Why we are under attack E-Book

Laura Quadarella Sanfelice di Monteforte

• Herausgeber: Aracne Editrice
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017

Beschreibung

The “do-it-yourself” terrorism in an analysis, supported by a rich photographic documentation, ranging from jihadist propaganda to the attacks carried out in the West by homegrown terrorists and foreign fighters-returnees. These youngsters respond to the calls by Al Qaeda and the Islamic State, competing for the leadership in the jihadist galaxy, and attack us, seldom acting in total autonomy. From the study of the attacks and of the material broadcasted on the net, it is possible to understand which attacks are directed and coordinated by jihadist groups, and which are simply inspired by their ideals. It is therefore possible to answer questions as the one giving the name to this book and to speculate on “who, when and where will attack us”, as well as to see first–hand the jihadist propaganda, through hundreds of colour photographs.A study which, in addition to the explanation on the “where, when and how” of terrorism, helps to understand “why”! (Giuseppe Cucchi, General, former Head of DIS – Italian Security Intelligence Department).I highly recommend this book, as it fills an important gap in Western knowledge of jihadism. To know what the adversarial propaganda says is a way to prevent and contain its effects, and this is especially true in the case of DIY terrorism (Ferdinando Sanfelice di Monteforte, Professor of Strategic Studies, former Commander of NATO Naval Forces Southern Europe and anti-terrorism Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR).A clear analysis, based on scientific data and methodology, of a complex phenomenon.A book for everybody, that can be easily read, studied, and that definitely helps us understand why they are attacking us (Fabrizio Luciolli, President of the Atlantic Treaty Association).A central theme of this in-depth analysis is that the West is on the periphery of the conflict, a conflict which is internal to what the author calls ‘the jihadist galaxy’. We are not central to this conflict but are being used by it and for it (Ajit Maan, Ph.D., President of Narrative Strategies).Every law enforcement official, policy maker and ordinary citizen who wants to understand the “why” of terrorism must read this essential, insightful and well researched book (Carlos Vazquez, Ph.D., Senior Consultant in Terrorist Recruitment at the Behavioral Analysis Group).This book deeply explores the vicious cycle of different ideologically driven insurgency groups in the world. A must study!!! (David Otto Endeley, TGS Counter Terrorism & Organised Crime Expert UK/EU/Africa).This essential and up-to-date analysis helps us make sense of the most recent trends in terrorism, like the ‘do-it-yourself’ variety (Paul Cobaugh, Vice-President, Narrative Strategies).More than just a modern Sun Tzu compilation on terrorism, this book offers a comprehensive view on the western homegrown terrorism in all its dimension: cultural, popular and media. A useful overview of the new youngster generation! (Gérald Arboit, Senior Researcher in the French Centre on Intelligence Research).I would strongly recommend this book to get an insight view to part of our new world order (Arne Gerrit Halvorsen, Associate Editor of Defence and Intelligence Norway).

Leseprobe

The “do-it-yourself” terrorism in an analysis, supported by a rich photographic documentation, ranging from jihadist propaganda to the attacks carried out in the West by homegrown terrorists and foreign fighters-returnees. These youngsters respond to the calls by Al Qaeda and the Islamic State, competing for the leadership in the jihadist galaxy, and attack us, seldom acting in total autonomy. From the study of the attacks and of the material broadcasted on the net, it is possible to understand which attacks are directed and coordinated by jihadist groups, and which are simply inspired by their ideals. It is therefore possible to answer questions as the one giving the name to this book and to speculate on “who, when and where will attack us”, as well as to see first-hand the jihadist propaganda, through hundreds of colour photographs.

Laura Quadarella Sanfelice di Monteforte. Professor of Counterterrorism at the University Unicusano of Rome, founder and Director of “Mediterranean Insecurity”, she is a consultant on terrorist issues for radio and TV chains and works at the Italian MFA. She has M.A.s both in Law and International Relations and a Ph.D. in International Law, her specializations are jihadist terrorism, counter-terrorism, Middle East issues, geo-politics, geo-strategy and international crimes. She is the author of Il nuovo terrorismo internazionale come crimine contro l’umanità (2006), Terrorismo “fai da te” – Inspire e la propaganda online di AQAP per i giovani musulmani in Occidente (2013), Due secoli di Stabilizzazione – gli insegnamenti del passato per il peacekeeping del futuro (2015 – with Adm. Ferdinando Sanfelice di Monteforte) and Perché ci attaccano. Al Qaeda, l’Islamic State e il terrorismo “fai da te” (first edition in 2016, second in 2017).

