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Sam Mullins

Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, College, Faculty Member

University of Wollongong, Faculty of Law, Principal Honorary Fellow

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Dr. Sam Mullins has been a professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies since August 2019. Prior to joining DKI APCSS, Dr. Mullins spent seven years as a professor of counter-terrorism at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, during which time he contributed to the professional education of more than a thousand counter-terrorism (CT) and security practitioners from around the globe, and participated in CT outreach activities in some two dozen countries. In recognition of his efforts he was awarded the Superior Civilian Service Award in March 2019.

Dr. Mullins has spoken at numerous international conferences around the globe, and has presented his work for a variety of government agencies including the FBI, the NYPD, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Australian Federal Police, the International Special Training Centre in Germany, the NATO Centre of Excellence - Defence Against Terrorism institution in Turkey, the Chinese Ministry of Public Security and the Indonesian National Armed Forces, among others.

Previously, Dr. Mullins gained an MA (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Glasgow in Scotland before completing an MSc in Investigative Psychology, with distinction, at the University of Liverpool, UK. He completed his PhD thesis on Islamist terrorism in the US and UK at the Centre for Transnational Crime Prevention (CTCP) at the University of Wollongong, Australia, after which he worked as a research fellow at the CTCP, with a focus on terrorism and political violence.

In addition to his current position, Dr. Mullins is an Honorary Principal Fellow at the University of Wollongong and serves on the editorial board of two highly regarded journals specializing in the study of terrorism and counter-terrorism: Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression and Perspectives on Terrorism.

Dr. Mullins has published numerous papers and is the author of two books: 'Home-Grown' Jihad: Understanding Islamist Terrorism in the US and UK, and Jihadist Infiltration of Migrant Flows to Europe: Perpetrators, Modus Operandi and Policy Implications.

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Universitas Teuku Umar

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Université Saint-Louis - Bruxelles

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Domenico A M Marino

Ministero della cultura

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ESEL

Università di Sassari

University Of Portharcourt, Nigeria

Universidad de Buenos Aires

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Dartmouth College

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Papers by Sam Mullins

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF TERRORISM AND INSURGENCY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Hindsight, Insight, Foresight: Thinking About Security in the Indo-Pacific, 2020

APCSS 25th anniversary publication: Mullins, S. (2020) “25 Years of Terrorism and Insurgency in ... more

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON TERRORISM AND COUNTER- TERRORISM: PRACTITIONER INSIGHTS

Security Nexus, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the world, with far-reaching social, political... more The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the world, with far-reaching social, political and economic consequences. Terrorists and security services alike have been forced to adapt. However, we still have relatively limited understanding of the changes that have occurred and what they mean for counter-terrorism (CT). This report presents the findings of an exploratory survey, completed by 100 security practitioners, in order to shed light on how terrorism and CT have been affected by the pandemic. Results suggest that, for the most part, terrorists appear to have gained relatively little in the short term. At the same time, although many practitioners have experienced additional challenges in CT, most of these problems have not been insurmountable. Looking to the future, there is significant concern that terrorism will increase in response to the social and economic fallout from the pandemic. As a result, most survey respondents agreed that countries will need to cooperate more closely with each other on CT, and that greater US support for CT in the Indo-Pacific will be needed.

Terrorism and COVID-19: Are We Over-Estimating the Threat

Small Wars Journal, 2020

Violent extremists and terrorists have undoubtedly seized upon the outbreak of the coronavirus pa... more Violent extremists and terrorists have undoubtedly seized upon the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to peddle their propaganda and try and exploit the situation to their advantage. Much of the recent commentary on this issue seems to agree that the pandemic is benefitting terrorists in a number of ways, to include online recruitment, opportunities to gain public support through the provision of healthcare, and improved odds of success in planning and conducting attacks, thanks to the added strain that has been placed on security forces. But are we perhaps over-estimating the threat? This article re-examines each of these issues in turn, highlighting the various limitations, setbacks and challenges that terrorists are faced with. While there is indeed much to be concerned about, there is also reason to believe that terrorists’ gains may be far more modest than many people seem to think, particularly in the short-term.

