{"title":"The ISIS Crisis","authors":"Richard A. English","doi":"10.15664/JTR.1329","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15664/JTR.1329","url":null,"abstract":"This essay provides reviews of the following books: \u0000 \u0000Daniel Byman, Al-Qaida, The Islamic State, and the Global Jihadist Movement: What Everyone Needs to Know (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015) \u0000 \u0000Patrick Cockburn, The Jihadis return: ISIS and the New Sunni Uprising (New York: Or Books, 2014) \u0000 \u0000Jessica Stern and J. M. Berger, ISIS: The State of Terror (London: William Collins, 2015) \u0000 \u0000Fawaz A. Gerges, ISIS: A History (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2016) \u0000 \u0000William McCants, The ISIS Apocalypse: The History, Strategy, and Doomsday Vision of the Islamic State (New York: St Martin’s Press, 2015) \u0000 \u0000Michael Weiss and Hassan Hassan, ISIS: Inside the Army of Terror (New York: Regan Arts, 2015)","PeriodicalId":89695,"journal":{"name":"Journal of terrorism research","volume":"8 1","pages":"90"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49350982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Following a Military Defeat of ISIS in Syria and Iraq: What Happens Next after the Military Victory and the Return of Foreign Fighters?","authors":"A. Speckhard, Ardian Shajkovci, A. Yayla","doi":"10.15664/JTR.1341","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15664/JTR.1341","url":null,"abstract":"In the struggle against ISIS and the so-called Islamic State, the United States and its allies continue to achieve significant military victories, as evidenced by the ongoing efforts to liberate the city of Mosul in Iraq. What happens next with the returning or migrating foreign fighters and with whatever remains of ISIS’ influence in the digital battle space where up to this point it has been winning? Evidence of the group inspiring, remotely recruiting and directing attacks in Europe and elsewhere, and its continued ability to attract foreign fighters to the actual battlefield makes it clear that ISIS may be losing the ground war in Syria and Iraq but winning in the other areas, especially in the digital battle space. The authors highlight the importance of creating compelling counter-narratives and products that compete with the prolific ISIS online campaigns.","PeriodicalId":89695,"journal":{"name":"Journal of terrorism research","volume":"8 1","pages":"81-89"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45502706","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"How identity crisis, relative deprivation, personal characteristics, and empathy contribute to the engagement of Western individuals in Islamist terrorist behavior","authors":"Khouwaga Yusoufzai, F. Emmerling","doi":"10.15664/JTR.1292","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15664/JTR.1292","url":null,"abstract":"The growing sense of insecurity in the Western world due to home-grown Islamist terrorism prompts further research on the topic. Based on previous literature, the current paper attempts to determine whether factors can be identified which contribute to Western individuals joining Islamic extremist organizations and engaging in terrorist behavior in the West. Four factors are discussed: While extensive scientific literature supports the view that identity crises and relative deprivation play a crucial role in turning Western individuals to terrorism, evidence on the role of personal characteristics and empathy, on the other hand, is still too scarce to allow any clear scientific judgment.","PeriodicalId":89695,"journal":{"name":"Journal of terrorism research","volume":"8 1","pages":"68-80"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42937828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"‘Close enough’ – The link between the Syrian Electronic Army and the Bashar al-Assad regime, and implications for the future development of nation-state cyber counter-insurgency strategies","authors":"S. Bertram","doi":"10.15664/JTR.1294","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15664/JTR.1294","url":null,"abstract":"The case of the Syrian Electronic Army (SEA) offers the chance to study a counter response to the cyber activism of the Arab Spring. Research methods featured an adapted method of snowball sampling. The main technical finding of the study placed the SEA within two degrees of separation from a senior politician within the Assad regime. The core conclusion of the paper is the definition of a ‘close enough’ relationship between the SEA and the Assad regime, defined as distant enough to preserve plausible deniability but close enough to ensure the strategic alignment of the SEA to state policy goals.","PeriodicalId":89695,"journal":{"name":"Journal of terrorism research","volume":"8 1","pages":"2-17"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67200762","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"An analysis of Patterns of Change Arising from the Syrian Conflict: Islamic Terrorism, Refugee Flows and Political Destabilization in Europe","authors":"E. Brady","doi":"10.15664/JTR.1298","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15664/JTR.1298","url":null,"abstract":"This paper set out to explore whether the Syrian Conflict has impacted security issues outside its borders, in particular in Europe. With a wide range of challenges related to the conflict, now in its sixth year, issues such as the rise of ISIS and the refugee crisis in Europe have been linked to political destabilization on the continent and within the EU. By looking at data presented by the Global Terrorism Database and the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR), this study set out to observe any patterns in Islamic terrorist activity and numbers of refugees in Europe during the period 2006 to 2015. Academic reports based on empirical studies as well as media reports were also analyzed to further the research and allow for in-depth assessment of the issue as a whole.","PeriodicalId":89695,"journal":{"name":"Journal of terrorism research","volume":"8 1","pages":"53-67"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44070668","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Does ISIS satisfy the criteria of an apocalyptic Islamic cult? An evidence-based historical qualitative meta-analysis.","authors":"B. Barron, D. Maye","doi":"10.15664/JTR.1264","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15664/JTR.1264","url":null,"abstract":"The U.S. has been battling ISIS and its forerunners for over two decades; however, ISIS continues to endure and expand. While described as a death cult by some political leaders and other key stakeholders, this assertion received little consideration in the scholarly literature. