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OUR MISSION

We offer specialized expertise, research and services on violent extremism, terrorism, and deradicalization. Our aim is to generate cutting-edge insights in this field and help to improve society as a whole. We believe that progress in this area has been slow compared to other advancements, and urgent changes are required to adapt to a world that is becoming increasingly complex.

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OUR PROJECTS

At the heart of our mission is a commitment to making a positive impact through our work. That's why we're proud to be involved in a number of projects that have been generously supported by the European Union and other donors. If you want to see what we're up to, take a closer look at our current projects.

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Check out our free online repository in German language on everything regarding right-wing extremism, Islamist extremism, conspiracy theories and more.

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The image shows the cover of an academic publication from the journal "ZepRa – Zeitschrift für praxisorientierte (De-)Radikalisierungsforschung." The title of the featured article is "Von Hate Huntern und schleimigen Monstern: Ein Praxisbericht des Projekts GameD – Gaming for Democracy." The authors are Judith Jaskowski and Linda Schlegel. The issue is labelled as "Bd. 3 / Nr. 1 / 2024." The cover is designed with a teal background and white text, featuring a minimalistic and professional layout.

GAMING GEGEN EXTREMISMUS

Präventions- und Interventionskonzepte im Gaming-Bereich sind noch wenig erprobt. Der häufigste Ansatz besteht darin, Handyspiele zu entwickeln, die junge Menschen spielerisch über extremistische Propaganda aufklären, ihre Medienkompetenz fördern und Resilienz gegenüber Beeinflussungsversuchen aufbauen. Viele dieser Spiele sind jedoch textlastig und gestalterisch wenig ansprechend.

Unter der Leitung von SCENOR verfolgte das Projekt "GameD – Gaming for Democracy" daher das Ziel, ein Handyspiel zu entwickeln, das sowohl die Anforderungen der Präventionsarbeit erfüllt als auch mit kommerziellen Spielen in puncto Unterhaltung mithalten kann.

Das Ergebnis ist das Jump’n’Run-Spiel "Hate Hunters", das auf minimalen Text und ansprechende Spielmechaniken aufbaut, um präventive Botschaften effektiv zu vermitteln. Das Spiel wurde gemeinsam mit jungen Menschen entwickelt, um sowohl seinen Unterhaltungswert als auch das Verständnis der Inhalte zu evaluieren.

Dieser Praxisbericht beleuchtet unter anderem diesen Ansatz der Co-Kreation mit Jugendlichen und gibt Einblicke in die theoretischen Grundlagen des Projekts und die positiven Effekte von Videospielen in der Bildung.

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A dimly lit room with a young person sitting at a desk, staring at a computer screen displaying extremist content. Dark, shadowy figures emerge from the screen, reaching towards the individual, symbolising the influence of online radicalisation. Social media icons and chat windows are visible in the background, representing the role of digital platforms in spreading radical ideologies.

THE PATH TO RADICALISATION

How do young people get radicalised online? - In this interview in German language, Daniela Pisoiu describes what role online influencers play and how to tell if someone is radicalised.

Dr Pisoiu is a renowned expert in the field, conducting in-depth research on terrorism, radicalisation, and violent extremism. She has published extensively on these subjects, contributing numerous scholarly works that advance the understanding of these complex and pressing issues.

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Cover of online magazine "Journal for deradicalization"

DOING IT AGAIN

Assessing the features and implications of terrorism recidivism of jihadi attacks in Europe -
by Erik Hacker (researcher at SCENOR) and Daniela Pisoiu (senior researcher at oiip)

This article focuses on the issue of terrorism recidivism as it relates specifically to terrorist attacks. Based on the analysis of a dataset comprising information on jihadi attacks and their perpetrators in Europe between 2014 and 2022, it presents a number of interesting findings, such as: attacks committed by terrorism recidivists have a significantly higher impact in terms of casualties.

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Two male Jihadist fighters, one laying his right arm on the right shoulder of the other, one is wearing a Palestine scarf on the head, the other around his neck

THE ISKP'S WESTERN AMBITIONS

Following Al-Qaeda's footsteps of global jihad from Afghanistan - by Erik Hacker, Researcher at SCENOR

KEY INSIGHTS:

Zeitgeist: Recent global and European political developments (Israel-Hamas war and Quran-burning incidents in Scandinavian countries) have revitalised the European jihadist movement. However, there are currently no realistic opportunities for newly mobilised jihadists in the West to join a foreign terrorist group abroad. That incentivises domestic terrorist attacks in the West.

