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• S. Hrg. 110-178: Violent Islamist Extremism--2007: Hearings before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Tenth Congress, First Session: The Threat of Islamist Radicalism to the Homeland, March 14, 2007; The Internet: A Portal to Violent Islamist Extremism, May 3, 2007; Violent Islamist Extremism: Government Efforts to Defeat It, May 10, 2007; Violent Islamist Extremism: The European Experience, June 27, 2007; and The Role of Local Law Enforcement in Countering Violent Islamist Extremism, October 30, 2007

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  This document contains transcripts from five separate hearings on "Violent Islamist Extremism" held by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs between March and October of 2007. Senator Joseph Lieberman opened each of the five hearings with a statement outlining the focus for each session. From the March 14, 2007 opening statement: "Today we are going to focus on what we are doing to detect, deter, and defeat this threat [violent Islamist extremism]. [...] As part of this investigative series, our Committee will look at the impact of extremist propaganda on the Internet, on the Islamist terrorist presence in the United States, and how our government and people combat it. [...] The domestic threat to our safety will require a strong, comprehensive, and creative strategy of homeland security." The May 3, 2007 opening statement contained direction to hear testimony on the threat of the Internet as a recruiting tool for Islamist extremists. On May 10, testimony focused on what federal agencies are "doing to combat such radicalization at home" and "what they are doing to reach out to build bridges into the Muslim World that will present an alternative path to the future than the one Islamist extremists present." June 27 testimony studied European experiences in combating terrorism. The final hearing of the series on October 30 focused "on the critical role of local law enforcement in detecting and preventing another terrorist attack on our homeland, not one planned. Manned, and financed from abroad like the September 11, 2001, attacks, but one conceived from within our country by what one our witnesses calls 'unremarkable people' bent on spectacular destruction." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: March 14, 2007: Joseph I. Lieberman, Charles E. Allen, Michael Chertoff, Daniel W. Sutherland; May 3, 2007: Michael S. Doran, Joseph H. Felter, Frank J. Cilluffo, Susan M. Collins, Daniel K. Akaka, Claire McCaskill, George V. Voinovich, Jon Tester, Norm Coleman, John Warner, Thomas R. Carper, Mark L. Pryor; May 10, 2007: Jeremy F. Curtin, Chip Poncy, John J. Miller, Jeffrey J. Grieco; June 27, 2007: Jean-Louis Bruguiere, Lidewijde Ongering, Marc Sageman, Lynn M. Martin, Farooq M. Kathwari; October 20, 2007: Lawrence H. Sanchez, Mitchell D. Silber, Michael P. Downing, Michael R. Ronczkowski, and Thomas Dailey. Also included is the committee report released on May 8, 2008 titled "Violent Islamist Extremism, the Internet, and the Homegrown Terrorist Threat."

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2009
• Evaluation of a Multi-Faceted, U.S. CommunityBased, Muslim-Led CVE Program

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  "This report describes the results of the first evaluation of a U.S. community-based1 CVE Program. Along with the reported outcomes, attached is the resulting suite of freely-licensed, validated measurement instruments to afford policy makers, CVE program administrators, and CVE program evaluators common metrics by which they may judge the relative effectiveness of various CVE programs. […] There was consensus that peers might be those best positioned to notice early signs of individuals considering acts of violent extremism. Experimental tests revealed fear of damaging one's peer-relationships reduced individuals' willingness to intervene in CVE contexts. Also, peer gatekeepers seemed least willing to reach out to law enforcement (vs. other modes of intervention). Nevertheless, when such fear was at its greatest, peer gatekeepers tended to be most willing--despite their fears--to intervene. As an evidence-based recommendation, the development of 'peer gatekeeper training' seems prudent. Such training has been recently pioneered by the World Organization for Resource Development and Education (WORDE), though it remains on a small scale. Based on the research conducted for this study, such training seems worthy both of 'scaling up,' and testing its generalizability in other municipalities. Practical suggestions regarding 'peer gatekeeping,' initiatives are offered (see Insert 1), which have the advantage of being both evidence-based, and ideologically 'agnostic.'"

  Williams, Michael J.; Horgan, John, 1974-; Evans, William P.

  2016-06
• Countering Violent Extremism Policy in the United States: Are Cve Programs in America Effectively Mitigating the Threat of Homegrown Violent Extremism?