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether ISIS satisfied the criteria of an apocalyptic Islamic cult through the application of a historical qualitative research design and meta-analysis. Based on the results, the null hypothesis that ISIS does not satisfy the criteria of an apocalyptic Islamic cult was rejected, and the hypothesis that ISIS satisfies the criteria of an apocalyptic Islamic cult was accepted. This outcome has significant implications regarding U.S. policy and how practitioners develop effective strategies to neutralize the threat.","PeriodicalId":89695,"journal":{"name":"Journal of terrorism research","volume":"8 1","pages":"18"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41511424","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alejandro J. Beutel, S. Weine, A. Saeed, A. Mihajlovic, A. Stone, J. Beahrs, S. Shanfield
{"title":"Guiding Principles for Countering and Displacing Extremist Narratives","authors":"Alejandro J. Beutel, S. Weine, A. Saeed, A. Mihajlovic, A. Stone, J. Beahrs, S. Shanfield","doi":"10.15664/JTR.1220","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15664/JTR.1220","url":null,"abstract":"U.S. policymakers consider countering and displacing extremist narratives to be a core strategy of countering violent extremism. The rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which uses highly sophisticated messaging to reach U.S. young persons, has further emphasized the need for this strategy. However, to date there has been little discussion of principles to guide the practice of countering and displacing extremist narratives. Drawing upon a growing body of theory, empirical evidence, and practical experience from across several disciplines, this article suggests principles to guide both developing the content of new narratives and delivering new narratives.","PeriodicalId":89695,"journal":{"name":"Journal of terrorism research","volume":"7 1","pages":"35"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67201095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Terrorism or clamor for resource control: An analysis of Nigeria’s Niger Delta militants","authors":"J. Tobor","doi":"10.15664/JTR.1261","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15664/JTR.1261","url":null,"abstract":"The purpose of this study is to find out whether the activities of the Niger Delta militants can be classified as acts of terrorism or a clamor for resource control. The engagement tactics of kidnappings, attacks on oil infrastructural facilities and the placement of bombs and other explosive devices in public places suggest to some observers that the Niger Delta militants should be considered terrorists. Using content analysis of relevant secondary data, with insights from the experiences and perceptions of the study participants, this paper examines the engagement tactics of the Niger Delta militants. The findings may be useful in contributing to the development of policies that address the Niger Delta crisis. Similarly, key stakeholders equipped with such vital information derived from the result findings may understand, appreciate, identify, and develop appropriate strategies and guidelines that can be used to address the reasons behind the Niger Delta conflicts. All of these may lead to improvement in the lives of the residents that inhabit the land. Findings of this study may also enable the multinational oil corporations to re-evaluate their strategies and mode of operations and come up with better ways to operate in a peaceful environment, and thus contribute steadfastly and uninterruptedly to the Nigerian economy, and all these may invariably lead to positive social change. Much of the empirical evidence to be presented derives from my own research.","PeriodicalId":89695,"journal":{"name":"Journal of terrorism research","volume":"7 1","pages":"23"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67200753","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Examination of Blog Discussion about the Beheading of Two American Journalists by ISIS","authors":"C. S. Park, David Magolis","doi":"10.15664/JTR.1253","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15664/JTR.1253","url":null,"abstract":"This study utilizes the beheading of two American journalists, James Foley and Steven Sotloff by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in 2014. The content analyses of 980 comments from three political blogs (Townhall - conservative, Daily Kos - liberal, and The Moderate Voice - moderate) reveal that the majority of blog users exhibited their subjective thoughts and opinions rather than engaging in deliberative communication based on deep reasoning. Blog users also did not show a reciprocal attitude, mostly ignoring different voices. Most comments were made based on one-sided perspectives.","PeriodicalId":89695,"journal":{"name":"Journal of terrorism research","volume":"7 1","pages":"9"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67200698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The representation of youth in the Islamic State's propaganda magazine Dabiq","authors":"Agathe Christien","doi":"10.15664/JTR.1201","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15664/JTR.1201","url":null,"abstract":"The propaganda magazine of the terrorist group Islamic State (IS), entitled Dabiq , displays IS' utilization of different representations of youth to convert a new generation of jihadi fighters . This study analyzes why IS uses youth in its propaganda and what functions of discourse these representations serve. This article is a qualitative content analysis of the Dabiq magazines with direct reference to Henry Giroux's theory of the myth of childhood innocence, which portrays youths as passive victims. The evolution of representations of youth in Dabiq aligns with this myth, as the publications tend to give active and violent roles to youth in order to foster new social paradigms.","PeriodicalId":89695,"journal":{"name":"Journal of terrorism research","volume":"7 1","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67200535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}