Monthly Threatupdate

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Monthly Threatupdate French teacher beheaded Paris vehicular impact attempt Nice bladed weapon attack Head of MI5 makes Plot to kidnap Michigan Pool Re SOLUTIONS in targeted attack governor foiled Understanding Risk Knife attack in Dresden Security guard stabbed first public address at French Consulate in Interesting reads Saudi Arabia Critical: Severe: Substantial: Moderate: Low: Threat an attack is an attack is an attack is likely an attack is an attack is overview highly likely in highly likely possible but highly unlikely the near future not likely Threat from terrorism to the UK: Threat from Northern Ireland related terrorism to Northern Ireland: Threat Overview October witnessed a noticeable increase in the frequency of Islamist attacks in Europe. In France, a spate of attacks related to the ongoing controversy around the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed led the French Interior Ministry to raise the national security alert system to its highest level. In Germany, an attack on tourists signalled that the threat from Islamist extremism persists regardless of any exacerbating national controversies. In his first public address, the new head of MI5 reiterated this, identifying Islamist extremism as the primary terror threat facing the UK. While the frequency of recent attacks in France likely reflects a specific national dynamic, the heightened Monthly Threat Update threat landscape across the continent likely represents a return to normalcy after COVID-19-related October 2020 restrictions disrupted attack plans and restricted the ability of terrorists to target the public. A return to strict ‘lockdown’ measures in response to rising COVID-19 cases would likely see a similar dynamic play out in coming months. French teacher beheaded Paris vehicular impact attempt Nice bladed weapon attack Head of MI5 makes Plot to kidnap Michigan Pool Re SOLUTIONS governor foiled Understanding Risk in targeted attack Knife attack in Dresden Security guard stabbed first public address at French Consulate in Interesting reads Saudi Arabia Synagogue shooting. French teacher beheaded in Following Paty’s murder, President targeted attack Macron said France would not ‘renounce the caricatures’ On 16 October, 18-year-old and the school’s address on social and defended the right publish Chechen refugee Aboulakh media. He has been arrested, offensive material. The French Anzorov entered the Collège along with 10 others implicated in Interior Ministry announced action Bois-d’Aulne in Conflans-Sainte- the attack. against various non-governmental Honorine, a suburb 30km north- This was the second attack related organisations alleged to have been west of Paris, and beheaded involved in inciting terrorism. teacher Samuel Paty. to the 2015 Charlie Hebdo attack in as many months, following a The response led to backlash Anzorov asked departing stabbing outside the form offices both within France, and abroad, students to point out Paty, before of the satirical magazine on 25 where various religious and secular beheading the teacher. He then September. In contrast to the leaders sympathetic to Islamism posted a picture to Twitter of Paty’s September knife attack, which accused the French government severed head. Responding officers saw random members of the of attacking Islam and called for a confronted Anzorov near the public targeted at a symbolic boycott of French goods. Islamist school, and after a confrontation in location, Paty’s murder was terrorist organisations also called which he discharged an airgun, he redolent of earlier targeted attacks for ‘revenge’ attacks against was shot and killed by police. on individuals who engaged in France. high-profile behaviour antagonist Anzorov targeted Paty specifically, to Islamists. Since Paty’s murder there have as during a civic education class been several other incidents on on freedom of expression earlier in The impact of such targeted French soil or targeting French October, Paty had shown his class attacks is sometimes restricted interests overseas. To a greater a controversial caricature of the to immediate vicinity of the or lesser degree, these are all Prophet Mohammed, published incident. However, they can also likely connected to Paty’s murder in the satirical Charlie Hebdo develop into extensive and violent and the subsequent international magazine. The father of a student manhunts with a much wider area controversy. Further attacks are at Paty’s school is alleged to have impacted, as occurred following French CRS (Compagnies Republicaines de Securite) police officers patrol probable. encourage action against the the 2015 Charlie Hebdo shooting near the entrance of Le Bois d’Aulne middle school in Conflans-Sainte- Honorine, after a teacher was decapitated by an attacker. (Photo by teacher, including sharing his name and 2015 Copenhagen Great Thomas COEX / AFP) (Photo by THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images) French teacher beheaded Paris vehicular impact attempt Nice bladed weapon attack Head of MI5 makes Plot to kidnap Michigan Pool Re SOLUTIONS in targeted attack first public address