This thesis focuses on the issue of far-right lone-wolf terrorism in Germany. Lone-wolf terrorism - terrorism perpetrated by individuals, who display no ties to terrorist organizations - is a concept, which is skeptically accepted by many scholars. The main issue with this concept is the emphasis of the "lone" part, especially during the preparation and the attack itself. Scholars, who refuse this concept claim, that in every case, the attacker is a member of a larger group - it can be either ideology-based or it can provide material assistance. Furthermore, lone- wolf terrorism is primarily associated with religious terrorism, probably because of the activities of Islamic state in recent years. However, this thesis approaches lone-wolf terrorism as relevant concept, which refers to a security threat, that is represented by radicalized and hard- to-detect individuals. The thesis focuses on three cases of far-right terrorism in Germany, which were committed by an attacker, that operated alone - Munich shooting (July 2016), Halle synagogue attack (October 2019), and Hanau shooting (February 2020). German society provided significant space for radicalization and spread of far-right ideology, especially because of its friendly politics after the outbreak of refugee crisis. Regarding the cases, the main...

This thesis deals with the topic of terrorism prevention and counter-radicalization in the European Union. The aim of this thesis is to assess the effectiveness of the 'prevent' pillar of The EU Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Due to the lack of agreement on why people engage in terrorism, (the process of) radicalization, and measuring and conceptualizing effectiveness, a unique research framework was designed. In the absence of a 'recipe' for effective terrorism prevention, the focus is on the EU's approach, i.e. what the EU has set out for itself in the 'prevent' pillar. This research design consists of two criteria - 'progress' and 'EU involvement.' In order to assess the effectiveness of the 'prevent' pillar, each of the pillar's seven key priorities was exposed to these criteria. The findings indicate that the 'prevent' pillar is relatively effective as the progress was made in each priority area and the EU was involved considerably. As this research does not make any causality claims, these findings do not translate into the reduction of the terrorist threat. This effectiveness might as well be a result of careful wording of the pillar's priorities and their tailoring to the EU context. The main responsibility to tackle radicalization and recruitment still remains at local and national level.

Wahhabi interpretation of Islam, which came to Bosnia and Herzegovina with the arrival of foreign fighters and humanitarian organizations from Islamic countries during the war between 1992 and 1995, developed a conflicting relationship with the local Islamic tradition. Diploma thesis The position of the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Wahhabism between 1992 and 2016 uses a critical analysis of primary sources to explain development of the position of the official religious institution of Bosnian Muslims, the Islamic Community, to Wahhabism and its supporters since their arrival to the present. This paper shows that although the Islamic Community often seemed ambivalent in its approach, it took a negative stance to the alien religious tradition from the outset and even though its activities were inconsistent, the Islamic Community contributed to preventing the spread of Wahhabism in the country. Furthermore, we show that the position of the Islamic Community was rather determined by political needs than by religious incentives.

The purpose of this study is to contribute to a greater knowledge and understanding of violent discourses within the Far Right community with emphasizes on online violent content. The study has, by analyzing the narrative, identified four discursive strategies used by the Nordic Resistance Movement (NMR) in order to legitimize violence. By studying three texts in the time span of fifteen years published by the organization, the ambition is to identify a change in the discourse of violence.   Today’s society is greatly influenced by the presence of the Internet. The rise of populist political parties in European and American counties etc. has lead to discussions regarding the cause of this phenomenon. A reoccurring debate is if the Internet is to blame for this, since it is accessible for most people, with non-or little legislative control regarding credibility. What can be stated for a fact, however, is that these forces are once again gaining more support and power. Due to this, finding explanations for this turn of event, which is updated to the society that we live in now is of importance. In order to understand this phenomenon the study has examined the Far Right organization the Nordic Resistance Movement (NMR). In the empirical part of the thesis four themes of violent discourses were identified; the enemies, the threat, family politics and women’s role in society and community-building processes. The four discursive strategies identified are in accordance with the chosen methodological framework, namely, critical discourse analysis. Aforementioned discursive strategies and analysis questions which, framed the empirical material, were analysed through the lenses of Norman Fairclough’s theory three-dimensional conception of discourse. In the discourses, amongst other things, it could be identified that the discourses had indeed become more violent.

