International terrorism
All topics-
Islamic State on trial
Prosecuting IS returnees in Germany takes the law's longest arm
An increasing number of Islamic State returnees are standing trial in Germany, including female supporters of the terror group. To make their case, federal prosecutors are relying on international criminal law. By Matthias von Hein
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War crimes on the Hindu Kush?
Death by drone – the United States' vicious Afghan legacy
The United States carried out more drone attacks on Afghanistan in 2019 than in any other year since Pentagon records began in 2006. The victims of this questionable military tactic, portrayed as precision strikes to kill alleged militants, are frequently innocent civilians, yet no one seems to care. Emran Feroz reports
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Syria and Iraq
Islamic State seeking to profit from coronavirus pandemic
From advisories against travel to calls for a new jihad, Islamic State sees the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to exploit. The militants, however, are no more immune to the virus than anyone else. By Lewis Sanders IV & Tom Allinson
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Counter-terrorist, terrorist – what's the difference?
YPG returnees under suspicion
The Kurdish YPG militia did the heavy lifting in the fight against the "Islamic State", yet many foreign YPG adherents, including Germans, have come home to find themselves under suspicion of terrorism. By Esther Felden & Matthias von Hein
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Essay by Islam expert Gilles Kepel
The new jihad and its mentors
Islamist attacks such as those that took place in Paris this last autumn evidence a new kind of perpetrator. In place of individual terror organisations, networks appear to have emerged that sermonise on the cultural rift and provoke radical acts. By Gilles Kepel
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Book review: Sherko Fatah's "Schwarzer September"
Dirty war
In his new novel, award-winning author Sherko Fatah delves deep into the history of the 1970s Palestinian terror movement "Black September" – a thrilling tale of special agents which boasts no heroes or victors and is indisputably relevant to our times. By Volker Kaminski
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Islamism in Southeast Asia
Islamic State's latest breeding ground
A recent knife attack on the security minister of Indonesia is a reminder of the danger of Islamist extremism in Southeast Asia. Security measures alone are not enough to combat radicalisation, say experts. By Rodion Ebbighausen
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Right-wing extremism
Halle, Christchurch… a network of "lone wolves"
Ongoing investigations into the Halle attack have so far concluded that the right-wing extremist attacker acted alone. But "lone wolves" are anything but isolated. By Sandra Petersmann and Naomi Conrad
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Afghanistanʹs political future
Is peace with the Taliban possible?
Despite ongoing peace negotiations between the United States and the Taliban, the bloody conflict in Afghanistan continues to take a heavy toll on the country’s people. Can talks with the Taliban really bring about peace? By Amin Saikal
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Pursuing prosecution in Germany
Justice for Yazidi survivors of Islamic State genocide
The extremist group "Islamic State" attempted to wipe out the Yazidis. Many thousands died, and survivors tell horrific tales of abuse and enslavement. Now, German investigators have taken up the fight for justice. By Matthias von Hein
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Female jihadists
Why women go to Holy War
Worldwide, the number of women joining the “holy war”, or jihad, is increasing. What causes them do so? And what role do they play within jihadist organisations? Two Jordanian Islamism experts have devoted their most recent study to exploring just these questions
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Easter Sunday bombings
How did Islamist terrorism take hold in Sri Lanka?
How active are Islamist groups in Sri Lanka? Could they have launched multiple, well-coordinated terrorist attacks in different parts of the country without the support of global jihadist organisations? By Shamil Shams