Radicalization

New DHS-Sponsored Study Reveals ISIS Recruitment in Minnesota

April 27, 2015

Given the growing threat of ISIS recruitment, the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate sponsored a field study to reveal the terrorist group’s actions in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn. Lead investigators Dr. Erroll Southers and Justin Hienz present the results from their fieldwork in a new study, “Foreign Fighters: Terrorist Recruitment and Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Programs in Minneapolis-St. Paul.”

Understanding ISIS ‘Peer-to-Peer’ Terrorist Recruiting in the Somali Diaspora

Justin Hienz |

April 21, 2015

U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger recently announced the arrest of six individuals who conspired to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State. There is a persistent recruitment threat in the Somali community in Minnesota. Why is ISIS so effective in recruiting there?

‘Jihadi John’ Unmasked – Now What?

Justin Hienz |

February 26, 2015

He is the masked face of ISIS, his black-clad figure a harbinger of gruesome murder in a series of videos showing the execution of ISIS hostages. He goes by the alliterative, absurd moniker Jihadi John, but today, the world knows his real name: Mohammed Emwazi.

Don’t Degrade ISIS, Destroy It

Security Debrief |

February 23, 2015

By Dr. Doron Pely
When President Obama made his speech about U.S. strategy to counter ISIS, he repeated one phrase that caught the attention of many: “Our objective is clear: We will degrade, and ultimately destroy, ISIL.” This is a bad strategy, primarily because it gives ISIS time to continue operating.

Countering the ISIS Narrative with Returning Foreign Fighters

Security Debrief |

January 30, 2015

By Dr. Doron Pely
Foreign fighters leaving their home countries to join ISIS are foremost on the minds of those in charge of homeland security. How to deal with these departing and returning jihadists has been a source of intensive debate. Now, with growing numbers of ISIS deserters, there is an opportunity to “inoculate” Muslim communities against ISIS propaganda and indoctrination.

Countering the ISIS Narrative…With Cartoons

Justin Hienz |

January 20, 2015

The fight against the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) is, in part, a war of ideas. ISIS pushes a radical ideology that claims to justify murder, rape and other atrocities. In the United States, we must counter this narrative. As a part of that effort, fellow Security Debrief contributor Erroll Southers and I have been working on a Countering Violent Extremism project in Minneapolis.

Islam and the West – Where Do We Go From Here?

Security Debrief |

January 16, 2015

By Dr. Doron Pely
In the wake of the recent wave of Islamists-led terror attacks around the world, there is a palpable sense of despair amongst Western experts and citizens who are all asking: “Where do we go from here in our relations with Islam?” It seems that we are running out of options, and the only way forward is outright conflict, but before we cross that Sambation, here is an alternative proposal that may show some promise.

Countering al-Shabaab Recruitment in Minnesota

Security Debrief |

September 29, 2014

Al-Shabaab remains a major recruiter of U.S. citizens, particularly in Minnesota. One man, Mohamed Ahmed, is doing his part to counter the terrorist messages, offering an alternative view of what really happens when someone joins a jihadist group.

One Year After Westgate Terrorist Attack

Security Debrief |

September 17, 2014

September 21 marks the one-year anniversary of the Nairobi Westgate Attack in Kenya. The brutal terrorist and hostage attempt carried out by al-Shabaab terrorists killed 65 people and included a standoff that lasted four days. Kenya has turned a corner in the global battle against terrorism, and there are lessons here for the United States.

The ISIS Fight – Do We Have Your Attention Yet?

Rich Cooper |

August 25, 2014

There are no words to describe the horror of the video showing the execution of American journalist James Foley at the hands of ISIS. Today, radicalization is spreading, and religious, civic, and cultural leaders on every continent have a responsibility to step forward to address it. Sadly, those voices don’t seem to be as loud or as savvy as the video we all saw last week.

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