RIGHT-WING TERRORISM: AN INTERVIEW WITH RETIRED FBI SPECIAL AGENT TOM O'CONNOR

Security Nexus, 2020

TERRORISM IN THE INDO-PACIFIC: THE YEAR GONE BY AND THE ROAD AHEAD

Security Nexus, 2020

The Indo-Pacific region, which encompasses most of Asia, as well as North America, Australasia, O... more The Indo-Pacific region, which encompasses most of Asia, as well as North America, Australasia, Oceania and parts of South America, consistently experiences some of the highest rates of terrorism in the world, and 2019 was no exception. This article, though by no means an exhaustive account, provides a roughly chronological overview of significant terrorist activities in the Indo-Pacific during the past year, with a particular focus on South and Southeast Asia. This is followed by several important advances in counter-terrorism (CT). The article concludes by considering what these, and other developments, may portend for the future.

Interview with Max Hill, QC, Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation for the United Kingdom

Perspectives on Terrorism, 2018

The following text is a transcript of an interview between the author and the Independent Reviewe... more The following text is a transcript of an interview between the author and the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation (IRTL) for the United Kingdom, Max Hill, QC, which took place on March 9, 2018 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Topics discussed included the role of the IRTL, prosecution of terrorism in the UK, returning foreign fighters, terrorism prevention and investigation measures (TPIMs), deportation of terrorism suspects, the involvement of children in terrorism, hate-preachers, and the British government's efforts to counter non-violent extremism. The transcript has been edited for brevity.

http://www.terrorismanalysts.com/pt/index.php/pot/article/view/694/1366

The Road to Orlando: Jihadist-Inspired Violence in the West: 2012-2016

CTC Sentinel, 2016

This analysis of 47 cases of jihadist-inspired violence carried out in Western countries between ... more This analysis of 47 cases of jihadist-inspired violence carried out in Western countries between January 1, 2012, and the June 12, 2016, Orlando attack sheds light on the evolving terrorist threat. The data shows that the Syrian civil war and the rise of the Islamic State have coincided with an increase in the number of attacks, with more than half of all violent incidents taking place in France and the United States. Notwithstanding the recent attacks in Paris and Brussels, most attacks were carried out by individuals with no direct ties to overseas terrorist groups and were low-tech and relatively ineffectual. Half of all attackers had a criminal past, and perhaps as many were unemployed. A majority of attacks targeted civilians, although violence was also frequently directed against members of law enforcement or the military. Knife attacks were the most common while shootings were the deadliest.

https://ctc.usma.edu/the-road-to-orlando-jihadist-inspired-violence-in-the-west-2012-2016/

Counter-terrorism in Australia: practitioner perspectives

Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism, 2016

This article presents the views of 11 senior police officers (both state and federal) who have be... more This article presents the views of 11 senior police officers (both state
and federal) who have been directly involved in counter-terrorism
(CT) in Australia over the past 15 years. Utilising direct quotes
from interviews conducted by the author between April 2012 and
November 2015, it offers unique insight into their views on a
variety of issues including: first experiences in CT, the unique
nature of terrorism investigations, interagency cooperation, Joint
Counter-Terrorism Teams, and challenges relating to lack of
technical interoperability, the complexities of CT legislation and
cultural barriers between agencies and how these have been
overcome.

Western Jihadist Threats to the Military

Small Wars Journal, 2016

This paper explores the threat posed by Salafi-jihadist militants in the West to military targets... more

Re-Examining the Involvement of Converts in Islamist Terrorism: A Comparison of the U.S. and U.K

Perspectives on Terrorism, 2015

This article explores the role of converts in the 'Global Salafi Jihad' based on a sample of 75 A... more This article explores the role of converts in the 'Global Salafi Jihad' based on a sample of 75 American and 47 British converts who became involved in Islamist terrorism between 1980 and September 11 th , 2013. Converts are compared to non-coverts on a variety of demographic, operational and investigative variables, and each sample is further divided into those who mobilized before and after 9/11 in order to allow assessment of changes over time. Contrary to previous research, results show that American converts in particular constitute a "jihadi underclass" that is markedly disadvantaged compared to the rest of the U.S. sample. They also present a generally less capable terrorism threat and are especially likely to be caught in sting operations. British converts, whilst also clearly disadvantaged and less capable, are much less distinct compared to non-converts in the U.K. Practical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.

http://www.terrorismanalysts.com/pt/index.php/pot/article/view/474/933

"Global Jihad": The Canadian Experience

Terrorism and Political Violence, 2013

This study aims to address the relative lack of research examining the Canadian experience of ter... more This study aims to address the relative lack of research examining the Canadian experience of terrorism relating to the ‘‘Global Salafi Jihad.’’ The fundamental research question was ‘‘What have people living in, or from, Canada been doing to support or advance violent jihad either at home or abroad?’’ Data were collected on individuals active from the 1980s through to the end of 2011 in an effort to be as exhaustive as possible. They were analysed according to three broad categories: background variables; operational variables; and investigations and outcomes. The sample was further divided into two and results compared according to whether individuals began offending before or after September 11, 2001, in order to assess change over time. The article begins with a brief history of terrorism in Canada, followed by the methodology, analysis of variables, and summary and conclusions. Cases included and excluded from the analysis are listed in Appendices A and B respectively.