The existing research on lone wolf terrorism and the use of case study research within this field and criminology is discussed and reviewed. In an attempt to find how an investigated and IS inspired extremist commits an act of lone wolf terrorism without any suspicion of authorities was the key focus. Through the use of a case study utilizing a chronological time-series analysis, Man Haron Monis responsible for the Martin Place Siege in Sydney, Australia in 2014 was examined. The analysis produced eleven significant events contributing to his radicalization. His radicalization process and the causal factors were examined against two radicalization pyramids developed by McCauley and Moskalenko (2014) that placed him at the most dangerous level of a lone wolf about to act. This thesis also indicates the limitations of lone wolf terrorism research and the further steps required in order for authorities to effectively identify and disrupt lone wolf terrorists prior to terrorist acts.

Syftet med denna undersökning har varit att undersöka och analysera hur arbetet mot våldsbejakande extremism bedrivs i Gävleborgs län och vilka utmaningar som finns kopplat till ett sådant arbete. Studien gjordes genom nyckelpersonsintervjuer. Resultatet visade att arbetet mot våldsbejakande extremism precis har påbörjats i vissa kommuner medan andra inte har inlett ett sådant specifikt arbete. Flertalet kommuner avvaktar med att formulera en lokal handlingsplan i väntan på regionala direktiv.   Kommunerna i Gävleborgs län anser att förebyggande arbete ska bedrivas i enighet med de nationella rekommendationerna och genom att fortsätta befintliga demokratifrämjande och förebyggande arbete.   Utmaningar som framträdde gällande det lokala arbetet mot våldsbejakande extremism var bland andra osäkerhet, vilken verkade vara kopplad till kunskapsbrist om våldsbejakande extremism och till rådande samhällsdebatt. Till viss del fanns också en osäkerhet kopplad till lagstiftning gällande främst sekretess och personlig integritet. Därtill framstod olika aspekter av samordning som centrala utmaningar.

Depuis les attentats du 9/11, la lutte contre le terrorisme est devenue une priorité dans de nombreux pays. Les gouvernements ont mis en place des dispositifs destinés à prévenir les actes terroristes et à identifier en amont les potentiels suspects. C’est dans ce contexte que s’est développé un nouveau champ de savoir sur la « radicalisation ». Ce concept, qui présente le passage à l’acte violent comme l’aboutissement d’un processus, offre aux autorités la possibilité d’intervenir en amont pour « arrêter » ou « inverser » cette progression. À partir de l’analyse de deux rapports officiels et de deux campagnes publiques de prévention, je procéderai à l’analyse critique des discours institutionnels français sur la radicalisation. Je mettrai en évidence la manière dont ce phénomène est représenté par l’administration et les relations que ce concept entretient avec les pratiques de prévention. Enfin, je mettrai en lumière la fonction stratégique de ce savoir pour le pouvoir. / Since the attacks of 9/11, the fight against terrorism has become a priority in many countries. Governments have put in place systems to prevent terrorist acts and to identify potential suspects in advance. It is in this context that a new field of knowledge on "radicalization" has been developed. This concept, which presents the passage to violent action as the culmination of a process, offers the authorities the possibility of intervening upstream to "stop" or "reverse" this progression. Based on the analysis of two official reports and two public prevention campaigns, I will establish a critical analysis of French institutional discourse on radicalization. I will highlight the way in which this phenomenon is represented by the administration and the relationship that this concept has with prevention practices. Finally, I will highlight the strategic function of this knowledge for government.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / The problem of violent extremism is approaching a critical point in America. American government and community leaders must find an effective approach to deterring violent extremism immediately. A national and comprehensive approach to deter violent extremism in America is currently lacking. This comparative policy perspective seeks to determine whether the United Kingdom and Australia have good practices to deter violent extremism that can be useful in America. Secondly, this thesis also seeks to determine whether the United States can implement potential good practices to deter violent extremism. After a thorough review of the issue of violent extremism in America, this thesis studies similar background, research, and violent extremism issues in the United Kingdom and Australia. This thesis concludes that a variety of good practices in the United Kingdom and Australia can counter radicalize and deter violent extremists in America. The findings and recommendations from this research include challenges and a way forward to implement certain potential best practices for the United States. The arguments offer viable options and alternatives that the United States should consider when creating a national deterring-violent-extremism strategy. The details and information regarding understanding and implementing good practices to deter violent extremism in America are contained in this thesis. / Major, New York Army National Guard, Latham, New York

