President Trump recent call on the European Allies "to take back over 800 ISIS fighters that we [the US] captured in Syria and put them on trial," rejuvenated the debate on how Western nations should address the problem of returning foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs). Even if concerned states would agree to repatriate their nationals, this would still only amount to finding solution to one part of the equation or "output" (symbolised by returning FTFs) and not the "input" - motivations and patterns behind their decisions to join global jihad while living in Europe.

For the last 18 months GLOBSEC has been researching the issue of criminal-terrorist interconnections in Europe and built up a database which includes 350 terrorist attackers and arrestees from 11 countries. Currently, in co-operation with Counter Extremism Project (CEP), it is turning its attention towards the aforementioned "input," i.e. pathways and patterns of individual jihadists towards their terrorism involvement, and seeks to map out how Europeans join global jihad. Where do the future jihadists come from, where do they live, what are their backgrounds, who influences them on their paths to radicalisation, how rapid is this process, to what extent is it "European" or homegrown, is it about redemption or revenge? - these are just some of the questions we answer in our presentation, a thematic analysis of the "why" and "how" more than 300 Europeans decided to join global jihad. Identifying pathways and patterns of radicalization and terrorist careers will serve as a first step to design sustainable prevention strategies to ensure that these are based on a sound and detailed understanding of the mechanisms at work and therefore effectively address the risks that global terrorism and homegrown radicalism poses to democratic societies.

Speakers:

Alena Kudzko, Deputy Director of Research, GLOBSEC

Dr. Kacper Rekawek, Head of National Security Programme, GLOBSEC

Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler, Senior Director, Counter Extremism Project

The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) is a not-for-profit, non-partisan, international policy organization formed to combat the growing threat from extremist ideologies. Led by a renowned group of former world leaders and diplomats it combats extremism by pressuring financial and material support networks; countering the narrative of extremists and their online recruitment; and advocating for smart laws, policies, and regulations.

Extremists are spreading their ideology and recruiting support across the globe, posing a complex and urgent challenge that cannot be addressed by government alone. There is a responsibility for private groups and individuals to organize in opposition to extremists.

To this end, CEP is:

• Assembling an extensive research and analysis database on extremist groups and their networks of support, providing an indispensable resource to governments, the media, NGOs and civil society organizations, and the general public;
• Exposing channels of financial and material support to extremist groups;
• Using the latest communications, social media, and technological tools to identify and reveal the extremist threat and directly counter extremist ideology and recruitment online; and
• Assisting policymakers around the world to devise legislation and regulations that effectively combat extremism.

GLOBSEC is a global think-tank committed to enhancing security, prosperity and sustainability in Europe and throughout the world. We believe we can change the world by putting together the right stakeholders at the right time for a free exchange of ideas. GLOBSEC’s research ranges from areas of traditional defence and security along with cyber security through strategic communication and hyber threats, to challenges concerning the future of Europe or its neighbourhood policies.

The National Security programme:

• is currently studying links between criminanity and terrorism amongst European terrorists.
• disseminates project findings at GLOBSEC Strategic Forums and other internationally acclaimed gatherings that attract decision-makers, experts, private sector, and law-enforcement representatives to incorporate their expert level feedback into our work.
• launched GLOBSEC Intelligence Reform Initiative (GIRI), which is led by former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, and is involved in developing and promoting more effective transatlantic counterterrorism solutions.