Social network analysis and counter- terrorism: measures of centrality as an investigative tool

Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, 2012

This paper addresses the question of whether social network analysis (SNA) measures of centrality... more This paper addresses the question of whether social network analysis (SNA) measures of centrality might be useful as an investigative tool. It is often asserted that SNA can help to identify key players in a network who should be targeted in order to disrupt organizational activities. This is explored here by first considering various practical obstacles, followed by an empirical test of how centrality measures perform against known behavior of an actual terrorist network. The analysis suggests that measures of centrality were at least superficially able to identify individuals in key network positions (facilitators and group leaders) and also tended to highlight particular cells at times of operational importance. However, SNA measures otherwise failed to identify hierarchies, and results were heavily dictated by group size and intra-connectivity, rather than genuinely reacting to operational behavior. Along with other shortcomings, these limitations mean that smaller or less well-connected groups and individuals are more likely to be overlooked, despite the fact that they can make significant contributions to both network functioning and disruption.

Islamist Terrorism and Australia: An Empirical Examination of the "Home-Grown" Threat

Terrorism and Political Violence, 2011

Australian interests have been considered viable targets for Islamist terrorists since at least 2... more Australian interests have been considered viable targets for Islamist terrorists since at least 2001, and Australians have suffered from attacks in Bali in 2002 and 2005, and Jakarta in 2004 and 2009. Moreover, Australian citizens have been involved in militant Islamist networks since the late 1980s, and similar to other Western countries in recent years there have been examples of ‘‘home-grown’’ plots to carry out domestic terrorist attacks. This article seeks to clarify the nature of the contemporary security threat within Australia by analysing the involvement of Australian citizens and residents in Islamist terrorism, both at home and abroad. The results build upon previous research findings revealing that while the profile of Australian jihadis is unique in terms of its exact manifestation, there is overall conformity with generally observed trends in Islamist terrorism in other Western countries.

Rehabilitation of Islamist terrorists: Lessons from criminology

Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict, 2010

There is continued investment and attention being paid to programs of disengagement and deradical... more There is continued investment and attention being paid to programs of
disengagement and deradicalization (D&D) for Islamist terrorists. Whilst there is some evidence of positive effects of different programs, it is widely acknowledged that rehabilitative efforts with terrorists are in their infancy and that there is a great deal of potential for learning, development and refinement. The present article examines rehabilitation programs for Islamist militants in light of the literature on rehabilitative interventions for ‘‘ordinary’’ criminal offenders, which have been in development now for more than 50 years. Principles of best practice as well as challenges in the field of criminal corrections are outlined, and the extent to which these may be applicable in the context of dealing with terrorists is discussed. Although the content of criminal and terrorist rehabilitation programs will always differ, criminology can help to clarify issues, improve practice, and develop realistic expectations for rehabilitation of Islamist terrorists.

Iraq v Lack of Integration Understanding motivations

Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, 2010

Despite being nearly 10 years into the ‘Global War on Terror’ there is still confusion as to what... more Despite being nearly 10 years into the ‘Global War on Terror’ there is still
confusion as to what motivates the perpetrators of terrorist attacks, particularly those in the West. This article gives an overview of ‘home-grown’ jihadi activities in the West and examines the range of driving forces cited by and attributed to them. It aims to clarify the relative contributions of local inequalities, global political events such as the occupation of Iraq, religious beliefs and social processes as motivating factors. Implications for theories of terrorism and for counter-terrorism strategies are discussed.

Parallels Between Crime and Terrorism: A Social Psychological Perspective

Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, 2009

Although the psychology of terrorism is far from a neglected subject, there is still much to lear... more Although the psychology of terrorism is far from a neglected subject, there is still much to learn. “Ordinary” criminals remain enigmatic but have proved a far more accessible population for research purposes. This article bridges the gap between the study of crime and contemporary terrorism by examining the parallels between the two. Significant similarities are shown to exist between terrorists and organized as well as low-level criminals, including activities performed and systems of social influence and organization. Processes of social identification are universally important to varying degrees; however, specific differences in identity may represent key distinguishing features between groups. Although further comparisons utilizing more restrictive samples are necessary, attention is drawn to the sometimes underutilized potential that criminological research holds to act as a point of reference for the investigation of terrorism.

