Violent Extremist Organizations Research Articles

Climate change and natural resource conflict in ECOWAS and ECCAS regions: implications for state security forces

Climate change has emerged as the imminent threat to national security in many regions of the world. Nowhere is this reality more acute than in West and Central Africa where surging population growth, rising urbanisation, persistent environmental degradation, emergence of violent extremist organisations and weak state capacity have created a perfect storm of insecurity. It is against this backdrop that this article examines the nexus and dynamics of climate change and natural resource conflicts in ECOWAS and ECCAS regions, with a view to highlighting its security implications. This study notes that climate change contributes to increased conflict, but along indirect pathways. Across the two regions, climate change is experienced through rising temperatures, droughts and destructive floods, which greatly undermine people’s well-being and compound the fragility of states. This calls for the capacitation of state security forces through orientation and training that foster good understanding of the complex relationship between climate change, peace and security. The study concludes by offering strategic recommendations and policy directions to effectively tackle the climate change and natural resource conflict challenges in the contiguous regions.

Evaluating and Designing Active Citizenship Education for Youth Resilience to Preventing Violent Extremism at Public Sector General Universities of Sindh, Pakistan

Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) in Pakistan have experienced unprecedented on-campus violent extremism. Large-scale research led approach is needed to prevent homegrown violent extremism through transformative active citizenship education at HEIs in Pakistan taking into account that youth under the age of 30 constitutes 63% of the total population of Pakistan. As recognized repeatedly by the UN Security Council, violent extremism poses a significant threat to global peace and stability, with tremendous impact on social cohesion, eroding development progress and hindering future gains. This paper assesses the current state of citizenship education at Higher Education Institutes in Sindh province. The problem, however, is that many countries, including Pakistan, do not give citizenship education the importance it deserves, nor use approaches appropriate to the development of informed and participatory citizenship. (Dean, 2000; Kerr, McCarthy, and Smith 2002; Torney-Purta and Amadeo 1999). Citizenship active citizenship in youth is a social leadership program that promotes intercultural dialogue and social responsibility as key leadership competencies in the 21st century and results in community resilience. For this purpose, institutionalizing active citizenship for developing youth resilience to violent extremism warrants a massive radical reform of the education system to develop critical analysis skills among youth enabling them challenge violent extremist narratives. This is a preventive and initiative-taking strategy to develop active citizenship to be capitalized as glue for social inclusivity, integration and national cohesiveness in Pakistan. Active citizenship encompassing volunteering, democratic engagement, environmental sustainability, community development and reflective thinking is most likely to prevent vulnerability to recruitment of violent extremist organizations.

Does Dependence on External Resources Affect Community-Based organizations’ Efforts in Countering Violent Extremism? An Explorative Study of the Northeast Nigeria Experience

ABSTRACT This study examines the funding of community-based organizations (CBOs) as instruments for reducing the extreme behaviors of violent extremist organizations (VEOs). Evidence abounds that CBOs in industrialized nations like the USA and Canada have budget lines designated for government expenditures to deal with extremist behaviors in their local communities. This state-level effort to reduce violent extremism and VEOs behavior is absent throughout Africa, especially in Nigeria. This gap is the focal point of our investigation into how external resource dependence affects CBOs in northeast Nigeria. We triangulated our data sources using secondary data, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. However, this study discovered that in Nigeria, external donor agencies, NGOs, and organizations that support CBOs financially, logistically, materially, and in terms of training also tend to impact their programming selection, training content, and accountability.

Extremist organizations and online platforms: a systematic literature review

Strategies of propaganda dissemination by foreign and domestic terrorist organizations have been adapting to the constant growth of technology and social networks. This systematic literature review seeks to analyze a sample of recent studies examining the communication methods and strategies used by violent extremist organizations (VEOs) to communicate online. Articles selected met the following criteria: (1) academic/scholarly journal source; (2) published between 2010 and 2022; (3) U.S.-based if discussing domestic extremism; and (4) included a quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method study. Using a 12-part coding scheme, 105 articles were coded to address three research questions about the coverage of extremist groups, propaganda dissemination platforms, and relevant theory. The results of this review can be utilized in future research to either duplicate/expand upon findings or explore uncharted territory. Ultimately, more research developing comprehension of the inner workings of extremist organizations paves the way for a more effective counterterrorism strategy.

