Diverting the Radicalization Track

In: Policy review: the journal of American citizenship, Heft 154

Abstract

Asserts that confronting violent & radical Muslim extremism requires breaking the connection between such movements & potential new recruits. At issue is ensuring that US public diplomacy targets the likeliest recruits, ie, disaffected youth & those who influence them. It is argued that winning hearts & minds, an idealistic goal, should not distract from the more immediate & realistic goal of distracting vulnerable population segments from the extremist recruitment process. This can be achieved, it is asserted, by providing locally driven & disseminated alternatives. Challenges include the fact that the US is late to arrive in a field well-represented by al Qaeda & other groups; however, digital technology, particularly the Internet, is seen to offer the US an opportunity to reach at-risk youth. It is contended US citizens must play a role in engaging with other populations, while credible local entities & individuals must be a key part in challenging extremism. How the US government can partner with the private sector to reach at-risk populations is explained. In closing, some thoughts are offered on how to proceed with initiatives & on seeing radicalization as more than simply an Islamist phenomenon. D. Edelman