Islamic-Inspired Home-Grown Terrorism (IIHGT): What We Know and What It Means Moving Forward

Authors

  • Michael G. Zekulin Department of Political Science, University of Calgary

Abstract

Since 9/11, Western democracies are increasingly targeted by what
has been termed Islamic-inspired Home-grown terrorism (IIHGT). This paper
investigates what we really know about this more recent phenomenon and
reveals several interesting, potentially troubling, findings. Canadian, American
and Australian cases demonstrate that IIHGT actually takes many different
forms, depending on endgame, size, organization, and scale and sophistication.
It also identifies that despite consistent changes and shifts in form, IIHGT does
not follow a clearly identifiable or linear trajectory, making the identification of
trends moving forward very difficult. The paper concludes that while IIHGT
generally seems to be devolving, this might be portrayed instead as an evolution
because the transformation, more likely inadvertent than intentional, will
make these types of plots more difficult to identify, monitor and prevent, thus
improving the likelihood they will become increasingly successful in the future.

Author Biography

Michael G. Zekulin, Department of Political Science, University of Calgary

Michael G. Zekulin received his Phd from the University of Calgary in 2012 and currently
teaches International Relations courses in the Department of Political Science. His dissertation
focused on the emerging threat posed by Islamic-inspired Homegrown terrorism
(IIHGT) and how it manifests itself differently from previous types of terrorism discussed
in the literature. His overall research focuses on areas related to international security,
international and domestic terrorism, counterterrorism policy and radicalization. His current
research further investigates the different IIHGT endgames identified in this paper.
It asks questions surrounding the decision making processes of individuals involved in
IIHGT specifically why some choose to attack their own state, why some travel abroad and
join groups to fight, and why some choose to passively provide support.

Downloads

Published

2013-12-23

Issue

No. 8 (2013): Occasional Paper No. 8 (2013): Islamic-Inspired Home-Grown Terrorism (IIHGT)

Section

Calgary Papers