A study which, in addition to the explanation on the “where, when and how” of terrorism, helps to understand “why”! (Giuseppe Cucchi, General, former Head of DIS – Italian Security Intelligence Department).

I highly recommend this book, as it fills an important gap in Western knowledge of jihadism. To know what the adversarial propaganda says is a way to prevent and contain its effects, and this is especially true in the case of DIY terrorism (Ferdinando Sanfelice di Monteforte, Professor of Strategic Studies, former Commander of NATO Naval Forces Southern Europe and anti-terrorism Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR).

A clear analysis, based on scientific data and methodology, of a complex phenomenon.

A book for everybody, that can be easily read, studied, and that definitely helps us understand why they are attacking us (Fabrizio Luciolli, President of the Atlantic Treaty Association).

A central theme of this in-depth analysis is that the West is on the periphery of the conflict, a conflict which is internal to what the author calls ‘the jihadist galaxy’. We are not central to this conflict but are being used by it and for it (Ajit Maan, Ph.D., President of Narrative Strategies).

Every law enforcement official, policy maker and ordinary citizen who wants to understand the “why” of terrorism must read this essential, insightful and well researched book (Carlos Vazquez, Ph.D., Senior Consultant in Terrorist Recruitment at the Behavioral Analysis Group).

This book deeply explores the vicious cycle of different ideologically driven insurgency groups in the world. A must study!!! (David OttoEndeley, TGS Counter Terrorism & Organised Crime ExpertUK/EU/Africa).

This essential and up-to-date analysis helps us make sense of the most recent trends in terrorism, like the ‘do-it-yourself’ variety (Paul Cobaugh, Vice-President, Narrative Strategies).

More than just a modern Sun Tzu compilation on terrorism, this book offers a comprehensive view on the western homegrown terrorism in all its dimension: cultural, popular and media. A useful overview of the new youngster generation! (Gérald Arboit, Senior Researcher in the French Centre on Intelligence Research).

I would strongly recommend this book to get an insight view to part of our new world order (Arne GerritHalvorsen, Associate Editor of Defence and Intelligence Norway).

A great in–depth analysis of today’s jihadi terrorism phenomena. Takes you to a journey from the Salafist jihadi terrorism to Al Qaeda and then to ISIS by explaining the inner conflicts inside terrorist organizations and political atmosphere surrounding the countries they are in. Enriched with real life examples of homegrown ISIS inspired and directed terror attacks in the West, I strongly advise this book to practitioners and policy makers along with anyone who would like to better understand Salafist jihadi terrorism.

Ahmet S. Yayla, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor of Criminology, Law and Society at

George Mason University, Senior Research Fellow of the International Center

for the Study of Violent Extremism (ICSVE), former Chief of

Counterterrorism and Operations Division for the Turkish National Police,

coauthor of “ISIS DEFECTORS. Inside Stories of the Terrorist Caliphate” (2016),

written with Anne Spekhard

A study which, in addition to the explanation on the “where, when and how” of terrorism, helps to understand “why”!

Giuseppe Cucchi, General, former Head of DIS (Italian Security Intelligence

Department)

I highly recommend this book, as it fills an important gap in Western knowledge of jihadism. To know what the adversarial propaganda says is a way to prevent and contain its effects, and this is especially true in the case of DIY terrorism.

Ferdinando Sanfelice di Monteforte, Admiral, Professor of Strategic

Studies, former Italian MILREP to NATO and EU, former Commander of

NATO Naval Forces Southern Europe and anti-terrorism Operation ACTIVE

ENDEAVOUR, and author of several books

A clear analysis, based on scientific data and methodology, of a complex phenomenon. A book for everybody, that can be easily read, studied, and that definitely helps us understand why they are attacking us.

