Nichols Counterterrorism

07/01/2022

Theodore Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber, killed three and wounded more than two dozen over 17 years through mailed or hand-delivered bombs. Kaczynski has become a figure that contemporary eco-fascists coalesced around. Although Kaczynski has claimed to be an eco-fascist adversary, this fascinating perspective by the ICCT examines the co-opting of Kaczynski's ideology by eco-fascists. Furthermore, it examines why Kaczynski ideologically and symbolically appeals to these extremists.

https://icct.nl/publication/ted-kaczynski-anti-technology-radicalism-and-eco-fascism/

This article explores the co-opting of Kaczynski’s ideology by self-styled eco-fascists and implications for potential eco-fascist threats.

06/30/2022

Climate change and terrorism are two significant concerns of our time. While the two concerns are often analyzed separately, there appears to be a degree of interplay. This unique publication by START examines climate change as a threat multiplier that can exacerbate existing social, political, and economic tensions, creating an enabling environment for terrorist or violent extremist organizations.

Read more:https://www.start.umd.edu/sites/default/files/publications/local_attachments/Climate_Change_Overview_FINAL.pdf

06/29/2022

Last week we discussed Africa's growing threat of terrorism, particularly regarding ISWAP. Since then, the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) has published a report focusing on developing sustainable pathways out of extremism in Nigeria.

Despite Nigeria facing years of terror and destabilization by terrorist groups like ISWAP and Boko Haram, the authors believe Nigeria lies at a critical juncture to reverse decades of violence. With that, Nigeria is presented with the opportunity to develop a homegrown model confronting terrorism through a holistic, comprehensive, and Nigerian-specific approach.

Are you interested in learning more? See the report here: https://www.cccpa-eg.org/pdf_read_download.php?type=read&newFileName=Advancing%20Holistic%20and%20Comprehensive%20Efforts%20to%20Confront%20Africas%20Growing%20Terrorism%20Challenge&file=6188_20065235.pdf&fbclid=IwAR3gNcHkIQIqZ3HNGLSHeg0nwlni_pn0jE6wjQmVDTimjKn-pO4Uv6q_cXY

06/24/2022

ISIS attacks have surged in Africa's Sahel. Additionally, as observed in the last few weeks, Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP) has released various propaganda videos to recruit sympathizers to its cause. For example, one video included a call to action for Muslims worldwide to migrate to ISIS territory in the Chad Basin.

Security researchers indicate the need to utilize soft and hard powers to combat the growing threat of ISIS in Africa. Furthermore, given the nuances in the actors involved in Africa-based ISIS branches, there must be a tailored strategy to combat this threat.

https://www.voanews.com/a/us-africa-needs-tailored-strategies-to-fight-isis-groups-/6579078.html

Top US security officials say African leadership and voices are needed to ensure security assistance is targeted to where it’s needed most

06/24/2022

The Commonwealth Secretariat’s Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) team has published a manual for managing the reintegration of violent extremists returning from conflicts. The guide intends to educate key stakeholders to recognize appropriate intervention and support plans to rehabilitate returning violent extremists into their community. Community-led rehabilitation can serve as a significant facet in preventing further extremism and terrorism-related violence in Commonwealth countries.

This guide can serve as an excellent resource to advance CVE priorities in the 54 Commonwealth nations.

See attached to view the publication:

https://production-new-commonwealth-files.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2022-06/Managing%20the%20Reintegration.pdf?VersionId=X8LVv.nxiyvR4_.yiioFB2Qm0PGmlLI7

06/22/2022

In recent years, researchers have demonstrated a growing
interest in interviewing former violent extremists to gain insight into extremism and terrorism. The authors of this article examine right-wing violent extremists' deradicalization and disengagement processes by interviewing ten former Canadian extremists.

Deradicalization and disengagement from violent extremism are complex processes that can be highly individualized. However the authors highlight several overlapping similarities in reasonings for disengagement from violent extremism.