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  From the thesis abstract: "Despite a continued threat of violent extremism, current efforts to develop and implement nationally led programming to counter violent extremism in the United States are ineffective. America's current countering violent extremism (CVE) strategy suffers from a lack of scale and foundational scientific support, and contains no system of metrics to evaluate its success. This thesis conducts a comparative policy analysis between the United States' and the United Kingdom's CVE strategies to identify their respective strengths and, in doing so, to determine which UK policies may be leveraged to improve the American CVE strategy. In furthering the discussion surrounding American CVE efforts, this thesis surveys several models from social science to demonstrate the value of incorporating scientifically supported research into future CVE policy discussions. Concluding the comparative analysis and discussion of scientific theory, the thesis closes with a series of policy recommendations and implementation plans for consideration. Based on the research presented, it is recommended that the United States adopt nationally led, locally implemented CVE policies like those found in the United Kingdom's 'Prevent' strategy, and that improved strategies are grounded in social science research."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Stewart, Craig M.

  2017-12
• Deterring Violent Extremism in America by Utilizing Good Counter Radicalization Practices from Abroad: A Policy Perspective

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  From the thesis abstract: "The problem of violent extremism is approaching a critical point in America. American government and community leaders must find an effective approach to deterring violent extremism immediately. A national and comprehensive approach to deter violent extremism in America is currently lacking. This comparative policy perspective seeks to determine whether the United Kingdom and Australia have good practices to deter violent extremism that can be useful in America. Secondly, this thesis also seeks to determine whether the United States can implement potential good practices to deter violent extremism. After a thorough review of the issue of violent extremism in America, this thesis studies similar background, research, and violent extremism issues in the United Kingdom and Australia. This thesis concludes that a variety of good practices in the United Kingdom and Australia can counter radicalize and deter violent extremists in America. The findings and recommendations from this research include challenges and a way forward to implement certain potential best practices for the United States. The arguments offer viable options and alternatives that the United States should consider when creating a national deterring-violent-extremism strategy. The details and information regarding understanding and implementing good practices to deter violent extremism in America are contained in this thesis."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Bonanno, Amy Fires

  2017-03
• Department of Homeland Security Strategy for Countering Violent Extremism

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  "Violent extremism presents a critical threat to the United States. Individuals who commit acts of violent extremism are inspired by diverse political, religious, and philosophical beliefs, and are not limited to any single population or region. No matter the motivation, attacks by violent extremists have devastating effects on our communities. The United States unequivocally condemns ideologically-motivated violence. Although counterterrorism and law enforcement efforts to disrupt plots are a continuing priority, the evolving threat environment requires more proactive, community-based prevention and intervention. The United States must work to counter violent extremism by dissuading individuals from radicalizing to violence in the first place. This means supporting and building trust with diverse communities across the country. Research shows that parents, neighbors, colleagues, peers, teachers, and community leaders are best positioned to address the underlying causes of violent extremism, recognize when an individual becomes ideologically-motivated to commit violence, and intervene before an individual or a group commits an act of violent extremism. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is dedicated to countering violent extremism and plays a leading role in the Federal Government's efforts. To accomplish this, DHS equips CVE [countering violent extremism] community partners with the necessary information, grants, tools, training, and other support to help them identify and counter radicalization to violence. Through these efforts, the Department ensures that families and communities are empowered and well-informed to resist violent extremism."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2016-10-28
• Countering Violent Extremism: Remarks of Daniel Benjamin, Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, to the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA), Washington, DC, January 25, 2012

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  From the text: "[O]n behalf of Secretary Clinton, I want to express the United States' gratitude to His Highness, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for stepping forward at the September launch of the Global Counterterrorism Forum and announcing the UAE's [United Arab Emirates] willingness to host this institution. Sheikh Abdullah has been a leader in global efforts to counter violent extremism and the UAE government has developed creative and targeted programs to address vulnerable populations in countries and regions such as Afghanistan, Yemen and Somalia. Establishing an international venue in Abu Dhabi for training, dialogue, collaboration, and research to counter violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations is another demonstration of the UAE's leadership in developing innovative ways to address the drivers of violent extremism, one of the critical long-term CT [Counter-Terrorism] challenges we all face.This initiative could not be more timely. There is widespread agreement on the need to prevent individuals from starting down the path toward radicalization, the embrace of violence, and support for terrorism, as well as to divert those already on that path before they are fully committed and mobilized. There is no institution, however, dedicated to addressing this challenge. The international community urgently needs a venue devoted to training, dialogue, collaboration, and research to counter violent extremism, one that can bring together the experts, expertise, and experience that exist in countries around the globe. One of the unsung successes of the past decade has been the extraordinary level of international cooperation we have achieved in counterterrorism. Although we have not been able to prevent all terrorist attacks, we have disrupted dangerous conspiracies, taken bad actors off the street, and broken up capable networks. Much of that cooperation was the result of intelligence work and law enforcement cooperation. Much of it was bilateral. Some of it occurred in relatively small groups. As a global community, there is much to be proud of -- we have become exceptionally effective at tactical counterterrorism. But having said all that, the challenges that violent extremism presents are not fading with the international community's success against al-Qaida (AQ), its affiliates, and its adherents, as well as other terrorist groups. The loss of Usama bin Laden puts AQ on a path of decline that it probably cannot reverse. However, the factors that make some populations vulnerable to internalizing the worldview expressed by the AQ and other violent extremist narratives are still present in many communities. As we know, even more than its financing, what sustains terrorist groups is the steady flow of new recruits. They replace the terrorists that are killed or captured, and then go on to plan new attacks."

