July News: New global terrorism data to be shared during July 9 webinar; Series depicts cartel violence; START & the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism

Jul 01, 2020

FEATURED

New global terrorism trends and data to be shared during July 9 webinar
Join START at 11 a.m. ET July 9 for a webinar in which Dr. Erin Miller will unveil new data and explore the most recent terrorism trends documented in the Global Terrorism Database (GTD)^TM, the most comprehensive unclassified database of terrorist attacks in the world. The GTD now includes details of more than 200,000 events that took place worldwide over 50 years, from 1970 to 2019.

START formalizes commitment to Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism
START Director William Braniff and Geospatial Research Unit Director Marcus Boyd have taken on new advisory roles with the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT), on the Independent Advisory Committee (IAC) and the Crisis Response Working Group (CRWG), respectively. The GIFCT is an independent industry body created initially as a joint enterprise by Facebook, Twitter, Google/YouTube and Microsoft to counter terrorism in the online space, which Braniff has supported in the past.

Infographic series explores cartel violence in Mexico
START has recently published a four-part series of infographics exploring findings from its Tracking Cartels project, a Joint Centers of Excellence project supported by the DHS Office of University Programs. Each installment depicts a different aspect of cartel operations in Mexico, specifically detailing major cartel operational zones; the violent rise of Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG); violence in Michoacán over control of the avocado trade; and violence in Guanajuato over control of illicit petroleum.

100 Days Later: COVID-19: Implications for Managing Terrorism and Asymmetric Threats
Several months ago, START and its commercial partner, CHC Global, produced a sense-making document to think through the strategic implications of the Covid-19 pandemic 100 days after the virus appeared outside of mainland China. Shared initially with thought leaders in government, at multilaterals like the UN, and in the private sector, the recommendations found in the document remain relevant. In the document, we correctly anticipated the likelihood of compounding crises occurring during the pandemic, not realizing that in the United States the first compounding crisis would not be the approaching hurricane season, but a crisis of conscience regarding the killing of George Floyd. Given record breaking daily infection rates in the U.S., continued social upheaval over systemic racism, staggering economic losses, and the politicization of all of these issues in the run-up to the U.S. Presidential election, these compounding crises are not likely to dissipate.

Online Graduate Certificate in Terrorism Analysis
START offers a fully online Graduate Certificate in Terrorism Analysis hosted through the University of Maryland Graduate School. The flexible program (1-2 academic years) provides participants – both scholars and practitioners – with advanced education on the causes, dynamics and impacts of international and domestic terrorism.

PUBLICATIONS

Maritime Insurgency
Terrorism and Political Violence
Asal, Victor, and Justin V. Hastings, Karl Rethemeyer

The Link Between Prior Criminal Record and Violent Political Extremism in the United States
Understanding Recruitment to Organized Crime and Terrorism
Jensen, Michael A., and Aaron Safer-Lichtenstein, Patrick A. James, Gary LaFree

From the Periphery and toward a Centralized Model for Trust in Government Risk and Disaster Communication
Journal of Risk Research
Liu, Brooke F. and Amisha M. Mehta

The ABC Model: Commentary from the Perspective of the Two Pyramids Model of Radicalization
Terrorism and Political Violence
McCauley, Clark

The Marvel of Martyrdom: The Power of Self-Sacrifice in a Selfish World
Moskalenko, Sophia, and Clark McCauley

Radicalization to Terrorism: What Everyone Needs to Know
Oxford University Press
Moskalenko, Sophia, and Clark McCauley

Understanding Recruitment to Organized Crime and Terrorism
Springer
Weisburd, David, and Ernesto U. Savona, Badi Hasisi, Francesco Calderoni

Measuring the Extent and Nature of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) among Former White Supremacists
Terrorism and Political Violence
Windisch, Steven, and Pete Simi, Kathleen Blee, Matthew DeMichele

NEWS

START becomes official organizational member of the RESOLVE Network
START has joined the RESOLVE Network, a global network of individuals and organizations in the fields of policy and research that is headquartered at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), and that focuses on issues related to violent extremism and community resilience.

Former Army intel officer highlights the challenge of combating information warfare
Dr. Steve Sin, a former U.S. Army counterintelligence officer and Director of START’s Unconventional Weapons and Technology (UWT) Division, headlined a June webinar on the power of information warfare to influence political and military events.

SIA Government Summit features presentation from START and CHC
CHC Global CEO Chris Holt presented on “Integration of Safety and Security into Public-Private Partnerships,” with START Director William Braniff offering comments on terrorism-specific risks, during a virtual event for the Security Industry Association (SIA) Government Summit in June. The presentation explored public-private partnerships among security and risk professionals in managing events with catastrophic impacts.

START provides ample online education and training opportunities
Whether you are a full-time student or working professional, START has many options for you to further your education and build applicable skills, all from the comfort of your own home. Online offerings include:

Need to teach online unexpectedly? ICONS simulations can help
START’s ICONS team has 24 completely online, ready-to-go simulations that engage students in playing the roles of stakeholders in a range of complex political and societal issues. The simulations require students to think strategically, negotiate collaboratively and make decisions about world issues including international trade negotiations, global warming, food security,
human trafficking and more.