Fabrizio Luciolli, President of the Atlantic Treaty Association and President

of the Italian Atlantic Committee

A central theme of this in–depth analysis — a theme that Western audiences need to fully grasp — is that theWest is on the periphery of the conflict, a conflict which is internal to what the author calls ’the jihadist galaxy’.We are not central to this conflict but are being used by it and for it.

Ajit maan, Ph.D., President of Narrative Strategies, Author of “Internarrative

Identity: Placing the Self ” and “Counter-Terrorism: Narrative Strategies”

This essential and up-to-date analysis helps us make sense of the most recent trends in terrorism, like the ’do-it-yourself ’ variety. This enables us to anticipate what we can expect to develop next. Laura Quadarella Sanfelice’s most valuable contributions, in my opinion, are those so often not associated with books on terrorism. Her insightful explanations into the linkages and dynamics between contributing factors, competing organisations and especially the connection between identity and radicalisation are invaluable to those locked in conflict with evolving and lethal adversaries. Whether you work in CT, CVE or related fields, your reading list will be incomplete without Laura’s book on your bookshelf.

Paul Cobaugh, Vice–President, Narrative Strategies, and Co–Author “Soft

Power on Hard Problems: Strategic Influence in IrregularWarfare”

Every law enforcement official, policy maker and ordinary citizen who wants to understand the “why” of terrorism must read this essential, insightful and well researched book.

Carlos Vazquez, Ph.D., Senior Consultant in Terrorist Recruitment at the

Behavioral Analysis Group and Author of “Apocalyptic Psychology: ISIS’

SecretWeapon”

Dr. Laura Quadarella Sanfelice’s book deeply explores the vicious cycle of different ideologically driven insurgency groups in the world. She fully captivates the unique motivational factors, methods of building capabilities and choice of hard and soft targets within local environments. The unique nature in which she breaks down the modus operandi of various insurgency groups makes this edition highly recommended for all frontline practitioners and academics seeking for a sustainable solution to world peace — A must study!!!

David Otto Endeley, TGS Counter Terrorism & Organised Crime Expert

UK/EU/Africa, Founder of Step In Step Out (SISO)

More than just a modern Sun Tzu compilation on terrorism, this book offers a comprehensive view on the western homegrown terrorism in all its dimension: cultural, popular and media. A useful overview of the new youngster generation!

Gérald Arboit, Senior Researcher in the French Centre on Intelligence

Research

I am honored to have been given the opportunity of reviewing Laura Quadarella Sanfelice’s last edition of “Why we are under attack”. In a lifetime, I have had the opportunity to experience historical perspectives of war and conflicts in a more or less global image. Regardless of age, it is important to keep up with developments and cause in a new world image, in order to understand what is happening and the core of terrorism. In this perspective there are countless participants and ideologies. In order to get a more in-depth answer to this complexity, the book “Why we are under attack”, written by Laura Quadarella Sanfelice is an excellent occasion. Therefore, I would strongly recommend her book to get an insight view to part of our new world order.

Arne Gerrit Halvorsen, Associate Editor of “Defence and Intelligence

Norway”, Chief Police Inspector and Royal Norwegian Air Force Captain,

Commander of UN and NATO Special Investigation Groups

Picture used by the Islamic State in 2015 to threaten the conquest of Europe through Libya.

To Ferdinando, my husband,

whom I love to folly

and who is always close to me

List of acronyms of the principal jihadist groups mentioned

AaS Ansar al Sharia

AM Al Mourabitoun

AQ Al Qaeda

AQAP Al Qaeda in the Arabic Peninsula

AQIS Al Qaeda in the Indan Subcontinent

AQIM Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb

AS Al Shabab

BH Boko Haram

IS Islamic State (former ISIS – Islamic State in Iraq and Sham or ISIL – Islamic State in Iraq and Levant, and before ISI - Islamic State in Iraq)

JaK Jund al-Khalifah

JaN Jabat al-Nusra (starting from summer 2016 Jabat Fatah al Sham)

Preface

by Ahmet S Yayla1

Dr. Laura Quadarella Sanfelice provided us with an excellent book shedding light and a road map on today’s one of the most significant problems surrounding sociology, economy, international relations and more importantly security and safety of people: terrorism. Dr. Quadarella Sanfelice’s work makes it possible to easily understand the topic of jihadist terrorism step by step with ample examples. The framework of the book is equally comprehensive and well structured. Dr. Quadarella Sanfelice enables the reader to cover a wide range of issues related to the subject matter.