  United States. Department of State

  Benjamin, Daniel, 1961-

  2012-01-25
• Countering Violent Extremism and Active Shooter Web Portal

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  "The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has developed a Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) and Active Shooter approach that applies to all forms of violent extremism or crimes, regardless of ideology; and that focuses not on radical thought or speech, but instead on preventing violent attacks. This approach is designed to support the National Strategy on Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism and the Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States which President Obama released in 2011. To support this initiative, the Department is working with a broad range of partners to gain a better understanding of the behaviors, tactics, and other indicators that could point to potential violent crime or terrorist activity within the United States, and the best ways to mitigate or prevent that activity. One of the venues used by DHS to promote information and intelligence sharing on a broad range of topics is the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN). This network provides a secure and trusted environment for information sharing and collaboration between Federal, State, Local, Tribal, Territorial, private sector, civilian and international partners engaged in prevention, preparedness, detection, response, and recovery of all threats, crimes, hazards, and incidents."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2014-10-15
• Strategic Implementation Plan to Empower Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States

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  From the introduction: "In 2011, the United States adopted the Strategy for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States (Strategy) and a corresponding Strategic Implementation Plan. Since publication, the mission to prevent violent extremism has progressed, and violent extremist threats have continued to evolve. The overall goal of the Strategy and United States Government efforts to implement it remains unchanged: to prevent violent extremists and their supporters from inspiring, radicalizing, financing, or recruiting individuals or groups in the United States to commit acts of violence. This updated Strategic Implementation Plan responds to the current dynamics of violent extremism and reflects experiences and knowledge acquired over the last five years. It replaces the 2011 Strategic Implementation Plan for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States."

  United States. White House Office

  2016-10
• Department of Homeland Security Countering Violent Extremism Programs and Initiatives

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  "Secretary Johnson outlined the Department's CVE [Countering Violent Extremism] Strategy in his September 28, 2015, memo, 'Building Community Partnerships to Counter Violent Extremism.' Specifically, the memo instructs the Department to: 1. Create a consolidated program to support community-based efforts to counter violent extremism that resides within the Office for Community Partnerships (OCP); 2. Foster greater involvement of the technology sector in promoting private efforts to counter violent extremism in the United States; 3. Foster greater philanthropic support and partnership for private CVE efforts in the United States; and 4. Enhance the Department's capacity to administer CVE grants and funding opportunities. Additionally, the strategy outlined in the memo discusses how CVE-focused engagement, research, and law enforcement training can be enhanced to reflect the current assessments of the violent extremist threat. 3 DHS has made significant progress on the abovementioned strategy. This report identifies the activities that support this strategy, organized in four focus areas, and the full-time equivalent (FTE) personnel, personnel expenditures, and corresponding program funding."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2016-06-14
• Tailoring Violent Extremism Prevention: A Targeted Intervention Method

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  From the thesis abstract: "The threat that emanates from violent extremism in the United States has shifted from large-scale networked cells to lone-wolf attackers. These violent extremists vary in ethnicity, race, age, religion, and motivations, and their path to radicalization is not linear. However, the majority of Department of Homeland Security programs designed to combat violent extremism still focus exclusively on the Muslim population and on community-based approaches. This thesis identifies two separate but related deficiencies in current countering violent extremism (CVE) programs: first, their inability to prevent attacks perpetrated by individuals who have been interviewed by law enforcement but did not become subjects of a formal investigation, and second, their inability to provide early intervention for individuals who are vulnerable to radicalization. This research proposes a multi-disciplinary, comprehensive model to prevent violent extremism at every intervention point, leveraging law enforcement capabilities, neighborhood policing models, and more robust threat assessment methods." The CHDS Viewpoints in Homeland Defense and Security video link for this thesis is available at: https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=8212445