governor foiled Understanding Risk Knife attack in Dresden Security guard stabbed at French Consulate in Interesting reads Saudi Arabia Paris vehicular Knife attack in Dresden impact attempt On 4 October, a man armed with a knife killed a tourist and On 21 October, police in Paris wounded another in Dresden. arrested seven British citizens of Police did not identify a suspect Pakistani origin for attempting to until 17 October. The suspect in run over a gendarme outside of the Israeli Embassy. The vehicle custody is a 20-year-old Syrian and another car accompanying it man. Prosecutors said the suspect fled the scene. No one was injured holds extreme Islamist beliefs during the attack. and had previously been charged with supporting foreign terrorist The seven Britons have been organisations. charged with attempted murder, and while prosecutors have not Low-complexity Islamist attacks confirmed that they are treating the are not uncommon in Germany. incident as terrorism, the location However, the incident is notable for and modus operandi strongly as the attacker was able to evade suggest the attack it was. police for two weeks before being While Islamist extremist plots in detained. While terrorist conducting Europe often involve multi-national mass casualty attacks do co-conspirators, an entirely sometimes try to escape the scene foreign cell launching attacks in and evade detection, it is more a neighbouring country (if this common for terrorists intent on is indeed the case) is unusual. causing mass casualties to desist There is realistic possibility those only when interdicted by security involved were motivated by the forces. political furore which followed the beheading of Samuel Paty. The attack took place outside the Israeli embassy near the Champs Élysées in central Paris. (Photo: JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images French teacher beheaded Paris vehicular impact attempt Nice bladed weapon attack Head of MI5 makes Plot to kidnap Michigan Pool Re SOLUTIONS in targeted attack governor foiled Understanding Risk Knife attack in Dresden Security guard stabbed first public address at French Consulate in Interesting reads Saudi Arabia Nice bladed Security guard stabbed Head of MI5 makes first at French Consulate in public address weapon attack Saudi Arabia The new Director General of MI5, On 29 October, a man armed with Ken McCallum, gave a speech a knife killed three people outside On 29 October, a security guard at on the current national security of the Roman Catholic basilica the French Consulate in Jeddah, threats facing the UK on 14 Notre-Dame de in the centre Saudi Arabia, was attacked and October. McCallum emphasised of Nice. The attacker partially wounded by a Saudi man armed the threats form hostile states such beheaded one of the victims. The with a knife. The attacker was as China, Iran and Russia, but also attack took place over a 28-minute apprehended by Saudi security underscored that the agency’s period, before police wounded forces. largest mission remains and arrested the attacker, who The attack occurred against countering terrorism. was named as a 21-year-old the backdrop of widespread Tunisan man, Brahim Aouissaui, anger at France in the Muslim who arrived as a migrant in late world following French President September 2020. Macron’s defence of the right to The attack was likely, at least in publish material offensive after the part, inspired to the beheading of murder of Samuel Paty in Paris. Samuel Paty in Paris two weeks Diplomatic outposts are often earlier. Religious sites, both targeted by terrorists who do Ken McCallum, Director General MI5 Christian and Jewish, have been not have the capability to launch frequently targeted by Islamist attacks directly on the targeted McCallum identified right-wing extremists in France. While iconic country. Consequently, Western terrorism as a rising threat, with religious sites like major Cathedrals embassies and consulates eight of the 27 plots foiled in past will have terrorist risk mitigation have strong protective security three years emanating from the measures, there is often very measures which limit the far-right. However, McCallum little protective security at smaller effectiveness of low complexity also said that Islamist extremism churches, making them relatively methodologies like bladed weapon continues to be the largest threat French gendarmes secure the area around the Notre-Dame de by volume, with “tens of thousands soft targets for mass casualty l’Assomption Basilica in Nice after a knife attacker killed three people. or vehicular impact attacks. attacks. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP) (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via of individuals committed to Getty Images) [the] ideology”. French teacher beheaded Paris vehicular impact attempt Nice bladed weapon attack Head of MI5 makes Plot to kidnap Michigan Pool Re SOLUTIONS in targeted attack Understanding Risk Knife attack in Dresden Security guard stabbed first public address governor foiled at French Consulate in Interesting reads Saudi Arabia Interesting reads: New IRA leadership discusses utilising cyber attacks https://www.belfasttelegraph.
