CIDOB REPORT #02, published in February 2018, revisits the Barcelona Attacks of August 17 and 18, 2017 (17A), addressing the questions of why these attacks occurred, who is responsible, and how such incidents can be prevented. The report employs multiple perspectives:
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Moussa Bourekba analyzes the different readings of the radicalization process, questioning the adequacy of current research methods and suggesting the need for multidisciplinary approaches to combat terrorism effectively.
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Blanca Garcés-Mascareñas examines the reactions to the attacks from politicians and civil society, focusing on prevailing narratives about the attackers and victims, and the role of Islam in Catalonia.
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Jordi Moreras identifies the singularities of the 17A attacks, casting doubt on some post-event debates, particularly regarding the role and representation of Islam in Catalonia and the issue of exclusion.
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Fatima Lahnait compares the strategies for preventing violent extremism in Spain and Europe, highlighting the shift from a security-focused approach to a more comprehensive one, and the ongoing need for adaptation to local contexts.
The report underscores the continued relevance of the attacks despite societal attempts to move past them, emphasizing the unresolved debate on why the perpetrators from Ripoll chose to commit such acts. It calls for a more holistic, multidimensional approach to understanding radicalization, recognizing the complexity and diversity of processes involved. The authors argue that this approach is overdue in light of the persistent terrorist threat.