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Mourad, Mourad

  2018-12
• Strategic Implementation Plan for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States

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  "The President in August 2011 signed the National Strategy for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States (National Strategy for Empowering Local Partners), which outlines our community-based approach and the Federal Government's role in empowering local stakeholders to build resilience against violent extremism. It recognizes that, as the National Security Strategy from May 2010 highlights, 'our best defenses against this threat are well informed and equipped families, local communities, and institutions.' To support our overarching goal of preventing violent extremists and their supporters from inspiring, radicalizing, financing, or recruiting individuals or groups in the United States to commit acts of violence, the Federal Government is focused on three core areas of activity: (1) enhancing engagement with and support to local communities that may be targeted by violent extremists; (2) building government and law enforcement expertise for preventing violent extremism; and (3) countering violent extremist propaganda while promoting our ideals."

  United States. White House Office

  2011-12
• Statement By Press Secretary Marsha Catron On Secretary Johnson And Deputy Secretary Mayorkas' Participation In The White House Summit On Countering Violent Extremism [February 13, 2015]

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  On February 13, 2015, the Department of Homeland Security issued the following press release: "On Feb. 17-19, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and other senior members of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will participate in the White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE). On Feb. 17, Deputy Secretary Mayorkas will deliver opening remarks and introduce Vice President Joe Biden at the CVE Leadership Forum. The event will highlight the Department's work with three partner cities to develop and implement locally-driven prevention and intervention frameworks. On Feb. 18, Secretary Johnson will deliver opening remarks to highlight the Department's collaboration with state and local law enforcement to counter and prevent violent extremism. Secretary Johnson will highlight his recent engagements with local communities around the country to promote and enable these efforts, while building partnerships between community organizations and officials. Later, Secretary Johnson will chair a Ministerial on the margins of the CVE Summit, during which he will moderate a roundtable discussion on international cooperation and deliver closing remarks with Special Presidential Envoy General (Retired) John Allen. Throughout the Summit, DHS leadership will participate in workshops and forums to highlight the Department's CVE initiatives and ongoing collaboration efforts. The threat posed by violent extremism is neither constrained by international borders nor limited to any single ideology and DHS works closely with community, state, local, federal and international partners, to understand violent extremism, support local communities, and support law enforcement."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Press Office

  2015-02-13
• Creating a Learning Organization for State, Local, and Tribal Law Enforcement to Combat Violent Extremism

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  From the thesis abstract: "This is a proof-of-concept project for an online law enforcement learning organization dedicated to combating violent extremism (CVE), specifically, counter-radicalization techniques to be implemented by state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. Although there are many different forms of violent extremism, examples in this paper reflect those threats from Islamic violent extremism. Even so, this proposed law enforcement learning organization model could be used to facilitate countermeasures against all forms of violent extremism. The paper proposes utilizing an asynchronous online discussion format for state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to enter into dialogue about counter radicalization as well as to provide resources for law enforcement training cadre and command staff. This learning model concept will augment current CVE counter-radicalization strategies in the United States, allowing for greater dialogue, information, and idea sharing. Additionally, two curriculum options are presented to augment the learning organization concept. The project's foundation is within the online asynchronous discussion and related instructional design body of research."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Powell, John Eric

  2016-09
• Department of State & USAID Joint Strategy on Countering Violent Extremism

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  From the Message from Secretary Kerry: "Threats from violent extremism increasingly undermine security and development around the globe. From Afghanistan to Nigeria, terrorists seek to expand their reach and resonance by exploiting ongoing conflicts and insurgency, joining forces with criminal networks, establishing safe havens in weak and repressive states, and propagating hatred via social media. Even as we work to defeat and degrade the most virulent terrorist group-Da'esh-and restrain the wanton murder, slavery, and violence it spreads, we know that its defeat on the battlefield is not enough. [...] Today we take another step forward. The Department of State and USAID [U.S. Agency for International Development] have produced a proactive international strategy recognizing immediate needs, utilizing our strengths, and demonstrating our will to comprehensively address the challenge of violent extremism, including the root causes. Together, we are building organizational structures needed to pursue a more aggressive and integrated approach to this challenge. This is a generational struggle, but we must begin now. Carrying forth the work of the White House CVE [Countering Violent Extremism] Summit agenda, this strategy recognizes the need to foster and empower a broad-based coalition of government and non-governmental actors to address this scourge and project a positive vision. Our strategic CVE approach positions the United States to work with partners around the globe to address an evolving threat and prevent new violent extremists from emerging. We will prevail by working together; indeed, there are roles for everyone, from religious leaders to government staff to academics, civil society, NGOs [non-governmental organization], and the private sector."

