Page 91 - Šolsko polje, XXIX, 2018, no. 5-6: Radicalization, Violent Extremism and Conflicting Diversity, eds. Mitja Sardoč and Tomaž Deželan
P. 91
prezelj et al. ■ islamist radicalisation towards extreme violence and terrorism
terrorism and anti-radicalisation measures (normally carried out by gov-
ernments). If the government, with its own interpretation of affairs, does
not win the hearts and minds of the population, it can never win over ter-
rorists and radicals. This is one of the key elements of the so-called ‘smart
counter-terrorism’ (see Prezelj, 2013). The question is why terrorism still
exists despite successful counterterrorist operations. Why have dead or
captured leaders been replaced by new leaders and new hubs?
Part of the answer lies in the network structure of radical and ter-
rorist groups, which is quite adaptable and resistant to traditional forms
of combat and law enforcement. The other part of the answer relates to
the support of the people. At this cognitive level (in the world of meaning
and feeling), radical terrorist and counter-terrorist narratives and ideolo-
gies are competing to win the hearts and minds of the population. These
facts have been confirmed by the counter-insurgency literature. For exam-
ple, Nagl (2005) clearly explained that there are two basic approaches in
counter-insurgency: directly annihilating the insurgents (extremists, rad-
icals, and terrorists in our discussion), or indirectly turning the loyalty of
the people. The indirect approach (in Mao Tse-Tung’s terms “to separate
the fish from the water”) recognizes that while continuing to attack the
armed elements of the insurgency, it is also essential to attack the support
of the people for the insurgents. Such an indirect approach is rather differ-
ent from the direct approach, and in the long term is usually more effec-
tive. O’Neill (2002) also stressed that several aspects of popular support
need to be considered, such as active and passive support, the role of in-
tellectuals and the masses, and various techniques to gain support. Such a
fight for the loyalty of the population is essentially political in nature, but
is also inseparable from law enforcement and military activities.
This leads us to the need to understand how Islamist radicals try to
win the hearts and minds of the population, as well as to increase their
membership. We will first look at how they handle religious principles,
and then how they use propaganda.
Misuse of Islamic Religious Principles
in the Radicalisation Process
Islamist radicalisation and terrorism does not exist without a religious
basis. The basis comes from religious texts, and more precisely from spe-
cific interpretations of religious texts (see Capan, 2006; Esposito, 2003;
Hartevelt Kobrin, 2010). The purpose of this chapter is to explain how in-
dividuals move from Islam to jihadi extremism and terrorism, and how
they misuse related religious principles and texts.
89
terrorism and anti-radicalisation measures (normally carried out by gov-
ernments). If the government, with its own interpretation of affairs, does
not win the hearts and minds of the population, it can never win over ter-
rorists and radicals. This is one of the key elements of the so-called ‘smart
counter-terrorism’ (see Prezelj, 2013). The question is why terrorism still
exists despite successful counterterrorist operations. Why have dead or
captured leaders been replaced by new leaders and new hubs?
Part of the answer lies in the network structure of radical and ter-
rorist groups, which is quite adaptable and resistant to traditional forms
of combat and law enforcement. The other part of the answer relates to
the support of the people. At this cognitive level (in the world of meaning
and feeling), radical terrorist and counter-terrorist narratives and ideolo-
gies are competing to win the hearts and minds of the population. These
facts have been confirmed by the counter-insurgency literature. For exam-
ple, Nagl (2005) clearly explained that there are two basic approaches in
counter-insurgency: directly annihilating the insurgents (extremists, rad-
icals, and terrorists in our discussion), or indirectly turning the loyalty of
the people. The indirect approach (in Mao Tse-Tung’s terms “to separate
the fish from the water”) recognizes that while continuing to attack the
armed elements of the insurgency, it is also essential to attack the support
of the people for the insurgents. Such an indirect approach is rather differ-
ent from the direct approach, and in the long term is usually more effec-
tive. O’Neill (2002) also stressed that several aspects of popular support
need to be considered, such as active and passive support, the role of in-
tellectuals and the masses, and various techniques to gain support. Such a
fight for the loyalty of the population is essentially political in nature, but
is also inseparable from law enforcement and military activities.
This leads us to the need to understand how Islamist radicals try to
win the hearts and minds of the population, as well as to increase their
membership. We will first look at how they handle religious principles,
and then how they use propaganda.
Misuse of Islamic Religious Principles
in the Radicalisation Process
Islamist radicalisation and terrorism does not exist without a religious
basis. The basis comes from religious texts, and more precisely from spe-
cific interpretations of religious texts (see Capan, 2006; Esposito, 2003;
Hartevelt Kobrin, 2010). The purpose of this chapter is to explain how in-
dividuals move from Islam to jihadi extremism and terrorism, and how
they misuse related religious principles and texts.
89
