The Internet: A Virtual Training Camp?
September 18, 2023
This study aims to investigate how Al Qaeda uses the Internet for military training and preparation. What kind of training material is available on jihadi webpages, who produces it, and for what purpose? The article argues that in spite of a vast amount of training-related literature online, there have been few organized efforts by Al ...
Countering Violent Extremism: Developing an evidence-base for policy and practice
September 18, 2023
This volume reports on the range of papers presented at the Annual Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Research Conference 2014 from 7-8 December 2014 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Conference was organized and hosted by Hedayah (the International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism), Curtin University, People Against Violent Extremism (PaVE), and the Australian ...
Introduction to the Special Issue: Terrorist Online Propaganda and Radicalization
September 18, 2023
The Internet is a transformative technology that terrorists are exploiting for the spread of propaganda and radicalizing new recruits. While al-Qaeda has a longer history, Islamic State is conducting a modern and sophisticated media campaign centered around online social networking. This article introduces and contextualizes the contributions to this Special Issue by examining some of ...
“Electronic Jihad”: The Internet as Al Qaeda’s Catalyst for Global Terror
September 18, 2023
The Internet has emerged as a key technology for Al Qaeda and other jihadist movements waging their so-called electronic jihad across the Middle East and globally, with digital multiplier effects. This study will examine the evolving doctrine of “electronic jihad” and its impact on the radicalization of Muslims in Western diaspora communities The study describes ...
Spreading the Message Digitally: A Look into Extremist Organizations’ Use of the Internet
September 18, 2023
Why would a terrorist choose to utilize the Internet rather than the usual methods of assassination, hostage taking, and guerrilla warfare? Conway (2006) identified five major reasons why extremist groups used the Internet: virtual community building, information provision, recruitment, financing, and risk mitigation. Terrorist and extremist organizations can use the Internet to increase their visibility ...
Assessment of the State of Knowledge: Connections Between Research on the Social Psychology of the Internet and Violent Extremism
September 18, 2023
Currently, a gap in the literature exists on the link between radicalization processes and the social psychology of the Internet. While radicalization processes are increasingly becoming subject to empirical studies, only a subset of these studies have taken into account online dynamics, and even fewer have approached this issue from a social psychological perspective. However, ...
Tweeting Propaganda, Radicalization and Recruitment: Islamic State Supporters Multi-Sided Twitter Networks
September 18, 2023
Islamic State (IS) terrorist networks in Syria and Iraq pose threats to national security. IS’ exploitation of social media and digital strategy plays a key role in its global dissemination of propaganda, radicalization, and recruitment. However, systematic research on Islamic terrorist communication via social media is limited. Our research investigates the question: How do IS ...
EU Ministers of the Interior and/or Justice, Joint Statement
September 18, 2023
A joint statement issued following a meeting of the ministers of the interior in Paris regarding the Charlie Hebdo attacks. ...
Jihad Trending: A Comprehensive Analysis of Online Extremism and How to Counter It
September 18, 2023
This report hopes to contribute to developing research in the ever-evolving arena of radicalisation with a particular focus on the role of the Internet. Our aim is to provide a resource for both policy makers and practitioners that offers an in-depth insight into the means by which extremists use online tools to propagandise and recruit. ...
Radicalisation and Media: Connectivity and Terrorism in the New Media Ecology
September 18, 2023
This book examines the circulation and effects of radical discourse by analysing the role of mass media coverage in promoting or hindering radicalisation and acts of political violence. ...