  United States. Department of State; United States. Agency for International Development

  2016-05
• Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Training Guidance & Best Practices

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  "In recent years, the United States has seen a number of individuals in the U.S. become involved in violent extremist activities, with particular activity by American residents and citizens inspired by al Qaeda and its ideology. We know that violent extremism is not confined to any single ideology, but we also know that the threat posed by al Qaeda and its adherents is the preeminent threat we face in the homeland. It is important for law enforcement personnel to be appropriately trained in understanding and detecting ideologically motivated criminal behavior, and in working with communities and local law enforcement to counter domestic violent extremism. Training must be accurate, based on current intelligence, and must include cultural competency training. The Department of Homeland Security, in partnership with the National Counterterrorism Center, hosts an inter-agency working group to bring together best practices in Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) training. The group has prepared this guidance for federal, state, and local government and law enforcement officials organizing CVE, cultural awareness, or counterterrorism training."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

  2011-10
• Framework for Prevention and Intervention Strategies: Incorporating Violent Extremism Into Violence Prevention Efforts

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  "In March 2014, the White House National Security Council (NSC) requested assistance from three regions with piloting the development of a comprehensive framework that promotes multi-disciplinary solutions to countering violent extremism. The Greater Boston region was selected because of its existing collaborative efforts and nationally recognized success with developing robust comprehensive violence prevention and intervention strategies. With the support of the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security and National Counterterrorism Center, a range of stakeholders in the Greater Boston region began to develop a locally-driven framework. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts has had a coordinating role in this process. […] The framework is intended to serve as a foundation to assist various communities (locally, nationally and internationally), build resilience and capacity to prevent individuals, including young people, from being inspired and recruited by violent extremists. Having a foundation from which to start is an important step to developing any strategy, particularly one that involves a complex issue like countering violent extremism which, so far, has been poorly defined and understood. Through the pilot initiative, the Collaborative has explored existing prevention and early intervention strategies that can be enhanced as well as new strategies that require resources for implementation. Although the Collaborative was created out of an initiative to counter violent extremism, the solutions are not entirely unique from other prevention related strategies that are currently being implemented (or can be implemented) through broader efforts by public health, mental health, non-profit organizations, private partnerships, government and others."

  United States Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts

  2015-02
• Countering Violent Extremism in the United States [February 19, 2014]

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  "In August 2011, the Obama Administration announced its counter-radicalization strategy. It is devised to address the forces that influence some people living in the United States to acquire and hold radical or extremist beliefs that may eventually compel them to commit terrorism. This is the first such strategy for the federal government, which calls this effort 'combating violent extremism' (CVE). Since the Al Qaeda attacks of September 11, 2001, the U.S. government has prosecuted hundreds of individuals on terrorism charges. Unlike the necessarily 'secretive' law enforcement and intelligence efforts driving these investigations, the CVE strategy includes sizeable government activity within the 'open marketplace of ideas,' where private citizens are free to weigh competing ideologies and engage in constitutionally protected speech and expression. Some of the key challenges in the implementation of the CVE strategy likely spring from the interplay between the marketplace of ideas and the secretive realm encompassing law enforcement investigations and terrorist plotting. The strategy addresses the radicalization of all types of potential terrorists in the United States but focuses on those inspired by Al Qaeda. To further elaborate this strategy, in December 2011 the Administration released its 'Strategic Implementation Plan for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States' (SIP). The SIP is a large-scale planning document with three major objectives and numerous future activities and efforts. The SIP's three objectives involve (1) enhancing federal community engagement efforts related to CVE, (2) developing greater government and law enforcement expertise for preventing violent extremism, and (3) countering violent extremist propaganda."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bjelopera, Jerome P.

