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Terrorism in the West: an Age of Extremes”

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Terrorism in the West: an Age of Extremes” TerrorismTerrorism inin TheThe WesT:WesT: AnAn AgeAge oFoF exTremesexTremes BY TOM WILSON Published in 2018 by The Henry Jackson Society The Henry Jackson Society Millbank Tower 21-24 Millbank London SW1P 4QP Registered charity no. 1140489 Tel: +44 (0)20 7340 4520 www.henryjacksonsociety.org © The Henry Jackson Society, 2018. All rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and are not necessarily indicative of those of The Henry Jackson Society or its Trustees. Title: “TERRORISM IN THE WEST: AN AGE OF EXTREMES” ISBN: 978-1-909035-48-5 £49.50 where sold Cover images (from top to bottom): Armed police at Manchester Arena after reports of an explosion at the venue during an Ariana Grande concert on 22 May 2017 (Picture by: Peter Byrne/PA Archive/PA Images), 31 October 2017 – NYPD and other law enforcement at the scene where the van was halted at the Manhattan terro r attack in New York. The driver in the Manhattan attack that killed eight people had been planning for weeks and appeared to have ties to terror suspects, officials said. (Credit Image: © Bryan Smith via ZUMA Wire); and Neo Nazis, Alt-Right, and White Supremacists encircle counter protestors at the base of a statue of Thomas Jefferson after marching through the University of Virginia campus with torches in Charlottesville, Va., USA, on 11 August 2017 (Photo by Shay Horse/NurPhoto). Terrorism in The WesT: An Age oF exTremes BY TOM WILSON October 2018 TERRORISM IN THE WEST: AN AGE OF EXTREMES About the Author Tom Wilson is a Research Fellow in the Centre on Radicalisation and Terrorism at the Henry Jackson Society. Tom specialises in the study of extremist groups and counter-terrorism strategy. His research has focused on the growth of extremism in the UK as well as terrorist organisations in the Middle East. He regularly appears on broadcast media including the BBC, Sky and CNN, offering his analysis on issues of extremism and terrorism. He has been published in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, the Telegraph, the Spectator and Standpoint among others. Acknowledgements The author would like to give special thanks to Katie Parrett for all of the time, expertise and guidance she contributed to this project. With gratitude for research assistance from; Benjamin Rudolf, Genevieve Hull, Ilinca Bogaciov, Jacob Kishere, Julian James, Katarzyna Pogorzelska, Mirko Giordani, Naman Habtom, Nora O’Connor, Ross Paton, Talia Jessener, Tom Furse and Virginia Sanchez-Herrero. About The henry Jackson society The henry Jackson society is a think-tank and policy-shaping force that fights for the principles and alliances which keep societies free, working across borders and party lines to combat extremism, advance democracy and real human rights, and make a stand in an increasingly uncertain world. About the Centre on radicalisation and Terrorism The Centre on radicalisation & Terrorism (CrT) is unique in addressing violent and non-violent extremism. By coupling high-quality, in-depth research with targeted and impactful policy recommendations, we aim to combat the threat of radicalisation and terrorism in our society. 2 TERRORISM IN THE WEST: AN AGE OF EXTREMES “Terrorism in the West is a comprehensive and useful survey of terrorist attacks in Western democracies during 2017, combining granular descriptions of individual attacks with overall mapping of trends. A rigorous and readable record of terrorist acts that is essential for serious students and security policy makers.” michael Chertoff Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (2005 to 2009) ‘An important piece of analysis that correctly highlights the disturbing rise of extreme right and extreme left wing terrorism in Western countries in recent years alongside the existing challenge of Islamist terrorism. This report will undoubtedly assist policy makers to understand the extent of the challenge of extremism and terrorism and help the intelligence agencies and counter-terrorism police to shape their operational responses’. richard Walton Former Head of SO15 (2011-2016) “This interesting study illustrates that in 2017 Islamist terrorism remained a significant threat to Western democracies and that Far Right extremism – with associated violence – was on the rise. The ideological mix was therefore becoming more complex to counter, and preventing attacks more challenging for security services and police. It seems likely that the terrorist and extremist threat will continue to evolve.” The rt. hon. The Baroness neville-Jones DCmg PC Chairman of the British Joint Intelligence Committee (1993-4) Minister of State for Security and Counter Terrorism (2010-11) “This report is an enormously valuable resource that both comprehensively documents the major terror attacks that took place across the world and skilfully draws out the often overlapping factors which influence those who carry them out. Policy makers and the public will find the data compiled here and the underpinning analysis sobering and very helpful in helping understand the diverse and growing threats from those who would use violent terror to disrupt our way of life.” John Woodcock mP Member, Home Affairs Select Committee “This is an inte resting and useful compendium of the terrorist attacks perpetrated in the West during the past two years. Sadly, the UK suffered more attacks than any other Western country during 2017 - an important reminder of the need to resource our police and security agencies adequately to respond to the threat and also to ensure that they have the appropriate powers to act where they need to. It is also signific ant that in the West as a whole, whilst the greatest share of attacks continues to be carried out by Islamist extremists, there is a sharp rise in the number of domestic extremist attacks from the Far Right but also the Far Left.” Lord Toby harris of haringey Reviewer, Independent Review of London’s Preparedness to deal with a Major Terrorist Attack Member, National Security Strategy (Joint Committee) 3 TERRORISM IN THE WEST: AN AGE OF EXTREMES Contents About the Author.................................................................................................................. 2 Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................. 2 executive summary............................................................................................. 7 Attacks ................................................................................................................................ 7 Assailants.......................................................................................................................... 10 introduction ........................................................................................................ 12 methodology and Definitions........................................................................... 14 Defining Terrorism......................................................................................................... 14 Geographic Remit.......................................................................................................... 16 Ideology ............................................................................................................................ 16 Hate Crime........................................................................................................................ 18 Determining Assailant Identity and Motive ......................................................... 18 Mental Health .................................................................................................................. 19 Data Collection.............................................................................................................. 20 Profile structure.............................................................................................................. 21 Attacks in 2017................................................................................................... 25 1. Florence Bookshop Bombing ................................................................ 26 2. gothenburg migrant Centre Bombing .................................................. 27 3. January PAsoK office shooting ........................................................... 30 4. January Belfast Foiled roadside Bomb ............................................... 32 5. north Belfast Petrol station shooting.................................................. 33 6. gothenburg migrant Camp Attempted Bombing ............................... 35 7. Quebec mosque Attack........................................................................... 36 8. Denver Union station shooting ............................................................. 38 9. Louvre machete Attack .......................................................................... 40 10. Londonderry Car Bombing................................................................... 42 11. Athens Police station explosive .......................................................... 43 12. Athens Bookstore Bombing ................................................................. 45 13. german Finance ministry Foiled Letter Bomb................................... 46 14. international monetary Fund Letter Bomb ........................................ 48 15 . orly Airport Attack................................................................................ 49 16. Athens Attempted Letter Bombings...................................................
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