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / Reissued 30 May 2017 with correction to degree on title page. / The thesis argues that the Maoist-led government in post-insurgency Nepal has failed to deliver on the promises of reform that brought it to power. The long-enduring social and economic grievances based on the Nepali Hindu social structure persist. Starting in 1996, the Maoists successfully capitalized on such grievances, and with the promise of radical reforms, led a decade-long successful insurgency. A political negotiation incorporating major Maoist demands ended the insurgency in 2006. The electoral victory right after the end of the insurgency provided the Maoists with the mandate and opportunity to reform traditional socio-economic and political structure. Unfortunately, the post-2006 period is seeing an emergence of political instability akin to the post-1991 era. This thesis examines the state of reforms in post-insurgency Nepal to identify the gaps between the promises made and the reforms implemented that are causing ongoing grievances. The thesis also highlights the importance of the coalition culture in producing political stability to eliminate persistent grievances and implement reforms for the future stability of Nepal. / Lieutenant Colonel, Nepalese Army

La pratique de simulations militaires ne cesse de croître en popularité au sein de la population civile québécoise, et nous en savons jusqu’à maintenant très peu sur ces activités marginales et sur le risque que peuvent poser de tels entraînements. En considérant divers processus d’apprentissage, nous nous intéressons aux simulations militaires pour mieux comprendre la façon dont ces apprentissages peuvent mener à la création d’un capital préjudiciable pouvant expliquer un passage à des actes de violence extrême. Nous proposons et appuyons empiriquement une approche sociocriminologique visant à mieux comprendre ce qu’on appelle la radicalisation violente, en avançant que tout comportement délinquant doit être appris, au même titre que n’importe quel autre comportement, ce qui suggère inévitablement qu’une certaine compétence est nécessaire pour exécuter un acte délinquant. Ainsi, nous posons la question de recherche suivante : comment pourrions-nous mieux comprendre le processus menant à la commission d’un acte de violence extrême en nous intéressant aux apprentissages découlant de simulations militaires et menant au développement d’un capital préjudiciable? En utilisant une méthodologie mixte comprenant des observations, des questionnaires et des entretiens, nous faisons ressortir que l’étude de la radicalisation dans une perspective uniquement idéologique est insuffisante pour dresser un portrait complet de ce phénomène complexe. Même si nos résultats démontrent que, dans les communautés que nous avons étudiées, de nombreux affects positifs amènent les participants à adopter des comportements prosociaux, nous établissons aussi qu’ils développent un capital préjudiciable. Ces affects positifs se présentent sous différentes formes de contrôle social informel issues des normes sociales dominantes, de la pluralité des acteurs et des personnalités influentes du milieu. Quant au capital préjudiciable, il provient premièrement d’apprentissages de techniques de combat avancées pouvant faciliter la commission d’actes de violence extrême. Les participants apprennent notamment le maniement tactique d’armes à feu et d’autres engins explosifs improvisés. De plus, nous soutenons que ces activités peuvent avoir un impact sur leur jugement moral, puisqu’elles présentent plusieurs formes de banalisations pour des pratiques liées à la commission d’un acte violent. Parmi celles-ci, nous soulignons que l’activité consiste à pointer et tirer quelqu’un avec une arme de manière répétitive, alors que les participants rationalisent ces actions en utilisant un vocabulaire qui ne décrit pas concrètement les gestes violents qu’ils commettent. / Civilian military simulations are gaining more and more popularity within the Province of Quebec, and we know very little about what constitutes this marginal activity and the risk that can account from this type of training. Considering different learning processes, we suggest to look at military simulations to see how the learning of detrimental capital can explain how an individual or a group are achieving acts of extreme violence. We propose and empirically support a socio-criminological approach for a better understanding of extreme violence radicalization, and we think that delinquent behavior must be learned, as any other behavior, which inevitably suggests some competency to achieve it. Thus, we ask the following research question: through exploring the acquisition of detrimental capital in civilian military simulations, how can we better understand the process leading to the commission of an act of extreme violence? Using a mixed method of ethnographic observations, surveys and interviews, we highlight how the study of the processes of radicalization in a single ideological perspective is insufficient for having a complete picture of the phenomenon. Even if we are demonstrating that within the observed communities, lots of positive affect are influencing participants toward unfavorable definitions for delinquent behaviors, we are also showing that they acquire detrimental capital. These positive affects come in different forms of informal social control from dominant social norms, plurality of actors and internal influential personalities. Regarding detrimental capital, it originates from the learning of advanced combat techniques that are often used for the commission of extreme violence. Among them, participants learn particular tactical handling of firearms and other improvised explosive devices. In addition, we figure that these activities may have an impact on their moral judgment, since they offer several forms of banalization of practices related to the commission of such acts. Of these, we emphasize that the activity consists in aiming and shooting at someone repeatedly with a gun, whereas participants rationalize these actions using terms that do not directly describe their violent actions.