International Politics Dersi 6. Ünite Sorularla Öğrenelim

What does radicalization refer to?

Radicalization refers to a process of ideational transformation. The individual distinguishes his/her own position against any alternative explanations of the reality and adheres to a rigid “us” and “them” dichotomy.

How do The European Commission define violent extremism? 

The European Commission defines violent extremism (VE) as “The use of and support for violence in pursuit of ideological, religious or political goals.” The concept of VE is not limited to be part of a violent act. Supporting, advocating,
planning, organizing etc. such kinds of attacks are also regarded as components of VE.

How do The United States Department of Defence define terrorism?

The United States Department of Defence defines terrorism as “the calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological.”

What is the another major factor in the radicalization process?

Another major factor in the radicalization process is the lack of basic knowledge about particular values and concepts on which the groups base their claims for legitimacy and their need to fight.

How would you explain the concept of “Gatekeepers”?

“Gatekeepers” are the people who have direct contact with the individuals who are regarded to be relatively vulnerable and highly possible to be subject to radical propaganda.

What do you know about The Jewish Zealot movement? 

The Jewish Zealot movement is regarded as the first terrorist organization and thus, predecessor of all the terror groups. It emerged as a reaction to the Roman Empire’s rule in Palestine during its Imperial period, and its increasingly oppressive measures against the Jews and gradual loss of their autonomy within the Empire. 

Who is Hasan-i Sabbah?

Hasan-i Sabbah was widely regarded as both the propagandist of its strict sectarian stance, a military and ideological leader of its organisation, and a strategic mastermind behind selection of critical targets and capturing almost unconquerable castles and cities in order to hide its militants.

What are some of the key tactics of the Assassins which inspired the terror groups which would emerge in the following centuries?

The Assassins were thus, quite organized, able to control strategic strongholds, capable of influencing, manipulating and assassinating key figures, successful in defying several sieges by quite powerful states of their time, and proved to have a quite a sustainable modus operandi considering their several centuries of presence which is quite uncommon for terror groups.

What do you know about terrorism with religious motivations?

The link argued to be exist between terrorism with religious motivations and Islam and Muslims will also be challenged after having a brief overview of different terror groups with different religious motivations sometimes attacking their co-religionists due to sectarian differences, bombing people with chemicals in order to “bring the apocalypse earlier” or “purify the world”, and killing people just because of their different religious identity.

Who and why  did Crusaders attack?

Crusaders did not only attack their co-religionists due to their adherence to a different sect, namely Orthodox Christianity, but also Jews in their way to their destination and Muslims regardless of their occupation, age, and gender, too. The crusades lasted around 200 years from 1095 to 1291, with the direct encouragement of Pope Urban II to recapture the Holy Land.

What is the relationship between the increasing visibility of radicalization, violent extremism, and terrorism and new means of mass communication?

The relationship between the increasing visibility of radicalization, violent extremism, and terrorism and new means of mass communication has been a hot topic especially in the last decades when access to the virtual world has become an indispensable part of everyday life.

What are  the internet, social media, messaging and video apps used for, within the context of radicalization, violent extremism, and terrorism?

Within the context of radicalization, violent extremism, and terrorism, the internet, social media, messaging and video apps are used for several key purposes, such as propaganda, recruitment, planning attacks, training, and collecting financial resources for attacks.

What do the cyber world provide ?

The cyber world provides anonymity, speed, cheap ways to convey their message, reinforce their message with audio and visual content, ability to reach vast amount of public and their supporters at once, and to present themselves even more influential and powerful than they actually are.

How will cybercriminals and terrorist groups and individuals as a sub-section of it use the virtual world?

It seems clear that cybercriminals and terrorist groups and individuals as a sub-section of it will keep using the virtual world as an effective front in their activities and in time, their use would almost certainly witness an increase.

What is  the Women’s Role in Radicalization and Violent Extremism?

Women, however, as a unique partof the society, can play all these roles in spite of the broadly accepted idea that they can only play passive roles and they are only the victims of the process of radicalization and the impact of violent extremism, and terrorism. 

What is the difference between the role of fathers and brothers and women?

Fathers and brothers are more inclined to be more protective regarding family matters and, thus more reactionary to the efforts to de-radicalize or rehabilitate their relatives, whereas women can be more cooperative, prioritizing “saving” her relatives over the “family pride”. As another positive role women can play, regarding the “formers” or “returnees”, women’s privileged role can help rehabilitation process.

What roles can be played by women and youth in the fight against radicalization, violent extremism, and terrorism in your opinion?

Women cannot be regarded only as a passive agency as victims of radicalization and violent extremism, and terrorism, but indeed as an actor that can be part of all stages.  In that light, various roles of and the unique status of women within the context of these phenomena is gradually accepted by the international community which puts emphasis on formally addressing this necessary broadening of the scope regarding women’s role within this context.

We come across a quite high number of the youth within the context of radicalization, violent extremism, and terrorism. For instance, regarding violent extremism and terrorism, as high as 20 percent of the suicide attackers are between 15 and 18 ages. It is also estimated that around 1,500 children even
under these ages joined ISIS/ISIL/DAESH to fight (Alfred, 2016). 

What is the relationship between De-Radicalization and Disengagement?   

De-radicalization is a cognitive process with the goal of cutting the link between its target audience with radical ideas.  Disengagement refers to the
process of making the individual abandon the active organization in which he/ she either took part in violent acts or not. 

What is Rehabilitation? 

Rehabilitation is again a cognitive process which can be reinforced by social, cultural etc. activities aiming at regaining an individual in a way that it can move to the next step, namely reintegration to the society. 

What do you know about re-integration? 

We should also note that re-integration is not a one-sided process since the society should also be prepared to accept those individuals back.