democracy

Terrorism is harmful to democratic governments and societies. In addition to the visible and the direct effects of attacks on bystanders, aim bombers are undermining democratic values, including the weakening of confidence in state institutions and laws that regulate their functioning. As a result of the use of violence can permanently give birth to create a socio-political divisions, antagonize certain entities and groups, and thus provoke conflicts thus destroying the existing compromises, agreements or arrangements between the parties concerned. In matters of international terrorism it is not only a challenge for the rule of law, but because it also applies to relations between states, poses a serious threat to security and stability.

Intelligence Creation: Information Activities in the Field of Security Policy

The enormous changes and constant developments in the applications of technology and communication have changed the way the world is perceived. The information revolution has impacted intelligence gathering, processing, analysis and dissemination, as well as how decision-makers can access reliable information in a timely manner, and the sources they are likely to rely on when concrete information is needed to make decisions. This article attempts to describe, analyze and explain the nature of the ongoing information revolution, its main impact on intelligence and security policy, and the importance of intelligence analysis in the context of peacekeeping operations.

„J’ai des yeux de Cracovien”. Jean Van Ghele (1912–1985), French consul in Cracow in the sight of Polish Security Service

The article is a biographical sketch of the biograpy of French consul in Krakow, who served as in the years 1956–1961. The background is the life of Krakow at the turn of the 1950s and 1960s, as well as the extended and complicated operation of the communist secret police. The text presents broad aspects of counterintelligence activities in the system of an authoritarian state. The context is also the warming in Polish-French relations, which was significant after the turn of October 1956, bringing cultural, scientific and regulatory effects.

From 1975, as part of the operation code-named “Zapora” carried out by the Security Service, counterintelligence operations are documented as having been carried out with the aim of protecting facilities and units of the Polish and Soviet Army in Piła Voivodeship. Department II of KWMO/WUSW in Piła, in cooperation with WSW and MO, kept diplomats and foreigners from Western countries under surveillance. This control extended to the monitoring of all persons, regardless of nationality, in the areas adjacent to the facilities and those employed in enterprises providing services to the Polish Army. These persons of interest were identified as part of operational checks and registration questionnaires, using numerous secret collaborators and personal contacts. As a part of “Zapora”, major military exercises such as “OPAL 87” and “Przyjaźń 87” were also safeguarded. Operation „Zapora” was completed in January 1990.