ICCT research and projects in Europe are heavily influenced by lone actor terrorism, such as the case of Anders Breivik, as well as ICCT’s role in the EU Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN). Another research focus is the foreign fighter phenomenon, different ways to respond to this and the potential risk of returnees. Lastly, the Centre focuses on Cyber Jihad and the way the internet and social media are used to spread violent extremist messages.
In what has been labelled as possibly the first trial of its kind in Western Europe, a court in The Netherlands recently convicted two men who wanted to travel to Syria to join the jihad. Research Fellow Dr. Christophe Paulussen analyses the two judgements and their wider implications.
Read moreICCT Associate Fellow, Colin Clarke, discusses the “crime-terror nexus” in Europe and examines how the problems of cooperation against terrorism across Europe and the rise of populism and nationalism may impact our ability to tackle this nexus.
Read moreThis Research Paper explores the repression of the foreign fighters phenomenon and terrorism more generally in Western Europe and argues that only a response based on human rights will be effective in countering this global problem in the long run.
Read moreIn this Perspective, Wittendorp examines issues surrounding the EU's and specifically the Commission's new ‘Security Union’: what is the broader context in which it emerged, what are the assumptions informing it, and what trouble might lie ahead?
Read moreExamining the case study of one Italian woman who travelled to Syria, Dr. Marone sheds light on some of the particularities concerning Italy’s jihadists, including the relevance of foreign recruitment networks operating within the country and the prevalence of individual pathways of radicalisation over group mechanisms.
Read moreIn this Perspective, Dr. Boutin argues that, while there can be valid reasons to apply so-called 'administrative measures' to foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) in France and elsewhere, it is essential for policy makers to give further consideration to issues of human rights in the application of such measures.
Read moreThis exploratory ICCT Research Paper examines the current extent of Italy’s foreign fighters in Syria through four case studies.
Read moreIn this Op-Ed, ICCT Research Fellow Bibi van Ginkel compares the profile of the perpetrator of the Nice Attacks to existing research on Foreign Fighters, pointing to the limits of the security-centered approach France has adopted.
Read moreThis Research Paper explores and questions some assumed causal links between terrorism on the one hand and (forced and irregular) migration on the other. It also offers recommendations that can go some way towards disentangling the issues of (refugee) migration and terrorism.
Read moreICCT's Research Fellows Liesbeth van der Heide and Daan Weggemans offer their insights on Anders Behring Breivik's quest for lifelong attention, following his court case victory against the Norwegian government.
Read moreIn this Report commissioned by the Netherlands National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV), ICCT analyses the numbers and characteristics of foreign fighters, how the EU and Member States assess the threat as well as their policy responses regarding security, preventive and legislative measures.
Read moreThis Research Project Report analyses personal variables of perpetrators of lone actor terrorism, resulting in a number of policy recommendations. It is the fifth publication in the Countering Lone-Actor Terrorism (CLAT) project.
Read moreThis Policy Brief aims to inform the current debate on integrating rehabilitation into the overall approach to foreign fighters by highlighting the challenges and opportunities within the criminal justice sector response.
Read moreIn this Research Paper, ICCT Research Fellow Dr. Alex P. Schmid analyses the widely diverging foreign fighter estimates. Having identified push and pull as well as resilience factors that facilitate or inhibit young Muslims joining ISIS, he argues that stopping them from departing to Syria is not enough; political solutions have to be sought.
Read moreIn this Policy Brief, experts of ICCT and Clingendael shed light on some of the pressing questions that currently take central stage in the debates following the Paris attacks.
In this Op-Ed, ICCT Research Fellow Dr. Alastair Reed outlines three potential responses that the so-called "Islamic State" may want to provoke with the Paris attacks.
Read moreOnce more, after the attacks on Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket in January, Paris has been shaken by a series of terrorist attacks. Contrary to the events earlier this year, the 13 November events were much more complex and coordinated, reminding us of the Mumbai 2008 attacks.
