Islamist Terrorism in Europe

Description

Europe is still facing an increase in terrorist plotting. This has led to growing security concerns over the fallout of the Syrian conflict, and the sizeable contingents of battle-hardened European foreign fighters, who are seeking to return home. This book provides a comprehensive account of the rise of jihadist militancy in Europe and offers a detailed background for understanding the current and future threat. Based on a wide range of new primary sources, it traces the phenomenon back to the late 1980s, and the formation of jihadist support networks in Europe in the early 1990s. Combining analytical rigor with empirical richness, Petter Nesser offers a comprehensive account of patterns of terrorist cell formation and plots between 1995 and 2017. In contrast to existing research which has emphasized social explanations, failed immigration and homegrown radicalism, this book highlights the transnational aspects. It shows how jihadi terrorism in Europe is intrinsically linked to and reflects the ideological agendas of armed organizations in conflict zones, and how entrepreneurial jihad-veterans facilitate such trans-nationalization of militancy. Cover Half-title Title Copyright Contents Acknowledgements Conventions Abbreviations Prologue Introduction 1. From Afghanistan to Europe Afghan-Arabs Al-Qaida Camps and alliances Europe in jihadi thought Jihadis enter Europe Commandos behind enemy lines “Londonistan” Preachers Recruitment Covenant of security 2. Scope and modus operandi Scope of plots Modus Operandi 3. The Algeria Factor (1994–2000) GIA Emirs and radicalization The France attacks Building cells Mixed motives 4. Towards Global Jihad in Europe (2000–3) Global jihad kicks off From support network to terrorist cell Frankfurt cell The network of Djamel Beghal Tawhid Chechen network 5. The Iraq Effect (2003–5) The new generation Injustices against Islam Jihadism behind bars Al-Qaida’s plans for Iraq Drumming for jihad in Europe Recruitment for the Iraqi jihad M-11 Hofstadgroup 6. The Pakistan Axis (2004–6) Pakistani jihadis and al-Qaida The UK–Pakistan trail Waziristan and Europe plots Crawley group 7/7 Airliner plot 7. The Northern Front (2005–8) Cartoons “Al-Qaida in Northern Europe” Glasvej Suitcase bombers Sauerland cell Doctors’ cell 8. Decentralization (2008–10) Continued threat from Af-Pak Single-actors on the rise 9. A Heterogeneous Threat (2011–15) Syria and the new generation Reciprocal radicalization The Syria effect Al-Qaida still in the game Soldier killers Targeting anti-Islam Blowback Full Circle: The Attacks on Charlie Hebdo Epilogue: Islamic State’s Effect on European Jihadism What creates the IS-effect? Why the rise in potential attackers? The importance of foreign fighters Tactical moves The challenges security services face Do we exaggerate the threat? How do plots occur? Who are the terrorists? Interventions matter Networks matter more Entrepreneurs matter most How can the threat be reduced? Notes Index