  2014-02-19
• International Expert Engagement and Analysis of Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Evaluations, Final Report

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  From the Introduction:"In furtherance of its mission to conduct evidence-based research to inform policy recommendations, operational requirements, and public safety needs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has developed a countering violent extremism (CVE) framework (the Framework). This Framework will assist DHS S&T in developing a research agenda that seeks to save lives, reduce property losses, and enhance community resilience in the face of rapidly changing threats of extremist violence in the United States. The Framework recommends pursuing research in the following four areas: diverting individuals from radicalization, preventing individuals from carrying out attacks or locations from being targeted, mitigating the impact of extremist events, and developing community and individual resilience to violence inspired by extremism. Initial Framework research conducted for the Countering Violent Extremism - Developing a Research Roadmap project and the 5RD Workshop to Counter Violent Extremism suggested a need for increased evaluation of CVE programs across all four Framework research areas to properly understand how best to implement future programs and improve existing CVE programs."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Science and Technology Directorate

  RTI International

  2017-11
• Countering Violent Extremism in Mali

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  From the Introduction: "This monograph begins with historical analysis of rebellion, extremism, and the countering of violent extremism in Mali, in order to illuminate the context in which more recent events have taken place. It chronicles the rise of Islamic extremism in Mali, and explains how the Malian government and United States perceived and attempted to address that rise. Included in the explanation of the American response is the growing role of Special Operations Forces (SOF) in building the capacity of Malian forces. The monograph then examines the extremist military gains that began in 2011, the military coup of March 2012, the Islamist offensive in January 2013, and the French intervention. The narrative concludes with French efforts to hold stubborn enemies at bay while multiple international actors attempt to build local capacity. The final chapter analyzes the most important issues and chal - lenges in countering Mali's violent extremists, particularly in terms of SOF, and explains how they might be relevant in confronting violent extremism elsewhere in Africa or other regions."

  Joint Special Operations University (U.S.)

  Moyar, Mark

  2015-11
• Readout Of Secretary Johnson And Deputy Secretary Mayorkas' Participation In The White House Summit On Countering Violent Extremism [February 19, 2015]

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  On February 19, 2015, the Department of Homeland Security issued the following press release: "WASHINGTON -- Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and other senior members of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) concluded their participation in the three-day White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE). On Feb. 17, Deputy Secretary Mayorkas delivered remarks and introduced Vice President Biden at the CVE Leadership Forum. The event highlighted the Department's work with three partner cities -- Minneapolis/St. Paul, Boston, and Los Angeles -- to develop and implement locally-driven prevention efforts. The event focused on lessons learned and best practices with local stakeholders, and how the Department can replicate these efforts around the country. Later, Secretary Johnson delivered remarks at a reception hosted by Google to religious and community leaders, academics, non-government organizations, and social media and technology industry leaders on the importance of public/private collaboration in furthering the Department's CVE efforts. Yesterday, Secretary Johnson delivered remarks on the Department's collaboration with state and local law enforcement to counter and prevent violent extremism. Secretary Johnson emphasized that in the complex and constantly evolving threat environment, our homeland security mission must involve the public. He discussed his recent engagements with local communities in Boston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Columbus, and Chicago and reiterated that DHS has taken a whole-of-government approach to best support federal, state, and local efforts to counter violent extremism across the country. "

  United States. Department of Homeland Security. Press Office

  2015-02-19
• Co-Chairs Fact Sheet: International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism

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  "On 14 December 2012, ministers and other senior officials from the 30 members of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) will inaugurate the first-ever international center of excellence for countering violent extremism (CVE), with its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. At the September 2011 ministerial-level launch of the GCTF in New York, the United Arab Emirates offered to host this center in response to the growing desire from GCTF members and the wider international community for the establishment of an independent, multilateral center devoted to training, dialogue, collaboration, and research to counter violent extremism in all of its forms and manifestations, one that can bring together the experts, expertise, and experience that exist in countries around the globe. This initiative could not be more timely. There is widespread agreement on the need to prevent individuals from starting down the path toward radicalization, the embrace of violence, and support for terrorism, as well as to divert those already on that path before they are fully committed and mobilized. With the opening of the International Center of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism in Abu Dhabi there will now be an international institution dedicated to addressing this challenge."

  United States. Department of State

  2012-12-14
• Connections Among Communities: Preventing Radicalization and Violent Extremism Through Social Network Analysis (SNA) in the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) Framework

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  From the thesis abstract: "The evolution of socially connected networks of influence has created new ideological dimensions that motivate an individual to radicalize and to commit acts of violent extremism and terrorism. This thesis explored the viability of using social network analysis (SNA) as a tool in the nation's Threat and Hazard Identification Risk Assessment (THIRA) framework to determine whether factors (such as relationships and motivations) can be used to reduce the vulnerability of a community at risk of radicalization and violent extremism and to build resilience. Using literature that described core SNA principles and related fields of study, a theoretical framework was developed to illustrate how extremist ideologies and motivations are socialized within a particular network. This theoretical framework is assessed through a multi-case study analysis, examining an individual's radicalization process and programs to counter violent extremism in Australia and Scotland. This analysis ultimately suggested that incorporating the SNA methodology could be beneficial if included in the THIRA process. This thesis illustrates how a community could be provided the opportunity to mitigate against the process of radicalization by developing and targeting core capabilities that may help them build social capital and trust and to increase efficiency and availability of information sharing and social support intended to improve individual and community resilience."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Woodhams, Katrina Marie

