Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism 410 COUNTERING TERRORISM and VIOLENT EXTREMISM
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Volume | 410 Justin Healey Edited by and Violent Extremism Countering Terrorism VOLUME 410 COUNTERING TERRORISM AND VIOLENT EXTREMISM ISSUES IN SOCIETY Volume | Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism 410 Edited by Justin Healey This e-book is subject to the terms and conditions of a non-exclusive and non-transferable SITE LICENCE AGREEMENT between THE SPINNEY PRESS and: Queenwood School for Girls, Mosman, [email protected] First published by PO Box 438 Thirroul NSW 2515 Australia www.spinneypress.com.au © The Spinney Press 2017. COPYRIGHT All rights reserved. Other than for purposes of and subject to the conditions prescribed under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 and subsequent amendments, no part of this publication may in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, microcopying, photocopying, recording or otherwise) be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted without prior permission. Inquiries should be directed to the publisher. REPRODUCTION AND COMMUNICATION FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES The Australian Copyright Act 1968 (the Act) allows a maximum of one chapter or 10% of the pages of this work, whichever is the greater, to be reproduced and/or communicated by any educational institution for its educational purposes provided that the educational institution (or the body that administers it) has given a remuneration notice to Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) under the Act. For details of the CAL licence for educational institutions contact: Copyright Agency Limited, Level 15, 233 Castlereagh Street Sydney NSW 2000 Telephone: (02) 9394 7600 Fax: (02) 9394 7601 Email: [email protected] REPRODUCTION AND COMMUNICATION FOR OTHER PURPOSES Except as permitted under the Act (for example a fair dealing for the purposes of study, research, criticism or review) no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, communicated or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission. All inquiries should be made to the publisher at the address above. National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry Title: Countering terrorism and violent extremism / Justin Healey (editor). ISBN: 9781925339215 (ebook) Series: Issues in society (Balmain, N.S.W.) ; v. 410. Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index. Subjects: Terrorism--Australia--Prevention. Radicalism--Australia--Prevention. National security--Australia. Terrorism--Law and legislation--Australia. Other Creators/Contributors: Healey, Justin, editor. Dewey Number: 363.3250994 Cover images: Courtesy of iStock. This e-book is subject to the terms and conditions of a non-exclusive and non-transferable SITE LICENCE AGREEMENT between THE SPINNEY PRESS and: Queenwood School for Girls, Mosman, [email protected] CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 THE THREAT OF TERRORISM AND VIOLENT EXTREMISM Global Terrorism Index 1 Terrorist threat worldwide 5 Listed terrorist organisations 9 National Terrorism Threat Advisory System 10 National terrorism threat levels 11 Security and your community: frequently asked questions 12 Australians have little to fear from terrorism at home – here’s why 14 Australians want tougher action against terrorism 15 CHAPTER 2 COUNTER-TERRORISM LAWS AND STRATEGIES Australia’s Counter-Terrorism Strategy: strengthening our resilience 16 National security: what Australia is doing 17 Countering violent extremism 18 What Australia is doing: current initiatives 19 National security agencies 20 Australian national security: what I can do 21 Australia’s counter-terrorism laws: questions and answers 23 Foreign incursions and recruitment offences 26 Fact sheet: counter-terrorism laws 27 Australia’s human rights score card: counter-terrorism 28 Citizenship in an age of home-grown terrorism 30 Sorting fact from fiction in the citizenship bill debate 32 CHAPTER 3 COUNTERING EXTREMISM AND RADICALISATION What is violent extremism? 34 What is radicalisation? 35 Why are young Australians being drawn to Islamic State? 36 Radicalisation and the lone wolf: what we do and don’t know 39 Understanding the radicalisation process 41 I am worried somebody I know is radicalising ... what can I do? 43 Tough is not enough: ten smarter ways to counter violent extremism 45 Gen Y jihadists: preventing radicalisation in Australia 48 Exploring issues – worksheets and activities 53 Fast facts 57 Glossary 58 Web links 59 Index 60 This e-book is subject to the terms and conditions of a non-exclusive and non-transferable SITE LICENCE AGREEMENT between THE SPINNEY PRESS and: Queenwood School for Girls, Mosman, [email protected] INTRODUCTION Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism is Volume 410 in the ‘Issues in Society’ series of educational resource books. The aim of this series is to offer current, diverse information about important issues in our world, from an Australian perspective. KEY ISSUES IN THIS TOPIC Acts of terror and expressions of violent