Read moreIn this Research Paper, Prof. Dr. Edwin Bakker and Jeanine de Roy van Zuijdewijn explore the threat that returning foreign fighters may pose to Western societies. By analysing four distinct areas where the impact of this phenomenon is most visible, the authors determine the extent of the threat in physical, political and social terms.
Read moreIn this article published in the framework of George Washington University's Program on Extremism, ICCT Research Fellow Dr. Tinka Veldhuis discusses rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for violent extremist offenders.
Read moreIn this Research Paper, Dr. Isabelle Duyvesteyn and Bram Peeters study seven conflicts that in the past 35 years have triggered Muslims worldwide to leave their home country and become a so-called foreign fighter.
Read moreIn this Policy Brief, Prof. Dr. Edwin Bakker and Peter Grol studied several cases of potential foreign fighters. These observations form the basis of policy suggestions that could contribute to the prevention policy within the framework of the “Comprehensive Action Programme to Combat Jihadism” of the Dutch government.
Read moreDr. Alex Schmid identifies a dozen narrative themes of ISIS and discusses them from different angles in an attempt to show vulnerabilities and point the way towards developing convincing counter-arguments.
Read moreIn this Commentary, Dr. Alex Schmid discusses the recently passed reformed law on Islam in Austria and the possibilities these reforms give for developing a so-called "European Islam".
Read moreIn this Policy Brief, Dr. Alastair Reed, Jeanine de Roy van Zuijdewijn and Prof. Dr. Edwin Bakker look at the different pathways foreign fighters could take once they have arrived in Syria or Iraq.
Read moreThe number of young Western women travelling abroad to join the "Islamic State" (IS) continues to increase. However, little is known about these women, including their motivations and roles within organisations such as IS. This Background Note provides preliminary answers and explain what is known so far.
Read moreIn this Research Paper, Jessica Dorsey and Dr. Christophe Paulussen gauge the extent to which European Union Member States share the position of the United States on armed drones and targeted killings.
Read moreIn this Commentary Dr. Christophe Paulussen gives a quick snap-shot of the foreign fighters phenomenon, which is a complex and multi-faceted issue.
Read moreResearch Fellow Dr. Bibi van Ginkel analyses the role of the internet and social media in processes of radicalisation.
Read moreIn this Op-Ed, Mark Singleton discusses the downside of increased securitisation and the need for a comprehensive approach to counter-terrorism.
Read moreA Policy Brief based on the expert meeting at the European Union to discuss the implications of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 (2014) on foreign fighters and to explore responses to the threat foreign fighters pose.
Read moreMeeting Note of an expert meeting to discuss appropriate and effective responses to the threat of Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs).
Read moreThe side event to the UN Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review includes a short introduction of the multi-stakeholder approach to prevent and mitigate extreme violence, and closes with recommendations.
Read moreIn this Background Note, Jeanine de Roy van Zuijdewijn and Prof. Dr. Edwin Bakker investigate three historical cases of foreign fighting: Afghanistan (1980s), Bosnia (1990s) and Somalia (2000s).
Read moreIn the latest policy measure against the perceived threat of foreign fighters, the UK passed a law that could result in terrorism suspects becoming stateless. Dr. Christophe Paulussen and Dr. Laura van Waas analyse the bill.
Read moreThis Commentary argues that the problem of returning foreign fighters to Europe will only increase and policymakers should look towards civil society and local communities for solutions.
Read moreThe Paper identifies and analyses governmental approaches to managing fear in relation to terrorist incidents.
Read moreThe increasing amount of foreign fighters brings the possibility that returnees have radicalised which makes them a potential threat.
Read moreA court in The Netherlands recently convicted two men who wanted to travel to Syria to join the jihad. This Commentary analyses the two judgements and their wider implications.
Read moreThe Court of Justice of the EU made its final judgement in the case of Mr. Kadi: what does this mean for the burden of proof in placing individuals on sanctions list and for the implementation of the UN sanctions list?
Read moreThis Research Paper examines to what extent the Breivik trial attained the goals of criminal justice and also aims to determine if the trial contributed to the need for closure in society.