"Global Jihad": The Canadian Experience

Returnee Foreign Fighters from Syria and Iraq: The Kosovan Experience

by Kujtim Bytyqi and Sam Mullins

CTC Sentinel, 2019

Drawing upon the first author’s position within the Kosovo Security Council Secretariat and utili... more Drawing upon the first author’s position within the Kosovo Security Council Secretariat and utilizing internal government reports and statistics, this article provides an overview of the Kosovan experience dealing with returnee ‘foreign fighters’ from Syria and Iraq. So far, at least five returnees have been involved in planning domestic attacks, thus reaffirming academic analyses and recent reports suggesting that it is a minority of returnees who present an immediate terrorist threat. Nevertheless, a small number of returnees remain highly radicalized and are both willing and determined to attack at home. The Kosovan approach to managing this risk is discussed, to include challenges and lessons learned.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF TERRORISM AND INSURGENCY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Hindsight, Insight, Foresight: Thinking About Security in the Indo-Pacific, 2020

APCSS 25th anniversary publication: Mullins, S. (2020) “25 Years of Terrorism and Insurgency in ... more

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON TERRORISM AND COUNTER- TERRORISM: PRACTITIONER INSIGHTS

Security Nexus, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the world, with far-reaching social, political... more The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the world, with far-reaching social, political and economic consequences. Terrorists and security services alike have been forced to adapt. However, we still have relatively limited understanding of the changes that have occurred and what they mean for counter-terrorism (CT). This report presents the findings of an exploratory survey, completed by 100 security practitioners, in order to shed light on how terrorism and CT have been affected by the pandemic. Results suggest that, for the most part, terrorists appear to have gained relatively little in the short term. At the same time, although many practitioners have experienced additional challenges in CT, most of these problems have not been insurmountable. Looking to the future, there is significant concern that terrorism will increase in response to the social and economic fallout from the pandemic. As a result, most survey respondents agreed that countries will need to cooperate more closely with each other on CT, and that greater US support for CT in the Indo-Pacific will be needed.

Terrorism and COVID-19: Are We Over-Estimating the Threat

Small Wars Journal, 2020

Violent extremists and terrorists have undoubtedly seized upon the outbreak of the coronavirus pa... more Violent extremists and terrorists have undoubtedly seized upon the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to peddle their propaganda and try and exploit the situation to their advantage. Much of the recent commentary on this issue seems to agree that the pandemic is benefitting terrorists in a number of ways, to include online recruitment, opportunities to gain public support through the provision of healthcare, and improved odds of success in planning and conducting attacks, thanks to the added strain that has been placed on security forces. But are we perhaps over-estimating the threat? This article re-examines each of these issues in turn, highlighting the various limitations, setbacks and challenges that terrorists are faced with. While there is indeed much to be concerned about, there is also reason to believe that terrorists’ gains may be far more modest than many people seem to think, particularly in the short-term.

RIGHT-WING TERRORISM: AN INTERVIEW WITH RETIRED FBI SPECIAL AGENT TOM O'CONNOR

Security Nexus, 2020

TERRORISM IN THE INDO-PACIFIC: THE YEAR GONE BY AND THE ROAD AHEAD

Security Nexus, 2020

The Indo-Pacific region, which encompasses most of Asia, as well as North America, Australasia, O... more The Indo-Pacific region, which encompasses most of Asia, as well as North America, Australasia, Oceania and parts of South America, consistently experiences some of the highest rates of terrorism in the world, and 2019 was no exception. This article, though by no means an exhaustive account, provides a roughly chronological overview of significant terrorist activities in the Indo-Pacific during the past year, with a particular focus on South and Southeast Asia. This is followed by several important advances in counter-terrorism (CT). The article concludes by considering what these, and other developments, may portend for the future.