Recommended publications
  • PERSPECTIVES on TERRORISM Volume 11, Issue 5
    ISSN 2334-3745 Volume V, Issue 5 October 2017 PERSPECTIVES ON TERRORISM Volume 11, Issue 5 Table of Contents Welcome from the Editors......................................................................................................1 Articles Countering Violent Extremism in Prisons: A Review of Key Recent Research and Critical Research Gaps.........................................................................................................................2 by Andrew Silke and Tinka Veldhuis The New Crusaders: Contemporary Extreme Right Symbolism and Rhetoric..................12 by Ariel Koch Exploring the Continuum of Lethality: Militant Islamists’ Targeting Preferences in Europe....................................................................................................................................24 by Cato Hemmingby Research Notes On and Off the Radar: Tactical and Strategic Responses to Screening Known Potential Terrorist Attackers................................................................................................................41 by Thomas Quiggin Resources Terrorism Bookshelf.............................................................................................................50 Capsule Reviews by Joshua Sinai Bibliography: Terrorist Organizations: Cells, Networks, Affiliations, Splits......................67 Compiled and selected by Judith Tinnes Bibliography: Life Cycles of Terrorism..............................................................................107 Compiled and selected by Judith
    [Show full text]
  • How Sophisticated Are Terrorist Attacks on Passenger Rail Transportation
    How Sophisticated are Terrorist Attacks on Passenger Rail Project SP 0520 Transportation June 2020 Brian Michael Jenkins and Bruce R. Butterworth Executive Summary Summary of Key Findings Terrorist attacks on passenger rail transportation are statistically rare events in the developed world— only about seven attacks per year are carried out against all of the economically advanced countries combined. However, uncovered plots and attempts indicate continuing terrorist interest in attacking transportation targets. The vast majority of terrorist attacks on passenger rail transportation are aimed at disrupting travel or causing casualties. Most of the attacks (87%) and 100% of the casualties result from attacks on passengers aboard trains and in stations, i.e., where the people are. We have defined sophistication by identifying four criteria, of which at least one must be met: The attack must (1) involve the recruitment of inside assistance, the use of insider knowledge, or the acquisition of specialized skills through training; (2) require the penetration of manned or closely monitored security systems; (3) involve the use of sophisticated weapons, devices, or means (for an IED to be considered sophisticated, it must do more than simply explode—it must have a timing or remote detonating system that guarantees detonation at a remote time or in a specific location, or it must be miniaturized or disguised so as to evade detection); and (4) must be complex—it must involve multiple actors with individual roles or coordinated simultaneous or near-simultaneous attacks at different locations. Using those criteria, we find few of the terrorist attacks on public surface transport are sophisticated.