Read moreFollowing the Boston Marathon and Woolwich attacks in 2013, some commentators proclaimed the end of the concept of radicalisation as the root cause for terrorism. Dr. Alex Schmid takes a closer look at this claim.
Read moreDuring the first US Congressional hearing on the Boston bombings and in media reports, Boston’s police commissioner, Mr. Edward F. Davis III, advocated for stronger visual monitoring of public spaces.
Read moreThis Commentary analyses the exodus of young European jihadists that are inundating Western intelligence services.
Read moreThe first judgement against a state (Macedonia) for its involvement in the CIA's extra-ordinary rendition programme was handed down earlier this week. Dr. Bibi van Ginkel analyses the implications of the ECHR judgement.
Read moreLast week's decision against the extradition of Muslim cleric Abu Qatada in the UK was a controversial one. What does the case mean for evidence obtained by torture, human rights, extradition and anticipatory justice?
Read moreWhat is the impact of the final verdict in the Anders Behring Breivik trial? How does it affect the coping mechanisms in society and are the goals of criminal justice achieved?
Read moreThis Commentary discusses the trial against four terror suspects of the so-called Düsseldorf terror cell.
Read moreThis Research Paper discusses the challenges of countering far-Right political violence.
Read moreIn this Commentary, 2012 Visiting Research Fellow Dr. Arun Kundnani analyses Breivik's ideology as contained in his 1,500-page manifesto, 2083 – A European Declaration of Independence.
Read moreThis Commentary analyses the trial against Anders Behring Breivik, the Norwegian violent extremist who carried out bomb and gun attacks that left 77 people dead last year.
Read moreIn the aftermath of the terrible attacks in Southern France, French intelligence agencies are facing calls for an investigation into alleged intelligence failures.
Read moreSince 9/11 and the London and Madrid bombings a wide variety counter-terrorism measures have been taken, including the implementation of many technical tools.
Read moreIn this Commentary, Dr. Beatrice de Graaf and Eelco Kessels MA emphasise that, although we might label Anders B. Breivik a lone wolf, he certainly does not perceive himself to be a loner operating in complete isolation.
Read moreThe trial of Anders Behring Breivik posed many questions, one of them being if the hearings should be in public or behind closed doors.
Read moreThe incorrect, one-sided and partly over-optimistic picture of "the" terrorist as a Muslim male connected to al Qaeda was smashed to pieces by the deadly attacks in Norway, Prof Dr. Edwin Bakker argues in this Commentary. Terrorism in Europe is – and always has been – a very diverse phenomenon.
Read moreThis study briefly discusses the concept of preventive counter‐terrorism, after which it will go on to consider the use of preventive counter‐terrorism measures in the EU as well as their potential discriminatory side‐effects.
Read moreThis Research Paper focuses on the special procedures of Canada, France, the Netherlands and the UK for the use of intelligence in terrorism-related court cases.
Read moreIn this Commentary, Dr. Bibi van Ginkel analyses the proceedings of the Kadi trial and the impact of the most recent ruling.
Read moreDr. Quirine Eijkman analyses the retrial and discusses the consequences of the verdict for counter-terrorism measures.
Read moreIn this Commentary, Bart Schuurman argues that legislation specifically designed to address terrorism-related violence is a powerful instrument that governments can use in the struggle against violent extremism.
Read moreIn a new Commentary, Dr. Mark Dechesne, Senior Researcher at Campus The Hague / Leiden University explores the effects of terrorist attacks. What does terrorism do to people? What happens if people are terrorised?
Read moreThis Commentary analyses the recent announcement of a convicted member of the Dutch jihadist Hofstad group, who stated that he from now on accepts the judicial system and is certain that he will receive a fair trial.
Read moreIn the first ICCT Commentary, Prof. Dr. Edwin Bakker reflects upon the conclusions by Insurance Company Aon that counter-terrorism efforts have caused a decrease in the global terrorism threat level.
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