Until 2016, Twitter was the online platform of choice for English-language Islamic State (IS) sympathizers. As a result of Twitter’s counter-extremism policies – including content removal – there has been a decline in activity by IS supporters. This outcome may suggest the company’s efforts have been effective, but a deeper…

Report by Professor Peter R. Neumann, OSCE Chairperson in Office’s Special Representative on Countering Radicalisation and Violent Extremism.

Tajikistan is trying to persecute what was once Central Asia’s only legal Islamist party out of existence. But is this really about countering terrorism, or just cracking down on dissent in any form?

There is practically no country in the OSCE that has not been affected by violent extremism. In 2016, terrorist attacks in OSCE participating States caused more than one thousand deaths. They destroyed billions of Euros worth of property and infrastructure, undermined people’s confidence in government and institutions, and created fear…

NATO Stratcom Center of Excellence report on counter-terrorism and social media.

There is growing recognition that effectively preventing violent extremism (PVE) and fostering sustainable peace and pluralism requires a “whole of society” effort that extends beyond governments alone to include civil society actors, particularly those with longstanding experience in leading such efforts in their communities. It draws on the strengths of…

This report explores the drivers of radicalization and recruitment across African countries.

Using a dataset of more than 80 accounts during 2015, this article explores the gendered ways in which self-proclaiming Twitter Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) supporters construct community around “suspension.” The article argues that suspension is an integral event in the online lives of ISIS supporters, which is…

This report collates the existing literature on drivers of conflict in Tunisia.

A vibrant and sustainable democracy is underpinned by the democratic ideals of equality and human rights. While democracies should ideally promote and protect the equal rights of all women and men, global developments and security challenges such as violent extremism and terrorism limit the full enjoyment of such rights. Yet…

If military strategists are always fighting the last war, the same is true of those who work on countering radicalization. In 2001, Western intelligence services, mostly focused on localized terrorist groups like the Irish Republican Army and ETA, were stunned by al Qaeda. Come 2011, they were then blindsided by…

The National Strategy against Terrorism and Action Plan 2018-2022 is the third strategic document developed by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo with the aim to prevent and fight terrorist acts. This strategic document aims at countering and combating extremist or radical ideologies of whatever nature, which may lead…