    [Show full text]
  • The Jihadi Threat: ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Beyond
    THE JIHADI THREAT ISIS, AL QAEDA, AND BEYOND The Jihadi Threat ISIS, al- Qaeda, and Beyond Robin Wright William McCants United States Institute of Peace Brookings Institution Woodrow Wilson Center Garrett Nada J. M. Berger United States Institute of Peace International Centre for Counter- Terrorism Jacob Olidort The Hague Washington Institute for Near East Policy William Braniff Alexander Thurston START Consortium, University of Mary land Georgetown University Cole Bunzel Clinton Watts Prince ton University Foreign Policy Research Institute Daniel Byman Frederic Wehrey Brookings Institution and Georgetown University Car ne gie Endowment for International Peace Jennifer Cafarella Craig Whiteside Institute for the Study of War Naval War College Harleen Gambhir Graeme Wood Institute for the Study of War Yale University Daveed Gartenstein- Ross Aaron Y. Zelin Foundation for the Defense of Democracies Washington Institute for Near East Policy Hassan Hassan Katherine Zimmerman Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy American Enterprise Institute Charles Lister Middle East Institute Making Peace Possible December 2016/January 2017 CONTENTS Source: Image by Peter Hermes Furian, www . iStockphoto. com. The West failed to predict the emergence of al- Qaeda in new forms across the Middle East and North Africa. It was blindsided by the ISIS sweep across Syria and Iraq, which at least temporarily changed the map of the Middle East. Both movements have skillfully continued to evolve and proliferate— and surprise. What’s next? Twenty experts from think tanks and universities across the United States explore the world’s deadliest movements, their strate- gies, the future scenarios, and policy considerations. This report reflects their analy sis and diverse views.
    [Show full text]
  • From Criminals to Terrorists and Back?
    FROM CRIMINALS TO TERRORISTS AND BACK? KICK-OFF REPORT www.globsec.org AUTHORS Kacper Rekawek, Head of Defence and Security Programme, GLOBSEC Policy Institute Stanislav Matejka, Junior Research Fellow, Defence and Security Programme, GLOBSEC Policy Institute Martina Babikova, GLOBSEC Policy Institute Tomas Nagy, Research Fellow, Defence and Security Programme, GLOBSEC Policy Institute Jakub Rafay, GLOBSEC Policy Institute Design by Peter Verček, GLOBSEC The following distinguished partners were consulted in the process of preparation of this report. The sole responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the authors. • Austria - Daniela Pisoiu • Bulgaria - Rositsa Dzhekova, Nadya Stoynova • France - Olivier de France, Damien Saverot, Pierre Colomina • Germany - Matenia Sirseloudi • Greece - Eleni Fotou • Ireland - Orla Lynch • Italy - Marco Lombardi, Giovanni Giacalone, Nicolò Spagna • Netherlands - Jessica Sciarone, Bart Schuurman • Spain - Fernando Reinares, Carola García Calvo, Álvaro Vicente • United Kingdom - John Morrison, Aleksandra Łojek The project is funded under PMI IMPACT, a global grant initiative of Philip Morris International to support projects against illegal trade. GLOBSEC is fully independent in implementing the project and has editorial responsibility for all views and opinions expressed herein. CONTENTS PROJECT SUMMARY 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 7 FROM CRIMINALS TO TERRORISTS AND BACK? 10 INTRODUCING CRIME-TERROR NEXUS 10 RESEARCHING THE CRIME-TERROR NEXUS: CHALLENGES 12 RESEARCHING THE NEXUS: WHAT IS NEXT?