In today’s complex world, success against terrorism can only be achieved through an understanding of the problem of terrorism as Sun Tzu in the Art of War wrote “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” A sound counter-terrorism policy and prevention cannot be accomplished without knowing the terrorist organizations in question. From this perspective, anyone, particularly in the Western World, who is dealing with jihadist terrorism will greatly benefit from this book including Law Enforcement Agencies, counter-terrorism officers, military officers and intelligence agents.

The Islamic State and al-Qaeda have been the major threats to today’s societies. Their violent terrorism, unfortunately, has reached to the far stretches of the world. Almost, no nations are immune from their terrorist activities. Even if these terrorist organizations cannot reach to different geographies, as the author explained through her “do-it-yourself’ terrorism interpretation, the Islamic State and al-Qaeda can carry out terrorist attacks and activities remotely. With this in mind, Dr. Sanfelice starts her book with presenting the phenomenon of jihadist terrorism including the link to jihadist terrorism and the Arab Springs, the catalyzing effect of internal conflicts in the Islamic World, the characteristics of jihadist terrorism, the competition between al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, the objectives of these terrorist organizations and their appeal to the youngsters around the world. This chapter gives the reader a clear idea of Jihadist terrorism and its threats.

The second chapter focuses on the “do-it-yourself’ terrorism including the emerging risks from “do-it-yourself” terrorism, its birth and existentiality, the path to “do-it-yourself” terrorism along with the radicalization process involving identity crisis, the appeal of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State for the youth around the world and as a case study, Paris and Brussels attacks. The themes encompassed in this chapter are predominantly of interest to counter terrorism practitioners in their daily practices as Dr. Quadarella Sanfelice provides excellent exposure to the phenomena of “do-it-yourself” terrorism.

In the following sections, more attacks are examined as case studies and more importantly possible future developments are discussed. The author clearly draws a roadmap for the future in regards to possible terrorist attacks in Europe and Italy, the strength of the Islamic State and al-Qaeda in Europe, the dynamics of these two terrorist organizations in the future, and finally a possible merge or deeper conflicts between al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

The Islamic State is going to lose the war in the battleground soon. Al-Qaeda is very sinisterly expanding its network around the globe, as the World’s attention is focused on the Islamic State. While the defeat of the Islamic State might be great news, it does not mean that their terror will stop. However, the enemy will hide itself making it more difficult to counter the threats coming from this terrorist organization. Furthermore, many youngsters will continue to be radicalized along the way. Consequently, the fight against terrorism is going to be present for a long time; it needs to be balanced and to address a variety aspects of the problem of terrorism and the agencies and officers dealing with these problems must know with what and whom they are dealing.

I am quite sure that this book will be very beneficial and handy in navigating and assisting the people who are working in the field of counterterrorism and as well as anyone who wants to understand today’s most important security phenomena.

1 Ahmet S. Yayla, Ph.D., is Adjunct Professor of Criminology, Law and Society at George Mason University. He is a Senior Research Fellow of the International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism (ICSVE). He formerly served as Professor and the Chair of the Sociology Department at Harran University in Turkey. He is the former Chief of Counterterrorism and Operations Division for the Turkish National Police with a 20-year career interviewing thousands of terrorists. He is co-author of the just-released book, is “ISIS DEFECTORS. Inside Stories of the Terrorist Caliphate” (2016), written with Anne Spekhard.

Introduction1

In the most recent years, the attacks performed in the West, in the name of a group, or, in any case, of cause, have multiplied so much, that they have made the fear of terrorism to become a constant of our daily life. Feelings of fear, fortunately non yet of terror, are growing in our societies, who live between the worry of being conditioned in the future, if not (for some people) even swept away by the Caliphate, who advances and threatens to reach us, and the present concern that any among our Muslim “neighbors” might transform himself into a suicide bomber.