Skip to page content

Religious Fundamentalism

Counterterrorism
commentary
Counterproductive Counterinsurgency: Is Mozambique Creating the Next Boko Haram?
Hilary Matfess, Alexander H. Noyes @alexhnoyes
Sep 3, 2019
Lawfare
Despite recent claims of ties to the Islamic State, the threat in Mozambique from the Islamist insurgent group al-Sunnah wa Jamaah appears to be domestic, with scarce evidence of direct ties to international extremist groups. But if the Mozambique government continues to respond in a heavy-handed manner, the threat is likely to grow, with potentially devastating effects for the country and region.
Read More »

Terrorist Organizations
commentary
How to Defeat a New Boko Haram in Mali
Michael Shurkin @MichaelShurkin
Sep 8, 2015
Newsweek
While there is a need for stepped up military and police efforts against the self-proclaimed Macina Liberation Front, Mali's policymakers and their international partners need to focus on countering revivalist Islam, ideally by promoting Mali's other Islamic traditions, while finding ways to calm the inter-communal competition.
Read More »
Terrorism Threat Assessment
commentary
The Allure of ISIS for Young Recruits
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Mar 20, 2015
The Hill
Poverty and oppression may explain why people in some countries embrace violent extremism, but it does not account for the flow of Western volunteers or the dreamy allure of fighting for a faraway cause. Biographies of those who have reached out to participate in jihad suggest a variety of motives, including alienation, personal crises, dissatisfaction with empty spiritual lives, and adolescent rebellion.
Read More »
Counterterrorism
commentary
Tackling Radicalization Before It Begins
Kim Cragin
Feb 23, 2015
U.S. News & World Report
Why not turn the question of violent extremism inside out and develop programs that reinforce non-radicalization? That is, rather than eliminating drivers, focus instead on strengthening the factors that inhibit violent extremism.
Read More »
Egypt
commentary
What's Next for the Muslim Brotherhood?
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Aug 26, 2013
U.S. News & World Report
Some believe the Muslim Brotherhood should stay in the political game, adopting the role of loyal opposition. The Brotherhood would remain a minority party, but it could continue to hold offices, provide social assistance that the government does not, and demonstrate its continuing strength at the polls.
Read More »
Workplace Injury Prevention
commentary
What Bangladesh — and US Retailers — Must Do to Prevent Man-Made Tragedies
Jonah Blank
May 17, 2013
Christian Science Monitor
Perhaps most tragic of all are the disasters that are wholly preventable: the deaths, maimings, and crushed livelihoods that result from human callousness or indifference, writes Jonah Blank.
Read More »
Religious Fundamentalism
commentary
Searching for Clues on the Brothers Tsarnaev
Olga Oliker
May 6, 2013
Chicago Tribune
One doesn't need a clear link to a global terror group to carry out an attack; one needs only the resources, the means and an Internet connection. But the global nature of these communities and their online links also create openings police can exploit.
Read More »
Global Security
commentary
Is Asia's Forgotten Revolt About to Explode?
Jonah Blank
Feb 25, 2013
CNN
This is why teachers are so often the targets of attack. In the rebels' view, schools aren’t neutral places for children to receive an education. They are seen as government-run indoctrination centers, propagating an exclusionary history and an alien language, writes Jonah Blank.
Read More »
Security Cooperation
commentary
The Winners and Losers from the Syria Conflict
William Young
Jan 31, 2013
CNN
Although outside efforts to arm the rebels would help level the playing field in Syria, such a strategy would not ensure victory, and the weapons could fall into the hands of extremists for use against Israel, Jordan and other neighboring countries, writes William Young.
Read More »
Terrorism Threat Assessment
commentary
Generations of Terrorism
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Dec 13, 2012
The RAND Blog and GlobalSecurity.org
Whatever its eventual outcome, Syria's civil war has already produced thousands of experienced jihadists who will continue to threaten the region for years to come, writes Brian Michael Jenkins.
Read More »
Al Qaida
commentary
Difficult Questions on Today's Terrorist Threat
Seth G. Jones
Oct 22, 2012
The RAND Blog
Much like the struggle against the Soviet Union and Communism during the Cold War, it appears increasingly likely that the struggle against radical Islamic groups will last several decades, writes Seth G. Jones.
Read More »
Political Reform Movements
commentary
Muslim Brotherhood Failing to Learn from Mistakes
Jeffrey Martini
Oct 18, 2012
The RAND Blog and GlobalSecurity.org
The Muslim Brotherhood is falling into the same trap of overreach exhibited by the Egyptian military when the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) held the reins of authority during the first 16 months of the transition, writes Jeffrey Martini.
Read More »
Yemen
commentary
Awlaki's Death Hits al-Qaeda's Social Media Strategy
Seth G. Jones
Sep 30, 2011
BBC
Though Awlaki will be difficult to replace—since he effectively coupled both propaganda and operations—al-Qaeda will continue to plan attacks overseas against Western targets, writes Seth Jones.
Read More »
commentary
A War of Nerves in Turkey
F. Stephen Larrabee
May 12, 2007
Project Syndicate
A War of Nerves in Turkey in Project Syndicate (an association that distributes commentaries to 291 newspapers in 115 countries)
Read More »
commentary
Cartoons and Terror
Farhana Ali
Feb 22, 2006
United Press International
Published commentary by RAND staff: Cartoons and Terror, in United Press International.
Read More »
commentary
A Chance to Overcome Religious Divisions
Rollie Lal
May 27, 2004
The San Diego Union-Tribune
Published commentary by RAND staff.
Read More »