ISKP is about to fill the global jihadist power vacuum: Despite the current sociopolitical environment favouring jihadist mobilisation, major foreign terrorist organisations known for their international capabilities struggle to take advantage of that. Da'esh has failed to produce a charismatic leader and continues to focus on local insurgency. Meanwhile, Al-Qaeda does not appear to have the necessary appeal in the West to orchestrate attacks.

ISKP's primary objective:
The primary objective is to establish a caliphate in Afghanistan and surrounding countries, with the Taliban regime continuing to be its most significant obstacle. Attacks against the West are merely an instrument to advance ISKP's regional goal in Southeast Asia.

ISKP has the following four incentives to attack the West:

(1) Weaken and delegitimise the Taliban regime on the international stage because it has not lived up to its counterterrorism promises

(2) Increase financial and operational support from Da'esh by maintaining the Da'esh brand as the dominant global jihadist entity

(3) Raise the group's status and appeal in the global jihadi movement and increase the inflow of donations and foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs)

(4) Provoke anti-Muslim sentiment in Western societies or even retaliatory strikes

ISKP uses the following three-pronged strategy for its external operations in the West:

- Inspire attacks via multi-lingual propaganda

- "Virtual planner”, which consists of assisting or instructing attacks on the West by local supporters through online support

- Dispatching trained operatives who are smuggled into Europe via Turkey and Ukraine

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JIHADI ATTACKS IN EUROPE

Trends & features 2014-2022 - by Erik Hacker, researcher at SCENOR: based on an original dataset of jihadi terrorist attacks in Europe between 2014 and 2022, this report provides data on the temporal and spatial aspects of attacks, the weapon(s) used, target(s), the number of perpetrators, number of casualties (dead/injured), the perpetrators’ terrorist group affiliation, the perpetrators’ criminal record, authorities’ knowledge about the perpetrators being potential threats, surveillance status, mental health conditions, asylum seeker status, age, convert status, citizenship, and employment.

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5. Flugblatt der Widerstandsgruppe Weisse Rose vom Jänner 1943 in deutscher Sprache

WHITE ROSE RESISTANCE GROUP

Living in freedom - Sometimes we need to remember the values of a free and democratic state which we take for granted - read the 5th leaflet of the White Rose Resistance Group of January 1943 in which they remind us, in outstanding bravery - for which many had to pay the ultimate price.

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RECENT BLOGPOSTS

THE EVOLVING JIHADIST THREAT IN EUROPE AGAINST JEWISH AND CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES POST-7/10

Jihadist threats rise post-7/10. How Europe’s Jewish and Christian communities face deterrence challenges and the security paradox.

JIHADI ATTACKS AND PLOTS IN EUROPE: A NEW WAVE OF TERRORISM?

Europe's jihadist threat evolves: Fewer attacks but rising plots. Analyse trends, profiles, and emerging tactics in this in-depth report.

FROM MARGINS TO TARGETS: HOW TO COUNTER EXCLUSION AND PROTECT RELIGIOUS MINORITIES

Researcher José Luis Salido-Medina on the dangers faced by minority religious communities due to social and spatial exclusion

UNVEILING THE POPULIST PARADOX: HOW FREEDOM OF SPEECH IMPACTS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND SAFETY

Niels Verster on how populism blurs the line between freedom of speech and religious safety.

INSIDE EUROPEAN EXIT WORK: KEY PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES

Understanding Extremist Reintegration: Robert Örell explores European Exit work & delves into successful reintegration strategies.

TREATING MENTAL HEALTH IN THE FIGHT AGAINST RADICALIZATION

Guillaume Monod on the issue of radicalised individuals with mental health problems - and recommended approaches.

OUR COOPERATION PARTNERS

Senatorin für Justiz und Verfassung in Bremen, senator for justice and constitution in Bremen

European Foundation for South Asian Studies, EFSAS,

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