    [Show full text]
  • Jihadist Attacks on Critical Infrastructure
    DOI: 10.38146/BSZ.SPEC.2020.1.7 Bianka Speidl – Hanga Horváth-Sántha Jihadist attacks on Critical Infrastructure Abstract Besides its function to maintain the social and economic well-being of a nation, operating critical infrastructure serves as a proof of the ability of the state to provide protection to its citizens. Hence, a successful terrorist attack targeting critical infrastructure - in addition to generating fear and panic in the ranks of society undermines the operational character of the state. In recent years, several terrorist incidents in Europe have highlighted the vulnerability of crit- ical infrastructure and, consequently, the importance of protecting it. Bearing this in mind, the protection of critical infrastructure has become a high prior- ity for Western states, in parallel with the growing trend of risks, challenges and threats posed by international terrorism. Recently Europe has seen an in- crease in terrorist attacks against members of law enforcement as well as the armed forces. This paper argues that such attacks should also be considered as attacks on critical infrastructure, as it is ultimately the human resources be- ing responsible for the well-functioning of those agencies. Further, the paper aims to examine the religious justification of Jihadist terrorist attacks against critical infrastructure. Keywords: Critical infrastructure, terrorist attack, Salafi-Jihadism, al-Qā‛ida, Islamic State Introduction Greatly simplified, critical infrastructure can be defined as all those infrastruc- tures our society depends on in daily life, including transport, energy, informa- tion technology and many other sectors. Critical infrastructure has made life of the citizens in a modern state much more simple compared to previous dec- Belügyi Szemle / 2020 / Special Issue 1.
    [Show full text]
  • April 11, 2021 Under Attack: Terrorism and International Trade in France
    April 11, 2021 Under Attack: Terrorism and International Trade in France, 2014-16* Volker Nitsch Isabelle Rabaud Technische Universität Darmstadt Université d’Orléans, LEO, Abstract Terrorist events typically vary along many dimensions, making it difficult to identify their economic effects. This paper analyzes the impact of terrorism on international trade by examining a series of three large-scale terrorist incidents in France over the period from January 2015 to July 2016. Using firm-level data at monthly frequency, we document an immediate and lasting decline in cross-border trade after a mass terrorist attack. According to our estimates, France’s trade in goods, which accounts for about 70 percent of the country’s trade in goods and services, is reduced by more than 6 billion euros in the first six months after an attack. The reduction in trade mainly takes place along the intensive margin, with particularly strong effects for partner countries with low border barriers to France, for firms with less frequent trade activities and for homogeneous products. A possible explanation for these patterns is an increase in trade costs due to stricter security measures. JEL Classification Codes: F14; F52 Keywords: shock; insecurity; uncertainty; terrorism; international trade; France * We thank Béatrice Boulu-Reshef, Stefan Goldbach, Jérôme Héricourt, Laura Hering, Christophe Hurlin, Miren Lafourcade, Laura Lebastard, Daniel Mirza, Serge Pajak, Felipe Starosta de Waldemar, Patrick Villieu, three anonymous referees, and participants at presentations in Bern (European Trade Study Group), Darmstadt, Köln (Verein für Socialpolitik), Orléans (Association Française de Science Economique), Paris (Université Paris-Saclay, RITM, and Université Paris-Est, ERUDITE), and Poitiers for helpful comments.
    [Show full text]
  • Maia Sandu's Surprising Presidential Election
    EUR PE Diplomatic magazine ISLAND OF DREAMS China’s lust for Taiwan in a continuing East- West power struggle IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL ON THE BRINK The ongoing European dilemma THE GOLDEN FISH 2020 SURFACES IN MOLDOVA December Maia Sandu’s surprising presidential election win E 3 BRUSSELS - PARIS - GENEVA - MONACO EUROPEDIPLOMATIC IN THIS ISSUE n Aprés moi, la Déliquescence? Where is Emmanuel Macron heading (and what follows after)? ..............................p.5 n European Space Agency Swiss start-up ClearSpace to launch 5 the first active debris removal mission ......................................................................................................................p.12 n The Golden Fish surfaces in Moldova Maia Sandu’s surprising election win ............................................................................................................................. p.16 n Island of Dreams 16 China’s lust for Taiwan in a continuing East-West power struggle .....................p.23 n Iran nuclear deal on the brink The ongoing European dilemma ........................................................................................................................................p. 30 n News in brief ............................................................................................................................................................................................................p. 36 30 n Into the unknown, alone Labour migration and the children left on their own ..................................................................p.40
