28 July 2021
CENS Expert Survey on Extremism Report 2: Current Priorities in Counter-terrorism and Prevention
Executive Summary
The CENS Expert Survey assessed prevailing views among 65 leading experts on violent extremism and its prevention in different parts of the world. This is the second of two RSIS Policy Reports on the survey results: The first discussed emerging issues regarding militant networks, while the present report considers strategies to counter terrorism and prevent violent extremism. Respondents working on/in Southeast Asia viewed community-based prevention programmes and coordination among stakeholders as the most important areas of counter-terrorism emphasis moving forward, while experts in “the West” (Europe and North America) saw prison programmes and reintegration as a greater priority. Online counter-messaging campaigns received comparatively less endorsement, despite recognition that the COVID-19 pandemic had generated greater extremist activity online. Supporting the families of imprisoned extremists was considered important for Southeast Asia respondents, but much less so among those in the West.
Evolutions to terrorist threats and responses require continued thinking about solutions and mitigation.
In this podcast, Cameron Sumpter, Research Fellow at the Centre of Excellence for National Security(CENS), compares views on counter-terrorism and examines ways to prevent violent extremism.
In this podcast, Cameron Sumpter, Research Fellow at the Centre of Excellence for National Security(CENS), compares views on counter-terrorism and examines ways to prevent violent extremism.
Executive Summary
The CENS Expert Survey assessed prevailing views among 65 leading experts on violent extremism and its prevention in different parts of the world. This is the second of two RSIS Policy Reports on the survey results: The first discussed emerging issues regarding militant networks, while the present report considers strategies to counter terrorism and prevent violent extremism. Respondents working on/in Southeast Asia viewed community-based prevention programmes and coordination among stakeholders as the most important areas of counter-terrorism emphasis moving forward, while experts in “the West” (Europe and North America) saw prison programmes and reintegration as a greater priority. Online counter-messaging campaigns received comparatively less endorsement, despite recognition that the COVID-19 pandemic had generated greater extremist activity online. Supporting the families of imprisoned extremists was considered important for Southeast Asia respondents, but much less so among those in the West.
