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Religious Fundamentalism

Commentary
U.S. and Israel on Parallel Paths
From the political roles of religious fundamentalism, to the inability of either side to find compromise with the other, to leaders facing legal struggles, the United States and Israel have a lot in common.
Sep 6, 2023
Report
Study on foreign funding of religious institutions in the Netherlands
Study on foreign funding of religious institutions in the Netherlands and the extent to which funding is associated with undesirable influence from unfree countries.
Nov 20, 2020
Journal Article
Congregational Involvement in HIV: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis of Factors Influencing HIV Activity Among Diverse Urban Congregations
This paper utilizes comparative case methods and qualitative case data from a sample of urban congregations, and examines a range of factors to identify case scenarios associated with congregations involved in different levels of HIV activity.
Dec 13, 2019
Commentary
Counterproductive Counterinsurgency: Is Mozambique Creating the Next Boko Haram?
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.
Sep 3, 2019
Commentary
How to Defeat a New Boko Haram in Mali
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.
Sep 8, 2015
Multimedia
How Accurate Is TV's Portrayal of Terrorism?
Acclaimed television writer, producer, and author Howard Gordon joins 30-year CIA veteran and RAND senior policy analyst Andrew Liepman for a discussion about the allure of terrorism as a subject for entertainment in this Events @ RAND podcast.
May 6, 2015
Commentary
The Allure of ISIS for Young Recruits
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.
Mar 20, 2015
Commentary
Tackling Radicalization Before It Begins
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.
Feb 23, 2015
Testimony
The Growing Strategic Threat of Radical Islamist Ideology
The threat posed by ISIS is expanding through the Middle East, North Africa, and other areas of the world. While that threat is portrayed as terrorism, a greater danger is ideology tied to extremism and violence.
Feb 12, 2015
News Release
New Book About 'Eurojihad' Explores Evolution of Radical Networks Threatening Europe, U.S.
Europe is central to Islamist terror organizations and the sources of radicalization of these individuals go far deeper than the current situation in Iraq and Syria. European governments are moving beyond policing and security measures by addressing the factors that encourage and facilitate radicalization and recruitment — approaches that might also be of value to the United States.
Jan 14, 2015
Commercial Book
New Book About 'Eurojihad' Explores Evolution of Radical Networks Threatening Europe, U.S.
Europe is central to Islamist terror organizations and the sources of radicalization of these individuals go far deeper than the current situation in Iraq and Syria. European governments are moving beyond policing and security measures by addressing the factors that encourage and facilitate radicalization and recruitment — approaches that might also be of value to the United States.
Jan 14, 2015
Commentary
What's Next for the Muslim Brotherhood?
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.
Aug 26, 2013
Commentary
What Bangladesh — and US Retailers — Must Do to Prevent Man-Made Tragedies
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.
May 17, 2013
Commentary
Searching for Clues on the Brothers Tsarnaev
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.
May 6, 2013
Report
Voting Patterns in Post-Mubarak Egypt
An analysis of regional voting trends in Egypt—where Islamist parties run strongest, and where non-Islamists are most competitive—indicates that Egypt is headed toward a much more competitive political environment in which Islamists will be increasingly challenged to maintain their electoral edge.
Mar 22, 2013
Commentary
Is Asia's Forgotten Revolt About to Explode?
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.
Feb 25, 2013
Report
U.S. Muslims Are Powerful Force in Online Battle Against al Qaeda
Al Qaeda has long used the internet to attract recruits but with minimal success in the U.S., however, as most American Muslims hold no sympathy for al Qaeda and are actually an effective counterforce to online jihadist efforts.
Feb 4, 2013
Commentary
The Winners and Losers from the Syria Conflict
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.
Jan 31, 2013
Commentary
Generations of Terrorism
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.
Dec 13, 2012
Commentary
Difficult Questions on Today's Terrorist Threat
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.
Oct 22, 2012

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RAND Topic:
Religious Fundamentalism

Topic Synonyms:
Fundamentalism

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