Adil Rasheed, Countering the Radical Narrative, Knowledge World Publishers. New Delhi 2020, ISBN 978-93-89137-71-2.

Abstract

Countering the Radical Narrative is both timely, topical and invaluable book based on comprehensive research on the conceptual underpinnings of narratives, countering the radical narratives and indoctrination with respect to the extremists, terrorists groups and organisations. Radicalisation has emerged as a significant challenge across the South Asian region over the past decade and it cannot be countered by kinetic measures alone, therefore the book is an apt reading and response mechanism in proposing not only deep insights but also proposing ways, methods and techniques for reversing or rather countering radicalisation with a particular focus on the threats posed by the global jihadists groups. Though the definition is given by the author, ‘The indoctrination of extremists ideologies lead to the transformation of law-abiding citizens into violent extremists’1 is perhaps too simplistic a definition for such a complex and complicated phenomenon called radicalisation. In today's context, one can rightly argue that radicalisation is targeting our future generation i.e. the youth. The very notion that only madrasa educated youth are vulnerable to becoming radicalised and terrorist might not give a complete picture, therefore there is a need to revisit radicalisation with a new prism especially with concerning youth. The book examines the need to fight this by understanding the ideological and psychological domain of the terrorists.