Research, ideas, and leadership for a more secure, peaceful world

Past Event
Seminar

The Boys: Ideological Extremism and Islamist In-fighting in the Somali Civil War

Open to the Public

The radicalization of domestic Islamist groups in weak or failed states is one of the most serious international security concerns in the world today. What causes some of these groups to adopt transnational political agendas and identities, while others maintain a nationalist focus? Why do some insurgent groups seek affiliations with transnational extremists, while others abjure such ties? To examine these questions, this seminar will track the ideological evolution of the Islamist insurgency in Somalia from 2006–2013.

Please join us! Coffee and tea provided. Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come–first served basis.

Date: Time: - Location: Littauer Building - Belfer Center Library, Room 369
Ali Rage with recruits for Jaysh al-Hisba (Army of Verification) — a kind of police force, February 2011.

About

The radicalization of domestic Islamist groups in weak or failed states is one of the most serious international security concerns in the world today. What causes some of these groups to adopt transnational political agendas and identities, while others maintain a nationalist focus? Why do some insurgent groups seek affiliations with transnational extremists, while others abjure such ties?

This research proposes that intra-Islamist fighting within a civil-war context is an important determinant in the decision to adopt a transnational identity. To examine this hypothesis against other competing explanations, the research tracks the ideological evolution of the Islamist insurgency in Somalia from 2006–2013.

Please join us! Coffee and tea provided. Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come–first served basis.