  2016-12
• Development Response to Violent Extremism and Insurgency

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  "This policy on 'The Development Response to Violent Extremism and Insurgency' is the first of its kind produced by USAID [United States Agency for International Development]. Its purpose is to provide a policy framework that USAID can use to improve the effectiveness of its development tools in responding to violent extremism and insurgency, as well as its capacity to interact constructively with its interagency and other partners in these challenging environments. The policy will also help USAID focus more tightly on capacity building and sustainability which are critical to our long-term security and development goals. The policy defines terms necessary for a shared understanding within USAID of these challenges and differentiates at a general level between a development response to violent extremism and a development response to insurgency. At the same time, it acknowledges that each situation is different and that these terms and the development response will need to be defined and understood in their particular context and guided by U.S. foreign policy. […] The policy affirms the importance of the development discipline to, and USAID's distinct and critical role in, addressing these critical national security and development challenges. This includes USAID's focus on sustainability and building ownership and capacity at all levels. If applied correctly, a development response can serve as an effective tool to address these issues."

  United States. Agency for International Development

  2011-09
• Privacy Impact Assessment for the Countering Violent Extremism Grant Program

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  "The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses the Countering Violent Extremism Grant Program (CVEGP) to fulfill a congressional mandate to help states and local communities prepare for, prevent, and respond to emergent threats from violent extremism. To properly execute the grant program and help adhere to congressional intent, DHS must ensure that grant recipients do not use Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) grant funding to support terrorism, engage in other criminal activities, or otherwise conduct or support activities that are contrary to the purpose of the program. The DHS Secretary has the discretion to consider those factors necessary to properly execute the grant program. Acting on behalf of the DHS Secretary in administering the grant process, the DHS Office for Community Partnerships (OCP) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will review grant applications considering information and analysis contained in security assessments coordinated and produced by DHS's Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), with the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), directly in support of OCP, FEMA, and this departmental effort. This privacy impact assessment (PIA) examines the privacy implications of these security reviews."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2016-12-07
• Role of Fusion Centers in Countering Violent Extremism: Overview

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  "To counter violent extremism, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is working with a broad range of partners, including state and major urban area fusion centers. Fusion centers play an important role in countering violent extremism and protecting local communities from violent crime through their daily operations, including gathering, analyzing, and sharing threat information. As analytic hubs, fusion centers are uniquely situated to empower frontline personnel to understand the local implications of national intelligence by tailoring national threat information into a local context and helping frontline personnel understand terrorist and criminal threats they could encounter in the field, while also protecting the privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties of individuals in their communities. Fusion centers also inform the federal government of the threats and issues they encounter in their communities, which in turn helps the federal government to better support local efforts."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2012-10
• Reconsidering CVE: The Unintended Consequences of Countering Violent Extremism Efforts in America

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  From the thesis abstract: "The problem of violent extremism in the United States is complex and, now more than ever, it is politically charged. This thesis critically analyzes countering violent extremism (CVE) efforts in the United States since 2011 to reveal a number of adverse, unintended consequences stemming from policy and programming. Using open-source research, the thesis also establishes a dataset to describe federal CVE efforts, which is evaluated through a sociopsychological lens to determine the impact of the efforts on communities, organizations, and individuals. While many adverse consequences are identified, they culminate in one troublesome conclusion: that current U.S. CVE programming is contributing to greater national insecurity. This research provides recommendations designed to mitigate the damaging impacts of CVE efforts that have already taken root--such as institutionalized racism and insufficient attention on domestic terrorism--and offers data-driven suggestions for policymakers. The findings of this research call for a fundamental restructuring of the U.S. counterterrorism strategy; rather than interdicting violence, the strategy must focus on preventing violence. Preventing terrorism, as shown through this research, begins with countering the susceptibility of vulnerable individuals to violent radicalization and recruitment tactics."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Barbari, Nabeela

  2018-12
• Cloudy Crystal Ball: Detecting and Disrupting Homegrown Violent Extremism