The disregard of mothers’ knowledge and experiences in violent extremism discourse in Kenya

This article argues for the inclusion of women’s epistemology in discourse about violent extremism and approaches to tackling it in Kenya. It focuses on mothers of male recruits to violent extremist organisations, arguing that, although mothers have critical insights to offer, their knowledge and experiences remain unacknowledged and unheard in Kenyan responses to violent extremism. Although women, including mothers, are understood to be useful contributors to the fight against violent extremism, their voices remain peripheral in masculinised discourses and actions. This article uses an African feminist theoretical approach, informed by ‘Motherism’, and gendered peace – as well as security frameworks including UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR 1325 and 2242) on women, peace and security and women’s inclusion in efforts to address violent extremism – to argue that policy development and implementation processes in Kenya have failed to capture the meaningful contributions that recruits’ mothers can make to addressing violent extremism.

Including Africa Threat Analysis in Force Design 2030

This article examines the threat analysis across Africa that should be included in Force Design 2030 for the United States Marine Corps to be deployed landward to Africa or seaward of the continent. It is a strategic guidance document examined from a threat analysis of China, Russia, Korea, Iran, and violent extremist organizations. Africa is not mentioned, and this is a notable omission given that high level interventions in the past to Africa have not been overtly successful. Given geostrategic significances and hot spots it is inevitable that the Marines will be deployed there again. This article examines lessons learned from failures in Somalia, Libya, and Lebanon and successes in Syria and Iraq as well as the experiences of others—France in Mali and Burkina Faso and United States Africa Command. Great power competition, violent extremist organizations, and the gray zone phenomena across Africa are examined as are security, intelligence, counterintelligence, and hybrid warfare.

Open-source intelligence and research on online terrorist communication: Identifying ethical and security dilemmas

This article explores key ethical and security challenges related to exploitation of open-source intelligence (OSINT) in research on online terrorist propaganda. In order to reach this objective, the most common approaches to OSINT-based projects are analysed through the lens of some of the most recognized ethical guidelines in science, which allowed several core dilemmas to be identified. First of all, this study discusses how personal data protection rules are applicable to investigations of potentially dangerous subjects, such as members and followers of Violent Extremist Organizations (VEOs). In addition, the author examines potential threats to the safety of researchers and the scientific infrastructure used in OSINT-based projects. He also discusses the risks of incidental findings and malevolent use of research results. Finally, drawing from existing legal regulations and good practices in other fields, as well as the author’s previous experience in OSINT-based analyses of online terrorist activities, this article explores basic means of tackling these dilemmas.

A systematic review on the link between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and later involvement in gang violence and extremist groups

IntroductionAdverse childhood experiences are common and have been linked to a number of physical illnesses, as well as socioeconomic problems. Moreover, it has been proven that ACEs can increase chances of people showing criminal behaviour. The question arises whether people with ACEs also have an increased chance of joining extremist groups or violent gangs.ObjectivesThe aim of this systematic review is to measure the ACE rates in violent extremists and gangs and to establish whether there is a pattern linking ACEs to violent extremist organizations and gangs.MethodsThe following databases were searched to retrieve relevant studies: the ProQuest Social Science database, Pubmed, Scopus. Eligible studies were articles of any study design that reported ACE rates in either extremists or gang members. Data was extracted and organized into a table and a quality assessment was performed using standardized tools (CASP and NHLBI). A narrative synthesis of the evidence was conducted. A meta-analysis could not be performed due to the heterogeneity of the studies.Results22 studies (eight on extremists and fourteen on gang members) were included. The studies varied in terms of research design, sample size, location and measured ACEs. Quality also varied across the studies. The prevalence rates were heterogenous and ranged from 0% to almost 100%.Physical abuse was the most addressed ACE (5 studies on extremists and 11 on gang members). Sexual abuse was the second most explored ACE (4 studies on extremists and 9 studies on gang members). Neglect and caregiver loss were also common ACEs, while the other ACEs were less represented in the two subpopulations. A comparison between the two subpopulations was difficult due to the differences in the studies.ConclusionsWhile overall ACE rates were high in the two groups and some ACEs were salient in the two subpopulations, quality of evidence varied across the studies. No solid ACE pattern across the studies could be found. Moreover, there were only two prospective studies on gang members and none on extremists, so a causal relationship between ACEs and involvement in violent gangs or extremist organizations could not be established. Future research should concentrate on studies of this design, as well as on improving the quality of the evidence.As ACEs are extremely common, researchers should also look beyond them when searching for causes of extremism or violent gang membership. Other negative events (bullying, racism) should also be explored.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Dark web jihad: exploring the militant Islamist information ecosystem on The Onion Router

ABSTRACT This paper maps communication channels exploited by the Salafi-jihadist violent extremist organisations (VEOs) and their followers between March 2020 and June 2022 on The Onion Router (TOR). It argues that the true scale of digital jihadist presence on TOR has remained insignificant for years. Militant Islamists have mostly used .onion domains as backup propaganda dissemination channels, which enable content takedown policies introduced by countering violent extremism stakeholders to be circumvented. Aside from propaganda distribution, TOR attracts Salafi-jihadist VEOs and their followers for other reasons, as it facilitates anonymous communication, crowdfunding, sharing of terrorist manuals or the organisation of terrorist attacks.