See the article to view the authors insightful findings.

In a recent webinar Ryan Scrivens and C-REX Director Tore Bjørgo weighed in on what we can learn from interviewing former extremists. In discussing some of his recent work with formers, he emphasised a recent study co-authored by Tiana Gaudette and Vivek Venkatesh, which examined the complex pathwa...

06/18/2022

Have you ever wondered what your choices would be in a significant crisis? This interactive game on counterterrorism by the ICCT allows players to explore three different scenarios through the eyes of different characters to examine the challenges and dilemmas faced by various actors in the wake of a terrorist attack. This game is based on a real-world case study and offers additional readings to players throughout the game.

Try the game out here:
https://icct.nl/flashpoints-game/

Examining the aftermath of a key incident in the study of terrorism, this game places readers in the perspective of practitioners, policy-makers and the general public as the navigate important dilemmas in the field of counter-terrorism.

06/16/2022

It is essential to recognize that social media is more than just a venting space for extremists to share hateful ideas. Instead, it is a low-cost, high-reward resource used to recruit, inspire violence, and share information. In this article, Bridget Johnson offers 15 ways social media fuels violent extremism.

https://www.hstoday.us/featured/15-ways-social-media-fuels-violent-extremism/

Social media is used not just as a venting space for hateful opinions but as a tool for extremists to grow, inspire, information-share, and promote violence.

06/15/2022

The role that women play in violent extremism and terrorism as perpetrators, mitigators, and victims is often overlooked. Women can provide strategic and tactical advantages to violent extremist groups, some of which men cannot.

Hadashah Sa'adat Khan is an Australian woman who was sentenced last Friday after pleading guilty to providing support and resources to a terrorist organization.

When Khan was 18, she attempted to arrange for a teenager in the United States to join the Islamic State—informing him what he needed to do to enter Syria and communicating with intermediaries to assist with the process. This article demonstrates a few common factors that motivate individuals to join violent extremist and terrorist organizations. Khan, who first became involved with ISIS at 14 years old, found a sense of community and belongingness in ISIS, which for some, is all they need to become indoctrinated into a terrorist organization.

Read more here:
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7775949/woman-sentenced-for-recruiting-terrorist/

06/10/2022

As of Tuesday, June 7, 2022, the EU's Regulation on the Dissemination of Terrorist Content Online (TCO) entered into force. As a result, social media platforms and cloud services in the EU must now delete specific posts, music, live streams, photos, and videos containing terrorist content on their sites within one hour of notice.

If platforms fail to comply with the one-hour removal order, they may face a penalty of up to 4% of their annual revenue.

On Tuesday, the EU’s Regulation on the Dissemination of Terrorist Content Online (TCO) entered into force. European public authorities can now require online platforms or cloud services to remove specific posts, music, livestreams, photos and videos inciting violence and glorifying terrorist attac...

06/09/2022

Excellent research project conducted by IMPACT Research USIP examining the drivers of violent extremism in Northeast Syria (NES). While there is an overarching focus on Deir Ezzor, the broader drivers of violent extremism and how violent extremist groups exploit various vulnerabilities are also analyzed.

The authors bring up the significant role that socio-economic factors play in making individuals more susceptible to indoctrination by violent extremist groups. An important takeaway is recognizing the importance of incorporating community-based approaches into CVE efforts.

This project also offers recommendations to better combat violent extremism in NES and considerations for the greater international community to combat this threat.

See research here: https://impactres.org/aftershocks-the-legacy-of-isis-in-syria/

In this extensive research collection, IMPACT investigates the drivers of violent extremism in NES, providing recommendations to counter it.

06/07/2022

Today DHS issued a National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin regarding the complex threat environment in the United States posed by domestic and foreign adversaries. Over the next several months, DHS expects high-profile events could be exploited to justify acts of violence, adding to the dynamic threat environment.

Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas issued a National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin regarding the continued heightened threat environment across the United States.