    [Show full text]
  • 9/11 Report”), July 2, 2004, Pp
    Final FM.1pp 7/17/04 5:25 PM Page i THE 9/11 COMMISSION REPORT Final FM.1pp 7/17/04 5:25 PM Page v CONTENTS List of Illustrations and Tables ix Member List xi Staff List xiii–xiv Preface xv 1. “WE HAVE SOME PLANES” 1 1.1 Inside the Four Flights 1 1.2 Improvising a Homeland Defense 14 1.3 National Crisis Management 35 2. THE FOUNDATION OF THE NEW TERRORISM 47 2.1 A Declaration of War 47 2.2 Bin Ladin’s Appeal in the Islamic World 48 2.3 The Rise of Bin Ladin and al Qaeda (1988–1992) 55 2.4 Building an Organization, Declaring War on the United States (1992–1996) 59 2.5 Al Qaeda’s Renewal in Afghanistan (1996–1998) 63 3. COUNTERTERRORISM EVOLVES 71 3.1 From the Old Terrorism to the New: The First World Trade Center Bombing 71 3.2 Adaptation—and Nonadaptation— ...in the Law Enforcement Community 73 3.3 . and in the Federal Aviation Administration 82 3.4 . and in the Intelligence Community 86 v Final FM.1pp 7/17/04 5:25 PM Page vi 3.5 . and in the State Department and the Defense Department 93 3.6 . and in the White House 98 3.7 . and in the Congress 102 4. RESPONSES TO AL QAEDA’S INITIAL ASSAULTS 108 4.1 Before the Bombings in Kenya and Tanzania 108 4.2 Crisis:August 1998 115 4.3 Diplomacy 121 4.4 Covert Action 126 4.5 Searching for Fresh Options 134 5.
    [Show full text]
  • NCH Annual Report 2008
    Network of Concerned Historians NCH Annual Report 2021 http://www.concernedhistorians.org INTRODUCTION This twenty-seventh Annual Report of the Network of Concerned Historians (NCH) contains news about the domain where history and human rights intersect, in particular about the censorship of history and the persecution of historians, archivists, and archaeologists around the globe, as reported by various human rights organizations and other sources. It mainly covers events and developments of 2020 and 2021. Disclaimer. The fact that the NCH presents this news does not imply that it shares the views and beliefs of the historians and others mentioned in it. Download this report at: http://www.concernedhistorians.org/ar/21.pdf Cite this report as: Network of Concerned Historians, Annual Report 2021 (http://www.concernedhistorians.org/ar/21.pdf). For the complete set of NCH Annual Reports, see: http://www.concernedhistorians.org/content/ar.html Or click: 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 This year’s report was compiled and edited by Antoon De Baets and Ruben Zeeman. Previous Annual Reports (1995–2020) were compiled by Antoon De Baets. Please send any comments to [email protected]. Network of Concerned Historians, Annual Report 2021 (July 2021) 2 ____________________________________________________________ AFGHANISTAN Previous Annual Report entries: 2000–2016, 2018. In January 2021, Akal, a publisher in Madrid, issued the book Afganistán, Una república del silencio: Recuerdos de un estudiante afgano (Afghanistan, a republic of silence: memories of an Afghan student), written by A.K.
    [Show full text]
  • Announcement
    Network of Concerned Historians NCH Campaigns Year Year Circular Country Name original follow- up 2020 98 France Political murder of Samuel Paty Announcement The murder of history and geography teacher Samuel Paty has shocked everyone in the historical profession. EuroClio, the European Association of History Educators, has issued a statement, which you can read : • at the EuroClio website • in pdf-format here and here • or below this message where it is preceded by a NCH summary of the case. 2020 is a dark year because over the last eight months four historians and one singer of historical songs have become victims of political murder (or comparable death): • On 2 April 2020, historian Sergei Koltyrin (1953–2020) died in a prison hospital because of untreated cancer in Russia; the family was not allowed to attend his funeral. • On 29 June 2020, Hachalu Hundessa (1986–2020), an Oromo musician known for his songs inspired by Ethiopian history, was shot dead in Ethiopia. • On 6 July 2020, Hisham al-Hashimi (1973–2020), a historian and leading expert on terrorist groups and extremist militias, was shot dead in Iraq. • Between 27 and 30 September 2020, Campo Elías Galindo Álvarez (1951–2020), a retired historian and left-wing political activist, was killed with a knife in Colombia. • On 16 October 2020, Samuel Paty (1973–2020), a history and geography teacher, was beheaded in France. The NCH Annual Report 2020 describes the Koltyrin, Hundessa and al-Hashimi cases. The NCH Annual Report 2021, to appear in the summer of 2021, will contain summaries of the Galindo and Paty cases.
