extremism

Extremism in the time of COVID-19: Excerpt from a Bussola Institute Study

ZFTWARNING — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 00:09:28 +0000

Extremism in the time of COVID-19: Excerpt from a Bussola Institute Study ZFTWARNING Tue, 10/06/2020 - 8:09pm

The impact of the COVID-19 upon the world in 2020 has been profound. Across the globe the day to day lives of people have changed dramatically and it is unlikely these changes will diminish anytime soon. There has been an extensive range of action taken in response to COVID such as stay at home orders, including working from home; limitations on movement within and between countries; limited access to various public and private services. These measures have had knock-on impacts such as a major downturn in economic activity, stressed supply chains, and disruptions to transport networks, amongst others. Both the threat posed by COVID-19 and the impact it has on our day to day lives appears set to continue for a considerable period of time.

Lingua Ferro Iter: Insights Gained Through Linguistic Analysis of Iron March

SWJED — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 14:01:32 +0000

Lingua Ferro Iter: Insights Gained Through Linguistic Analysis of Iron March SWJED Sun, 04/19/2020 - 10:01am

Over the past several years, far-right extremists have leveraged online platforms ranging from social media to Stormfront to congregate with one another, convert new members, and concoct violent plans. They have been so effective that the FBI recently elevated “to top level priority racially motivated violent extremism so it is on the same footing in terms of our national threat banding as ISIS and homegrown violent extremism.”

The Role of Aid and Development in the Fight Against Extremism

SWJED — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 16:31:40 +0000

The Role of Aid and Development in the Fight Against Extremism SWJED Fri, 02/07/2020 - 11:31am

As governments continue to search for ways to tackle the spread of violent extremism, increasing development efforts can help counter the belief that violent extremists present the only available option to improve one’s livelihood and bring about societal change. International assistance can address grievances that foster violent extremism, as well as help build resilience in practical and effective ways.

USC 2019 Homegrown Violent Extremism Digital Summit Report

SWJED — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 03:14:48 +0000

USC 2019 Homegrown Violent Extremism Digital Summit Report SWJED Fri, 12/06/2019 - 10:14pm

On 8 November 2019, a USC Homegrown Violent Extremism (HVE) Digital Summit was coordinated by the USC Price Safe Communities Institute (SCI). It was held in Los Angeles, California at the main university campus and streamed live to a national and international audience consisting of policymakers, first responders, academics, community organizers and advocates, and other stakeholders within the broader community of interest.

Incomparable Attractions of Immortality in World Politics: Jihadist Terror and Countervailing Policies of "Mind"

SWJED — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 17:55:44 +0000

Incomparable Attractions of Immortality in World Politics: Jihadist Terror and Countervailing Policies of "Mind" SWJED Sun, 09/22/2019 - 1:55pm

Though generally unseen, the most compelling form of power on earth is power over death. Always. Today, after an American president declared "victory" over one especially notorious organization with aggressive claims to such ultimate power, Jihadist doctrine is anything but in retreat. On the contrary, ISIS is in the verifiable midst of a substantial "comeback" or group "resurrection."

A Man, A Plan, So What? The Influence of Abu Mus’ab al-Suri, Reconsidered

SWJED — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 05:36:43 +0000

A Man, A Plan, So What? The Influence of Abu Mus’ab al-Suri, Reconsidered

Despite al-Suri’s reputation, however, questions exist about the relevance of his work, and jihadi strategic thought as a whole. Broadly, the relevance of jihadi strategic thought is unclear. Some note its potential to enable clearer understandings of jihadi behaviour.

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It Ain’t Over Til’ it’s Over - Key States Must Form and Implement a Rehabilitation Policy and Strategy for Third Party Refugees of the Islamic State - Now

SWJED — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 08:08:10 +0000

It Ain’t Over Til’ it’s Over - Key States Must Form and Implement a Rehabilitation Policy and Strategy for Third Party Refugees of the Islamic State - Now

With limited resources and policy that was constructed as it was being implemented, the US supported a coalition of Syrian forces known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The SDF and their anti-Islamic State coalition liberated Kobane and Manbij in 2016, and then moved onto to Raqqa in 2017, and finally Baghouz in 2019 beating the Islamic State into a corner of Syria. Despite this massive military accomplishment and territorial success, the heartbeat behind the ideology isn’t dead, in fact it might be growing stronger.

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Government and Academic Vulnerability to Jihad of the Pen and Tongue

SWJED — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 09:26:13 +0000

Government and Academic Vulnerability to Jihad of the Pen and Tongue

Islam is a civilization, ideology, culture, body of law, as well as a religion. An argument can be made that no other civilization is as tightly interconnected among its five domains as is Islam. Research into one domain initiates a response from the other four domains. In many cases, critical analysis into sensitive civilizational, ideological, cultural, or legal issues results in the outcries from the religious domain sending researchers and their supervisors into retreat.

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American Jihadists: Three Case Studies of American Citizens Who Chose Extremism over America

SWJED — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 08:48:21 +0000

American Jihadists: Three Case Studies of American Citizens Who Chose Extremism over America

One of the lessons of this paper is that there is no one way an individual can be radicalized or recruited. It could be propaganda playing on misguided idealism, like Dakhlalla spoke of, hours spent studying extremist ideology online like Hasan, or being separate from and not assimilating into society, like Awlaki chose.

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Brain Scans, Boycotts, and Counter-Terrorism?

SWJED — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 18:59:03 +0000

Brain Scans, Boycotts, and Counter-Terrorism?

Terrorists make the case for violent, radical change and recruit aggrieved individuals to be part of the change. But in radicalization, there is more than a political mission at play —violent extremists warped political identity includes dehumanizing others, speaking to grievance, victimhood, and local characteristics of social orientation.

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