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Counter-Terrorism and De-Radicalisation

Terrorism in London

Transnational terrorism poses a major challenge to international security.  The IISS Counter-Terrorism and De-Radicalisation Programme assesses the current threats and threat perceptions, the wide array of state and non-state actors involved in conducting or supporting terrorism, analyses how individuals get involved in extremist terrorism, and, ultimately, how members of the international community can align strategies and foster effective cooperation to help counter terrorism.

 

Within this area, the Institute is undertaking its work under three broad topics:

 

  • Radicalisation and De-Radicalisation

 

Understanding the radicalising processes is a central element in countering the root causes of terrorism. With support from a number of different sources and building on longstanding international connections, the Institute is focusing in particular on radicalisation in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and South Asia.

 

  • Countering Terrorist Activity

 

The practical aspects of countering terrorist activity, including analysis of terrorist use of the internet, and helping the business sector to think through approaches to how to counter the terrorist threat are also key to our role. Other projects in development include examinations of the uses of technology to counter terrorism, analysing the extent of the CBRN threat, and exploring the overlap between counterinsurgency thinking and equipment and counter-terrorism.

 

  • Al Qaeda’s Strategy since 9/11

 

The story of Al Qaeda’s reconstitution in the North West Frontier Provinces of Pakistan has been repeatedly told, what has been less examined is Al Qaeda’s new strategic plan. Where do Al Qaeda strategists stand with regard to the Sunni/Shia question? What is the thinking behind regional alliances, and to what degree are they controlled by a central command? Who are the driving ideologues, and to what degree have strategic thinkers like Abu Musab al Suri made an impact on strategic planning and thinking? The Institute is developing a project on Al Qaeda’s strategy to offer policymakers and academics alike some sound basic assumptions upon which to build future planning to counter the threat.

 

Recent work

 

In conjunction with Lloyd’s of London, and as part of their 360 Project, the IISS recently undertook a series of reports examining what the private sector can do to mitigate the threat of terrorism directly, as well as what role it can play in helping society more generally to counter the threat. As well as participating in workshops hosted by Lloyd’s on the subject, the IISS contributed to two reports on the topic:

 

 

 

 In February 2008, the IISS led a delegation of European counter-terrorism and technology experts on a trip to Japan to a workshop and series of meetings hosted by the Japanese Research Institute of Science and Technology for Society (RISTEX). The delegation participated in a high level day-long workshop with Japanese experts looking at some of the technological countermeasures Japan has been developing, as well as examining some of the lessons learned from Japanese experiences with regard to bio and chemical terrorist attacks. Finally, the group met experts to compare approaches to crisis management capability.

 

On July 21, 2008, with the generous support of QinetiQ, the Institute held a closed workshop exploring some of the issues around terrorist use of the internet. Drawing on academic expertise from across Europe, the session delved into the issues around online training, the evolving nature of the internet and terrorists adaption to it, and the crucial issue of online radicalisation. A short report is forthcoming summarising some of the key findings. Read the Agenda

 

A separate major research effort focusing on terrorism threats to Europe and official responses, as well as technologies useful in countering terrorism, has been undertaken by the IISS in conjunction with consortium partners Thales and Crisis Management Initiative. New European Approaches to Counter Terrorism, the final report of the ESSTRT project, was published in March 2006.

 

Forthcoming events

 

12-14 September 2008 – “Counter-radicalisation” – a breakout session at the IISS annual Global Strategic Review will bring together a panel of international experts to discuss approaches to counter-radicalisation

 

For information about the Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism Programme, contact Virginia Comolli .  

 

 

Recent publications related to the Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism Programme include:

 

Adelphi Papers

 

Survival

 

 

Strategic Comments 

 

 Strategic Survey