31 October 2018
Combatting Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Asia and Europe: From Cooperation to Collaboration
Over the last months, Daesh has lost most of its territory in Iraq and Syria. Many of its fighters have been killed in combat or fled the conflict zone. Although this might affect its capabilities in the short-run, it certainly does not mean a demise of violent extremism and terrorism nor Daesh as an organization. Daesh has instead decentralized its structure and expanded worldwide with Asia and Europe becoming focus areas for its activities. The result of the developments in Syria and Iraq, changes in the modus operandi of Daesh-affiliated groups and the geographic expansion of the terrorist networks is a more diverse, heterogeneous and less predictable threat which calls for greater collaboration – not only cooperation – at all levels if countries want to prevent and counter violent extremism successfully and sustainably.
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung has therefore produced this publication in collaboration with the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS). The papers provide insights into various fields of collaboration in Asia and Europe and show how this can be improved. In addition, experts discuss recent developments in both regions with regard to the threat perception and how resilience as well as prevention can be increased by understanding the narratives, lone actor concept, the role of educational institutions as recruitment grounds and the need for human rights to prevail.
Over the last months, Daesh has lost most of its territory in Iraq and Syria. Many of its fighters have been killed in combat or fled the conflict zone. Although this might affect its capabilities in the short-run, it certainly does not mean a demise of violent extremism and terrorism nor Daesh as an organization. Daesh has instead decentralized its structure and expanded worldwide with Asia and Europe becoming focus areas for its activities. The result of the developments in Syria and Iraq, changes in the modus operandi of Daesh-affiliated groups and the geographic expansion of the terrorist networks is a more diverse, heterogeneous and less predictable threat which calls for greater collaboration – not only cooperation – at all levels if countries want to prevent and counter violent extremism successfully and sustainably.
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung has therefore produced this publication in collaboration with the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS). The papers provide insights into various fields of collaboration in Asia and Europe and show how this can be improved. In addition, experts discuss recent developments in both regions with regard to the threat perception and how resilience as well as prevention can be increased by understanding the narratives, lone actor concept, the role of educational institutions as recruitment grounds and the need for human rights to prevail.