Interview with Max Hill, QC, Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation for the United Kingdom

Perspectives on Terrorism, 2018

The following text is a transcript of an interview between the author and the Independent Reviewe... more The following text is a transcript of an interview between the author and the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation (IRTL) for the United Kingdom, Max Hill, QC, which took place on March 9, 2018 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Topics discussed included the role of the IRTL, prosecution of terrorism in the UK, returning foreign fighters, terrorism prevention and investigation measures (TPIMs), deportation of terrorism suspects, the involvement of children in terrorism, hate-preachers, and the British government's efforts to counter non-violent extremism. The transcript has been edited for brevity.

http://www.terrorismanalysts.com/pt/index.php/pot/article/view/694/1366

The Road to Orlando: Jihadist-Inspired Violence in the West: 2012-2016

CTC Sentinel, 2016

This analysis of 47 cases of jihadist-inspired violence carried out in Western countries between ... more This analysis of 47 cases of jihadist-inspired violence carried out in Western countries between January 1, 2012, and the June 12, 2016, Orlando attack sheds light on the evolving terrorist threat. The data shows that the Syrian civil war and the rise of the Islamic State have coincided with an increase in the number of attacks, with more than half of all violent incidents taking place in France and the United States. Notwithstanding the recent attacks in Paris and Brussels, most attacks were carried out by individuals with no direct ties to overseas terrorist groups and were low-tech and relatively ineffectual. Half of all attackers had a criminal past, and perhaps as many were unemployed. A majority of attacks targeted civilians, although violence was also frequently directed against members of law enforcement or the military. Knife attacks were the most common while shootings were the deadliest.

https://ctc.usma.edu/the-road-to-orlando-jihadist-inspired-violence-in-the-west-2012-2016/

Counter-terrorism in Australia: practitioner perspectives

Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism, 2016

This article presents the views of 11 senior police officers (both state and federal) who have be... more This article presents the views of 11 senior police officers (both state
and federal) who have been directly involved in counter-terrorism
(CT) in Australia over the past 15 years. Utilising direct quotes
from interviews conducted by the author between April 2012 and
November 2015, it offers unique insight into their views on a
variety of issues including: first experiences in CT, the unique
nature of terrorism investigations, interagency cooperation, Joint
Counter-Terrorism Teams, and challenges relating to lack of
technical interoperability, the complexities of CT legislation and
cultural barriers between agencies and how these have been
overcome.

Western Jihadist Threats to the Military

Small Wars Journal, 2016

This paper explores the threat posed by Salafi-jihadist militants in the West to military targets... more

Re-Examining the Involvement of Converts in Islamist Terrorism: A Comparison of the U.S. and U.K

Perspectives on Terrorism, 2015

This article explores the role of converts in the 'Global Salafi Jihad' based on a sample of 75 A... more This article explores the role of converts in the 'Global Salafi Jihad' based on a sample of 75 American and 47 British converts who became involved in Islamist terrorism between 1980 and September 11 th , 2013. Converts are compared to non-coverts on a variety of demographic, operational and investigative variables, and each sample is further divided into those who mobilized before and after 9/11 in order to allow assessment of changes over time. Contrary to previous research, results show that American converts in particular constitute a "jihadi underclass" that is markedly disadvantaged compared to the rest of the U.S. sample. They also present a generally less capable terrorism threat and are especially likely to be caught in sting operations. British converts, whilst also clearly disadvantaged and less capable, are much less distinct compared to non-converts in the U.K. Practical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.

http://www.terrorismanalysts.com/pt/index.php/pot/article/view/474/933

"Global Jihad": The Canadian Experience

Terrorism and Political Violence, 2013

This study aims to address the relative lack of research examining the Canadian experience of ter... more This study aims to address the relative lack of research examining the Canadian experience of terrorism relating to the ‘‘Global Salafi Jihad.’’ The fundamental research question was ‘‘What have people living in, or from, Canada been doing to support or advance violent jihad either at home or abroad?’’ Data were collected on individuals active from the 1980s through to the end of 2011 in an effort to be as exhaustive as possible. They were analysed according to three broad categories: background variables; operational variables; and investigations and outcomes. The sample was further divided into two and results compared according to whether individuals began offending before or after September 11, 2001, in order to assess change over time. The article begins with a brief history of terrorism in Canada, followed by the methodology, analysis of variables, and summary and conclusions. Cases included and excluded from the analysis are listed in Appendices A and B respectively.

Social network analysis and counter- terrorism: measures of centrality as an investigative tool

Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, 2012

This paper addresses the question of whether social network analysis (SNA) measures of centrality... more This paper addresses the question of whether social network analysis (SNA) measures of centrality might be useful as an investigative tool. It is often asserted that SNA can help to identify key players in a network who should be targeted in order to disrupt organizational activities. This is explored here by first considering various practical obstacles, followed by an empirical test of how centrality measures perform against known behavior of an actual terrorist network. The analysis suggests that measures of centrality were at least superficially able to identify individuals in key network positions (facilitators and group leaders) and also tended to highlight particular cells at times of operational importance. However, SNA measures otherwise failed to identify hierarchies, and results were heavily dictated by group size and intra-connectivity, rather than genuinely reacting to operational behavior. Along with other shortcomings, these limitations mean that smaller or less well-connected groups and individuals are more likely to be overlooked, despite the fact that they can make significant contributions to both network functioning and disruption.

