R ADICALIZATION

R ADICALIZATION IS A DYNAMIC PROCESS THAT VARIES FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL, BUT SHARES SOME UNDERLYING COMMONALITIES THAT CAN BE EXPLORED. S HIRA F ISHMAN, RESEARCHER AT THE N ATIONAL C ONSORTIUM FOR THE S TUDY OF T ERRORISM AND R ESPONSES TO T ERRORISM

R ADICALIZATION Radicalization (or radicalisation ) is a process by which an individual or group comes to adopt increasingly extreme political, social, or religious ideals and aspirations that reject or undermine the status quo or reject and/or undermine contemporary ideas and expressions of freedom of choice.

H OW DOES RADICALIZATION OCCUR ?

R ADICALIZATION (1) Radicalism can originate from a broad social consensus against progressive changes in society. Radicalization can be both violent and nonviolent, although most academic literature focuses on radicalization into violent extremism.

R ADICALIZATION (2) The UK Home Office (Ministero degli Interni) defines radicalization as “The process by which people come to support terrorism and violent extremism and, in some cases, then join terrorist groups.”

Key indicators in the process of radicalization

P RE - RADICALIZATION Individual's ordinary life prior to radicalization. Key indicators Individual’s background and current environment, 2nd or 3rd generation immigrant, having a college or even advanced degree. Being a recent convert.

S ELF - IDENTIFICATION The individual comes to identify with radical movements. Key indicators 1) A crisis event occurs progressing the individual towards new belief. 2) Regular attendance at radical meetings 3) Change in personal behavior e.g. giving up vices such as gambling, drinking alcohol, and smoking, as well as becoming involved in social activism pertaining to new belief.

I NDOCTRINATION Individuals intensify and focus their beliefs. Key indicators Individual takes on political worldview and relates all things back to new belief and its teachings, movement towards a small group where radical ideas are espoused and shared.

J IHADIZATION Individual starts to take actions based on new belief. Key indicators Decision to travel abroad to countries involved in conflict for training. Preparation for an act of terrorism through internet research, physical surveillance of possible targets, and visiting jihadi websites for words of encouragement prior to an attack. Acquiring materials needed for explosives or other means of attack i.e. guns, vehicles, bomb components

U SING THE I NTERNET FOR T ERRORISM

W E LIVE IN A DIGITAL ERA. I N THE UK ALONE 85 PER CENT OF HOMES HAVE INTERNET ACCESS. A S SOCIETY INCREASINGLY EMBRACES THE INTERNET, SO OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE WISHING TO USE IT FOR TERRORISM HAVE GROWN. T HE INTERNET OFFERS TERRORISTS AND EXTREMISTS THE CAPABILITY TO COMMUNICATE, COLLABORATE AND CONVINCE.

H OW DOES THE I NTERNET CONVINCE POTENTIAL TERORRISTS ?

PRIMARY RESEARCH CONDUCTED ON RADICALISATION VIA INTERNET CONFIRMS THAT THE INTERNET PLAYS A ROLE IN THE RADICALISATION PROCESS OF VIOLENT EXTREMISTS AND TERRORISTS. F INDINGS SHOW THAT :

T HE INTERNET CREATES MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME RADICALISED the internet may enhance opportunities to become radicalised, as a result of being available to many people, and enabling connection with like-minded individuals from across the world

T HE INTERNET ACTS AS AN ‘ ECHO CHAMBER ’ the internet may act as an ‘echo chamber’ for extremist beliefs; in other words, the internet may provide a greater opportunity than offline interactions to confirm existing beliefs.

T HE INTERNET ACCELERATES THE PROCESS OF RADICALISATION The internet appears to facilitate this process, which, in turn, may or may not accelerate it.

T HE INTERNET MAY ENCOURAGE RADICALISATION TO OCCUR WITHOUT PHYSICAL CONTACT It is not necessarily a substitute for in-person meetings but, rather, complements in-person communication.

T HE INTERNET MAY INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF - RADICALISATION Research does not support the suggestion that the internet has contributed to the development of self-radicalisation. Subjects usually have contact with other individuals, whether virtually or physically.