Juvenile Terrorism

Juvenile terrorism, also known as youth or adolescent terrorism. Youth populations have been found to be especiallysusceptible to recruitment by violent extremist organisations. The causes of juvenile’s terrorism are multifacetedand complex, such as “Push factors” which can be defined as negative circumstances that the child tries to escapeby joining the group, while the “pull factors” represent the positive incentives, attracting the children to join thegroups. Factors contribute to the radicalization of young individuals, including marginalization, discrimination,and additionally ideological indoctrination, and also feeling lack of disenfranchised in society. Thus to examineand to know factors of Juvenile Terrorism and what are the preventative measure can be enabled in the society.The study is based on secondary data to find out the factors of terrorism. Juvenile terrorists who were broughtto FSL Bangalore from different parts of India and examined to psychological behaviour through polygraphexamination and showed that juveniles who were in the age group of 14- 17 years were unable to take properdecisions in life and to take proper organisation in their life and showed their susceptible to social influences of theorganised group. Therefore providing guidance, counselling and improving communication pathways in familywould reduce influences to radicalization.

Afghanistan in Anarchy: America’s Withdrawal, Taliban Rule and Regional Implications for Central Asia

This article analyses the geopolitical repercussions of America’s military withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Afghan Taliban’s seizure of power in 2021. Since the Afghan Taliban continue to disregard the principal terms of the 2020 Doha Agreement brokered by the United States, Afghanistan is descending into chaos. The Afghan Taliban is unable to provide ordinary Afghans with basic living necessities, lacks international recognition and must contend against other violent extremist organizations operating within the country. Thus far, the Central Asian republics (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan) have exhibited varying responses to the Afghan Taliban’s takeover. While the ‘Stans’ are all anxious about the potential spread of radical Islam and a looming humanitarian crisis, the greater threat to Ashgabat, Tashkent and Dushanbe, as well as Bishkek and Nur-Sultan, lies with the United States pivoting away from Central Asia and the Russian Federation acquiring greater leverage over regional security issues.

Countering Violent Extremism in Southern Punjab Poverty Alleviation through Sustainable Economic Growth

During the last two decades, there has been an alarming increase in intolerance and radicalization in the country. Both State institutions and countrymen are vulnerable to its impacts. Regarding violent extremism, it is thought that South Punjab is majorly responsible for recruiting militants into violent extremist organizations. Countries like Pakistan, where the poverty rate is high and young men do not find means of livelihood and are forced to join militant groups. In Southern Punjab districts, 39% of inhabitants are below the poverty line. For addressing this, the government took initiatives for poverty alleviation, Southern Punjab Poverty Alleviation Programme (SPPAP). The project aimed to reduce poverty and assimilate poor people into the circle of collective development. The article also discusses the steps taken by numerous developed states highlights and the challenges faced by Pakistan. The study adopted a qualitative approach (i.e. using the existing body of literature-books, newspapers, and journal articles to draw conclusion). Findings reveal that in order to resolve the problem of poverty as well as extremism, the government needs to address the issues related to gender differences, unskilled labor, climate change, and infrastructure.

The Relevance of Sports to Preventing and Countering Youth Radicalisation and Violent Extremism in Nigeria’s Northeast

Abstract The Nigerian government has relied on a kinetic approach to counter the threat of Boko Haram extremism, registering very little appreciable successes. This has underscored the need for use of soft approaches such as sports as a tool for preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) in Nigeria’s northeast. This article examines two cases of community-based interventions involving sports in Borno and Adamawa states to highlight the potential relevance of sporting activities to P/CVE in Nigeria. Drawing from the initiatives, the article demonstrates that sporting activities have proven useful in promoting peacebuilding, community reconciliation, social cohesion and a sense of inclusivity and belonging among marginalised groups. It concludes that the mainstreaming of youth-focused sports-based initiatives into community development through a multi-stakeholder approach will contribute to fostering peace, social cohesion and community resilience. This, in turn, will help diminish the conditions that are conducive to youth vulnerability to recruitment and radicalisation by Violent Extremist Organisations (VEOS).