Islamist Terrorism and Australia: An Empirical Examination of the "Home-Grown" Threat

Terrorism and Political Violence, 2011

Australian interests have been considered viable targets for Islamist terrorists since at least 2... more Australian interests have been considered viable targets for Islamist terrorists since at least 2001, and Australians have suffered from attacks in Bali in 2002 and 2005, and Jakarta in 2004 and 2009. Moreover, Australian citizens have been involved in militant Islamist networks since the late 1980s, and similar to other Western countries in recent years there have been examples of ‘‘home-grown’’ plots to carry out domestic terrorist attacks. This article seeks to clarify the nature of the contemporary security threat within Australia by analysing the involvement of Australian citizens and residents in Islamist terrorism, both at home and abroad. The results build upon previous research findings revealing that while the profile of Australian jihadis is unique in terms of its exact manifestation, there is overall conformity with generally observed trends in Islamist terrorism in other Western countries.

Rehabilitation of Islamist terrorists: Lessons from criminology

Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict, 2010

There is continued investment and attention being paid to programs of disengagement and deradical... more There is continued investment and attention being paid to programs of
disengagement and deradicalization (D&D) for Islamist terrorists. Whilst there is some evidence of positive effects of different programs, it is widely acknowledged that rehabilitative efforts with terrorists are in their infancy and that there is a great deal of potential for learning, development and refinement. The present article examines rehabilitation programs for Islamist militants in light of the literature on rehabilitative interventions for ‘‘ordinary’’ criminal offenders, which have been in development now for more than 50 years. Principles of best practice as well as challenges in the field of criminal corrections are outlined, and the extent to which these may be applicable in the context of dealing with terrorists is discussed. Although the content of criminal and terrorist rehabilitation programs will always differ, criminology can help to clarify issues, improve practice, and develop realistic expectations for rehabilitation of Islamist terrorists.

Iraq v Lack of Integration Understanding motivations

Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, 2010

Despite being nearly 10 years into the ‘Global War on Terror’ there is still confusion as to what... more Despite being nearly 10 years into the ‘Global War on Terror’ there is still
confusion as to what motivates the perpetrators of terrorist attacks, particularly those in the West. This article gives an overview of ‘home-grown’ jihadi activities in the West and examines the range of driving forces cited by and attributed to them. It aims to clarify the relative contributions of local inequalities, global political events such as the occupation of Iraq, religious beliefs and social processes as motivating factors. Implications for theories of terrorism and for counter-terrorism strategies are discussed.

Parallels Between Crime and Terrorism: A Social Psychological Perspective

Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, 2009

Although the psychology of terrorism is far from a neglected subject, there is still much to lear... more Although the psychology of terrorism is far from a neglected subject, there is still much to learn. “Ordinary” criminals remain enigmatic but have proved a far more accessible population for research purposes. This article bridges the gap between the study of crime and contemporary terrorism by examining the parallels between the two. Significant similarities are shown to exist between terrorists and organized as well as low-level criminals, including activities performed and systems of social influence and organization. Processes of social identification are universally important to varying degrees; however, specific differences in identity may represent key distinguishing features between groups. Although further comparisons utilizing more restrictive samples are necessary, attention is drawn to the sometimes underutilized potential that criminological research holds to act as a point of reference for the investigation of terrorism.

"Global Jihad": The Canadian Experience

Returnee Foreign Fighters from Syria and Iraq: The Kosovan Experience

by Kujtim Bytyqi and Sam Mullins

CTC Sentinel, 2019

Drawing upon the first author’s position within the Kosovo Security Council Secretariat and utili... more Drawing upon the first author’s position within the Kosovo Security Council Secretariat and utilizing internal government reports and statistics, this article provides an overview of the Kosovan experience dealing with returnee ‘foreign fighters’ from Syria and Iraq. So far, at least five returnees have been involved in planning domestic attacks, thus reaffirming academic analyses and recent reports suggesting that it is a minority of returnees who present an immediate terrorist threat. Nevertheless, a small number of returnees remain highly radicalized and are both willing and determined to attack at home. The Kosovan approach to managing this risk is discussed, to include challenges and lessons learned.