EVENTS

Current Threats from Domestic Extremism
10 a.m., 12 p.m, 2 p.m. ET July 1, Online
The State & Local Anti-Terrorism Training Program (SLATT) and the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR) will host a one-day series of three webinars titled, “Current Threats from Domestic Violent Extremism.” This is not a START event and is intended for sworn law enforcement officers.

Global Terrorism Database^TM 2020 Update
11 a.m. ET July 9, Online
Erin Miller will unveil new data and explore the most recent terrorism trends documented in the Global Terrorism Database (GTD)TM, the most comprehensive unclassified database of terrorist attacks in the world. The GTD now includes details of more than 200,000 events that took place worldwide over 50 years, from 1970 to 2019.

Virtual Information Session: Graduate Certificate
5 p.m. ET July 13, Online
The graduate certificate program provides participants with advanced education on the causes, dynamics, and impacts of international and domestic terrorism. Participants also develop the methodological skills necessary to pursue advanced research on and analysis of terrorism. This program is appropriate for both academicians and practitioners and is flexible in structure. Students can complete the program in as few as 12 months to 24 months.

Lecture: Experiences on the Majority Staff of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
1 p.m. ET July 15, Online
American University Associate Professor Stephen Tankel will provide a virtual lecture on “Experiences on the Majority Staff of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.” Tankel has served as a Senior Fellow on the majority staff of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and as a Senior Advisor at the Department of Defense. His research focuses on terrorism and counterterrorism, security assistance and cooperation, the use of force, and political and security affairs in South Asia.

Trump's Deployment of Terrorist Designations: A Look at the IRGC and Russian Imperial Movement
1 p.m. ET July 21, Online
On Tuesday, July 21 at 1:00 p.m. ET, Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS)’s Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism (CTEC) Director Jason Blazakis will provide a virtual lecture on “Trump's Deployment of Terrorist Designations: A Look at the IRGC and Russian Imperial Movement.”

CARR Far Right De-Radicalisation Webinars
What is deradicalisation? And what does it look like for individuals involved in radical right movements? As part of a new EU-STRIVE funded project with Hedayah, CARR will be unpicking these questions along with practitioners, former violent extremists and academic experts in a yearlong webinar series looking at far right deradicalisation good practices. To express your interest in attending one of these webinars, please email CARR's social media address: socialmedia@radicalrightanalysis.com.

OPPORTUNITIES

START's Graduate Certificate in Terrorism Analysis (Apply by 7/24)

CIRI Maritime Risk Symposium (MRS 2020) Student Posters Opportunity

Virtual Footlocker Project Focus Groups: Participants Wanted

Internship Opportunity: DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

Further information on other job opportunities, fellowship programs, conferences and more can be found on our website’s Other Opportunities page.

START IN THE NEWS

Washington Post: What is antifa?
START Founding Director Gary LaFree is quoted in this article about the antifa movement.

Psychology Today: Nobody Said George Floyd Was a Martyr or a Hero
START affiliate Sophia Moskalenko wrote this opinion piece about the George Floyd protests.

Instagram TV News Not Noise: Proud Boys and the Extremist Groups in America
START Director William Braniff was interviewed about extremist groups in the United States for an Instagram TV program News Not Noise, hosted by former CNN Correspondent Jessica Yellin.

WLS-AM Radio: Who is ANTIFA, the proud boys and the boogaloo boys
START Director William Braniff was interviewed by WLS-AM Radio Chicago about political violence and extremist groups in the United States.

Toronto Sun: What is Antifa? Four things to know about the controversial movement
START Founding Director Gary LaFree is quoted in this article about the antifa movement.

Politico: How women make protests more successful
Research conducted by START affiliate Erica Chenoweth is cited in this article about gender makeup of nonviolent protests.

Vox: People are running over George Floyd protesters. Are far-right memes to blame?
This article about violence against the George Floyd protesters uses data from the Global Terrorism Database (GTD).

The Washington Post: The Floyd protests are the broadest in U.S. history - and are spreading to white, small-town America
START affiliate Erica Chenoweth co-wrote this blog post about the gaining momentum of the George Floyd protests.

Sinclair Broadcasting Group: Internal probe finds foreign aid from State Dept. counterterror unit mismanaged
START Director William Braniff is quoted in this article from Sinclair Broadcasting Group, which ran in multiple outlets, about the counterterrorism aid that the State Department lends to foreign countries.

This is a selection of news clips from the past month.

A complete list of START’s media coverage can be found here.

SUPPORTING START

Help Support START Research and Education
The START Consortium is dedicated to generating knowledge of the human causes and consequences of terrorism. Applying rigorous standards to both research and education, START seeks to illuminate one of the most highly politicized and understudied phenomena in the social sciences for students, practitioners and policy-makers. Funded primarily through research grants to date, START is seeking to generate an endowment that will provide the flexibility and autonomy to ensure that it can continue to serve as an objective source of data and empirically based analysis into the future. To donate, or for more information, please click here.