    [Show full text]
  • France Has a Problem with Islamism
    Nr. 423 / January 2021 Facts & Findings France has a problem with Islamism Marie-Christine Roux › The current discussion on France’s “problem with systematic failure to properly address the issues that Islamism” fails to consider the advancing polarization emerged as long-term consequences of the demo- of the larger societal context, as well as its facilitating graphic changes accompanying the 1960s–1970s effects on the radicalization of individuals and groups. immigration waves. › This polarized context not only complicates an › These interactions not only produce the dominant appeased reflection and critical discussion on how narrative framework, in which current debates about to tackle France’s problem with Islamism, but further national identity, integration and the place of religion feeds potential escalation dynamics. in a secular society are still articulate, but also enable the radicalization of the larger societal context. The › The polarization of the French society is the result of later benefitting the emergence of new agitprop-type the sustained interactions between two diametrically movements. opposed and exclusionary identity conceptions and narratives (an ethno-nationalist identity opposed to an Islamic identity), which emerged from France’s www.kas.de Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V. Nr. 423 2 Facts & Findings January 2021 Table of Contents The late perception of a new French reality as an opportunity structure for Islamist entrepreneurs 3 The polarization of identity narratives and the radicalization of the fringes 4 Conclusions 5 Imprint 7 On October 16th 2020, Samuel Paty, a teacher in the Parisian suburb of Conflans-Sainte- Honorine, was beheaded by an assumed Islamist terrorist. Two weeks prior to his murder and in the context of a discussion on the freedom of expression in class, Paty had shown satirical drawings of Prophet Mohammad.
    [Show full text]
  • MAY 2018 Part C.Pdf
    Page | 1 CBRNE-TERRORISM NEWSLETTER – May 2018 www.cbrne-terrorism-newsletter.com Page | 2 CBRNE-TERRORISM NEWSLETTER – May 2018 www.cbrne-terrorism-newsletter.com Page | 3 CBRNE-TERRORISM NEWSLETTER – May 2018 Weaponizing Artificial Intelligence: The Scary Prospect Of AI- Enabled Terrorism By Bernard Marr Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2018/04/23/weaponizing-artificial-intelligence-the- scary-prospect-of-ai-enabled-terrorism/#7c68133877b6 There has been much speculation about the power and dangers of artificial intelligence (AI), but it’s been primarily focused on what AI will do to our jobs in the very near future. Now, there’s discussion among tech leaders, governments and journalists about how artificial intelligence is making lethal autonomous weapons systems possible and what could transpire if this technology falls into the hands of a rogue state or terrorist organization. Debates on the moral and legal implications of autonomous weapons have begun and there are no easy answers. Autonomous weapons already developed The United Nations recently discussed the use of autonomous weapons and the possibility to institute an international ban on “killer robots.” This debate comes on the heels of more than 100 leaders from the artificial intelligence community, including Tesla’s Elon Musk and Alphabet’s Mustafa Suleyman, warning that these weapons could lead to a “third revolution in warfare.” Although artificial intelligence has enabled improvements and efficiencies in many sectors of our economy from entertainment to transportation to healthcare, when it comes to weaponized machines being able to function without intervention from humans, a lot of questions are raised. There are already a number of weapons systems with varying levels of human involvement that are actively being tested today.
    [Show full text]