The Potential for Violent Extremist Organizations in Africa to Take Advantage of the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis in Ungoverned Spaces: The Cases of al-Shabaab and Boko Haram

ABSTRACT Under COVID-19 pressures, governments of many fragile African states not only struggle to provide services and help their societies, but they are also to deal with the constant threat violent extremist organizations (VEOs) present. The paper discusses how VEOs exploit this situation to gain local support by using their alternative service provision capabilities, together with the necessary narratives propagating their legitimacy. It offers the examples of al-Shabaab and Boko Haram. The main finding of the analysis is that VEOs managed to utilize the pandemic extremely fast, and proved to be more adaptive to the changing circumstances than their “enemies.”

Can Appeals for Peace Promote Tolerance and Mitigate Support for Extremism? Evidence from an Experiment with Adolescents in Burkina Faso

AbstractRecent efforts to improve attitudes toward outgroups and reduce support for extremists in violent settings report mixed results. Donors and aid organizations have spent millions of dollars to amplify the voices of moderate religious figures to counter violent extremism in West Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Despite this investment, we know little about whether such messaging persuades the primary recruits of violent extremist organizations: at-risk youth in fragile settings. In this paper, we consider whether pro-peace religious messaging can promote social cohesion among school-age respondents in Burkina Faso. Using a survey experiment, we find little evidence that such messages affect reported attitudes or behaviors toward religious extremism and find instead that it can have the unintended effect of increasing intolerance toward ethnic others. Our findings carry lessons about the inadvertent priming of ethnic identities that can result in a backlash effect among certain societal segments.

Synergy Between Cults and Terror Groups: A Systematic Review of Recruitment Processes

Previous research has shown that religious organizations are more similar to terror or violent extremist organizations than they are dissimilar (Banisadr, 2009; Centner, 2003; Levine, 1999). Individuals who join both usually have similar characteristics. Because contemporary researchers have focused more on terror groups than on cults, the archival knowledge from cult survivors and years of cult research has not been adequately illuminated as a guide for terror studies. The current literature review attempts to remedy this gap. Using the PRISMA methodology (Moher et al., 2009), I examine the literature of religious-cult recruitment, terror-organization recruitment, and radicalization, to illuminate the multiple confluences between them. Just as cults and terror organizations are similar in many other aspects, they also tend to follow similar recruitment patterns. Understanding cult recruitment can be useful to terror researchers.

WHAT COMES NEXT: CENTRAL ASIAN VIOLENT EXTREMIST GROUPS AND DRUG TRAFFICKING AFTER THE FALL OF KABUL

The withdrawal of the international forces from Afghanistan will likely increase the role of Central Asian violent extremist groups in the production and transit of illicit goods to and from Afghanistan. While violent extremist groups will maintain the capacity to inspire and perhaps, even carry out limited attacks in Central Asian republics in the short to medium term, their capacity will be limited. Conversely, given the Taliban's control of the majority of Afghanistan, these same groups will play an increasingly important role in the multi-billion-dollar drug trade stemming from the country. The future of Afghanistan is still far from decided but Central Asian violent extremist organizations will likely play a role in whatever is to come.

Great (Soft) Power Competition: US and Chinese Efforts in Global Health Engagement

Global health engagement, an underutilized strategy rooted in the strengths of soft power persuasion, can lead to more military-to-military cooperation training, help establish relationships that can be relied on when crises develop, stabilize fragile states, and deny violent extremist organizations space for recruiting and operations. Examining Chinese efforts worldwide to curry favor and influence and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this article shows health as a medium is a very compelling and advantageous whole-of-government approach to national security policy concerns.

Stopping Violent Extremist Organizations (VEOs) in the Sahel: Guns, Votes, or Cash?

Stopping Violent Extremist Organizations (VEOs) in the Sahel: Guns, Votes, or Cash?

The Truth Is Out There: The Prevalence of Conspiracy Theory Use by Radical Violent Extremist Organizations

ABSTRACT This project examined conspiracy theory use across three types of groups: radical violent extremists (RVE), nonviolent extremists, and moderates. Using the theory of significance quest, or the desire for one’s life to have meaning, the current project determined whether RVE groups were more likely to use conspiracy theories and promote loss of significance in violent passages than the other groups. Using text analysis software, researchers coded passages from six groups—two from each level of extremism—for conspiratorial and/or violent content. RVE groups were significantly more likely than the other groups to use conspiracy theories and promote violence. This pattern held for groups focused on radical Islamic fundamentalism as well as white supremacy groups. The pattern was more complex for loss of significance: in violent passages, neo-Nazis were significantly more likely than ISIS and Al Qaeda to promote loss of significance. Implications of the findings are discussed.