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  From the thesis abstract: "Homegrown violent extremism (HVE) is unpredictable, but not completely absent of warning signs. This thesis evaluates how potential homegrown extremists can be identified before an attack occurs, and the use of preventive detention is considered for preempting violent acts. An evaluation of recent HVE incidents--including the Boston Marathon bombing, Charleston church shooting, San Bernardino shooting, Orlando Nightclub massacre, and Fort Lauderdale airport attack--reveals threat investigation gaps. Without a crystal ball, it is unlikely investigators could have predicted violence in these cases, but opportunities for improvement were found in hindsight. This thesis argues multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) and threat assessment tools can contribute to better outcomes in the future. Research in this thesis indicates MDTs [Multidisciplinary Team] using risk assessment instruments can add value to programs that attempt to identify individuals who are more likely to commit extremism-inspired violence, but these techniques lack the precision necessary to justify preventive detention. This thesis introduces and recommends the use of a trusted contact model to visualize how stakeholders in an MDT framework interact. This thesis also recommends a threat assessment matrix to prioritize intervention efforts. The threat assessment matrix aligns a person's radical belief system with evidence of violent behavior to manage potential risks."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security

  Pendley, James Adam

  2018-03
• Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Subcommittee Interim Report and Recommendations, June 2016

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  From the Preface: "In November 2015, Jeh C. Johnson, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (the Department), directed the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC), to establish a subcommittee (Subcommittee) that is focused on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE). The Subcommittee was stood up to act as an incubator of ideas for the new Office for Community Partnerships (DHS/OCP), and has worked to leverage outside expertise and new thinking to support and enhance as well as assist in reframing and re-envisioning, where necessary the Department's CVE efforts. [...] This report focuses on the spread of violent extremist ideology and the recruitment of American youth to extremist groups, and how the Department can be a platform and and engine to leverage partnerships in the technology, health, education, communications, cultural, philanthropic, financial, and non-government sectors to counter such recruitment. While recognizing previous efforts - from those of the Spring 2010 Countering Violent Extremism Working Group to the more-recent Foreign Fighter Task Force - this report seeks to focus on discrete areas, separate and distinct than those undertaken in other efforts. "

  United States. Department of Homeland Security; President's Homeland Security Advisory Council (U.S.)

  2016-06
• Department of Homeland Security: Effectiveness of the Program to Prepare Communities for Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attacks and the Countering Violent Extremism Grant Program (Fiscal Year 2017 Report to Congress)

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  "I am pleased to present the following report, 'Effectiveness of the Program to Prepare Communities for Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attacks and the Countering Violent Extremism Grant Program,' which has been prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The report was compiled pursuant to language in Senate Report 114-264 accompanying the Fiscal Year 2017 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act (P.L. 115-31). Recent events have demonstrated that the threat of a terrorist attack haunts every community in our country. In the effort to achieve the National Preparedness Goal, FEMA seeks to enhance preparedness by assisting our communities to attain the core capabilities needed to prevent, protect, respond, mitigate, and recover from a complex coordinated terrorist attack (CCTA) and to prevent and intervene in the process of violent extremist radicalization and recruitment. Although the awards made under the CCTA and Countering Violent Extremism Grant Programs are still in the early stages of their performance periods, this report will provide the congressional requesters with sufficient information to provide a level of confidence that DHS has constructed the grant programs with effective programmatic and financial oversight and monitoring, as well as a mechanism and methodology that will provide an analysis of its effectiveness throughout and at the conclusion of the performance period."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security; United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency

  2018-06-26
• Guide to the Drivers of Violent Extremism

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  "This publication explores the drivers of violent extremism (VE), with special reference to the Muslim world in the past three decades. This publication's primary objectives are to summarize what we know, and what we do not know, about the drivers of violent Islamist extremism (VIE)1; to pinpoint recurrent drivers across a wide variety of countries, so as to clue the analyst confronted with a particular situation to some of the potentially relevant dynamics and factors; and to identify some of the most common misconceptions or pitfalls in the study of VIE, so as to avoid potentially counter-productive approaches when designing development assistance programs with a counter-extremism component. This Guide does not discuss programmatic implications -- which, for reasons of space, will be developed in a separate, stand-alone document. The Guide developed out of a comprehensive literature review. While it did not involve significant new data collection, it endeavored to take into account existing data in books, articles, surveys and policy reports. Much of what is known about VIE is based on the experience of countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). South Asia also represents a significant source of relevant information. By contrast, much less is known about VIE in sub-Saharan Africa -- which, in comparison to the MENA and South Asia regions, has been relatively sheltered from it. Inevitably, therefore, this document reflects the imbalance that exists in sources and expertise."

  United States. Agency for International Development

  2009-02