extremism are a confronting reality around the globe, and an ongoing threat in this country. Australians must remain vigilant against the spread of terror and extremism by supporters of Islamic State and other ideologically violent groups. How should Australia deal with the terrorist threat without unfairly targeting Muslim communities or infringing upon fundamental human rights? Why are some young Australians being drawn to radical Islamism? The factors that result in radicalisation are complex and varied – are there smarter ways to counter violent extremism? This book focuses on the threat of terrorism and violent extremism in Australia and abroad; examines national security strategies and counter-terrorism laws in Australia; and explores ways of effectively countering extremism and radicalisation. How do we turn back the tide of fear in an age of increasing terror? SOURCES OF INFORMATION Titles in the ‘Issues in Society’ series are individual resource books which provide an overview on a specific subject comprised of facts and opinions. The information in this resource book is not from any single author, publication or organisation. The unique value of the ‘Issues in Society’ series lies in its diversity of content and perspectives. The content comes from a wide variety of sources and includes: h Newspaper reports and opinion pieces h Statistics and surveys h Website fact sheets h Government reports h Magazine and journal articles h Literature from special interest groups CRITICAL EVALUATION As the information reproduced in this book is from a number of different sources, readers should always be aware of the origin of the text and whether or not the source is likely to be expressing a particular bias or agenda. It is hoped that, as you read about the many aspects of the issues explored in this book, you will critically evaluate the information presented. In some cases, it is important that you decide whether you are being presented with facts or opinions. Does the writer give a biased or an unbiased report? If an opinion is being expressed, do you agree with the writer? EXPLORING ISSUES The ‘Exploring issues’ section at the back of this book features a range of ready-to-use worksheets relating to the articles and issues raised in this book. The activities and exercises in these worksheets are suitable for use by students at middle secondary school level and beyond. FURTHER RESEARCH This title offers a useful starting point for those who need convenient access to information about the issues involved. However, it is only a starting point. The ‘Web links’ section at the back of this book contains a list of useful websites which you can access for more reading on the topic. This e-book is subject to the terms and conditions of a non-exclusive and non-transferable SITE LICENCE AGREEMENT between THE SPINNEY PRESS and: Queenwood School for Girls, Mosman, [email protected] Chapter 1 The threat of terrorism and violent extremism CHAPTER 1 The threat of terrorism and violent extremism GLOBAL TERRORISM INDEX EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FROM THE LATEST ‘GLOBAL TERRORISM INDEX’, PRODUCED BY THE INSTITUTE FOR ECONOMICS AND PEACE his is the fourth edition of the Global Terrorism they were active in to 28. This is largely why a record Index which provides a comprehensive summary number of countries recorded their highest levels of Tof the key global trends and patterns in terrorism terrorism in any year in the past 16 years. over the last 16 years, covering the period from the There was a ten per cent decline from 2014 in the beginning of 2000 to the end of 2015. number of terrorism deaths in 2015 resulting in 3,389 Produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace, fewer people being killed. Iraq and Nigeria together the GTI is based on data from the Global Terrorism recorded 5,556 fewer deaths and 1,030 fewer attacks than Database which is collected and collated by the in 2014. However, with a global total of 29,376 deaths, National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism 2015 was still the second deadliest year on record. and Responses to Terrorism (START), a Department While the weakening of ISIL and Boko Haram in of Homeland Security Centre of Excellence led by their central areas of operations in Iraq and Nigeria is the University of Maryland. The Global Terrorism positive, this change has coincided with two key negative Database is considered to be the most comprehensive trends which have driven up terrorism in the rest of the dataset on terrorist activity globally and has now codified over 150,000 terrorist incidents. The research presented in this report highlights a There was a ten per cent decline from 2014 complex and rapidly changing set of dynamics in global in the number of terrorism deaths in 2015 terrorism. While on the one hand the top-line statis- resulting in 3,389 fewer people being killed tics highlight an improvement in the levels of global ... However, with a global total of 29,376 terrorism, the continued intensification of terrorism deaths, 2015 was still the second deadliest in some countries is a cause for serious concern, and year on record.