2. Definitional & Conceptual Problems
• Is “radicalization/deradicalization” the most
accurate description of the problem? Suggests
a false binary state.
• Radicals & moderates as another false
dichotomy
3. Approaches to Deradicalization
• “Hearts & Minds” – focus on counter-
narratives, war of ideas, etc.
• Socioeconomic/community development
approaches – i.e. fill their stomachs and the
hearts and minds will follow!
• Bolstering existing mainstream/moderate
institutions
4. Case Studies of Deradicalization
• Saudi Arabia (counseling & persuasion by
senior establishment clerics)
• Egypt (senior jihadi intellectuals “recant” after
government prompting)
• Indonesia
• Jemiah Islamiyaah (prison-based program of persuasion
by conservative scholars)
• Laskar Jihad (deradicalization as a result of changed
political/security environment)
5. Cases, contd.
• United Kingdom
• PREVENT & CONTEST
• Radical Middle Way
• Quilliam Foundation
– National scale agenda…
– vs. targeted, community-level intervention
– Potential unintended consequences of working
with group who have a communitarian (albeit
non-radical) agenda
6. Summary
• Importance of combining ideas-based
approaches with attention to socio-economic
circumstances & political problems
• Large scale, esp. national scope initiatives may
affect large numbers but have smaller and
potentially unsustainable impact; emphasis on
targeted, local approaches