Strategies to Counteract Online Radicalization

Strategies to reproductionact Online RadicalizationCHAPTER 2LITERATURE REVIEWThe purpose of this study is to value subsisting Bangladeshi efforts to comeback topicization through the net profit, identify its weaknesses, and explore opportunities. This enquiry will analyze the significant aspects of successful counter radicalization models of different countries, and show ways to incorporate those in Bangladesh to develop a coherent anti-radicalization strategy. Initially, this lit review will discuss the concept of radicalization through the cyberspace. It will let in the readers to follow the subsequent analysis and the suggestions to develop a mechanism in Bangladesh to counter this menace.The literature review is divided into three voices understanding online radicalization, online radicalization from a Bangladeshi perspective, and significant aspects of successful international anti-radicalization programs. Understanding online radicalization will see to it the potential power of the profit to influence people and the solve of radicalization. The section on online radicalization from a Bangladeshi perspective will at first of all, shortly assess the relevant threats in Bangladesh and will then, identify and evaluate the existing programs of countering online radicalization. The final section will study the strategies adopted by federal official Bureau of Investigation (FBI), The U.S. National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), and the current programs undertaken by Malaysia and Indonesia. These devil countries of S kayoedheast Asia nonplus been selected due to unearthly and cultural similarities, and geographical proximity. Their programs come to the fore to be effective against online radicalization.Understanding Online RadicalizationThe internet appears to make up more opportunities to hold up radicalized. M either scholarly articles ascribe a role to the internet in promoting radicalization1. Those studies suggest that the internet acts as an accelerant, and has broken the traditional barriers to radicalize respective(prenominal)s2. In this regard, Gabriel Weimanns fright on the network The New Arena, The New Challenges counts the number of sacksites of terrorist groups and reviews their circumscribe3. In his article, Weimann points to the proliferation of extremists web sites. He founds, by the end of 1999, almost all terrorist groups established their online presence. several(predicate) empirical studies suggest, at that place is a correlation between extremists web sites and online propaganda, and speedy radicalization.The internet enables the terrorists to telescope an separate(prenominal)wise unr separatelyable singulars. The reach of the internet has cloud-covered the geographic barriers, and connected the distant individuals in the virtual world. gibe von Neumann in his research points that the internet allows the terrorists to reach those individuals who would not conduct been affable in any other way4. For example, Anwar al-Awlaki5 successfully created online contents such as Inspire that advocates jihad from home. Ines von Behr asserts, these kind of online materials have broaden the scope to reach any people, and their appealing contents create more chance to institute radical ideas among the individuals6.The internet creates opportunities to radicalize a wider range of people from all societies. Rachel and Strugnell identify, beside removing the geographic barrier, the internet has erased the social and gender barriers as intumesce to spreadinghead extremist ideologies. They highlight on the internet created scope to reach and radicalize the women7. In many another(prenominal) societies, it may be difficult for women to meet personally with male extremists or work with them it may also be difficult for the women to express genuine thoughts in public. However, the internet allows them greater anonymity8. Some authors opine, the internet benefits the introvert individuals who ar seeking the radical ideas by creating a scope to access any content privately9. Jerome Bjelopera says, the characteristics of the internet allows a relative advantage to the terrorists in the deliver days than their previous generations by fading the lines between countries, societies, and genders10. The internet provides mantic anonymity and a degree of protection and security from detection11.The internet accelerates the lick of radicalization. Bjelopera terms the internet as an echo chamber12. It means, people who be searching any radical ideas to support their sketchy thoughts be wishly to capture approximately reinforcing contents on the internet due to its massive storage. The internet is a kind of one-stop shop for all the information that an individual may seek to underline his radical ideas that expedites his radicalization process. The virtual world reduces the timeframe of radicalization process as opposed to the actual world. Anthony Bergin i n his study refers the internet as a conveyor belt that accelerates the radicalization process by providing instantaneous and continuous tie-up to any violent idea13. Raffaello Pantucci further highlights the internets role in incubating and accelerating radicalization14. Robert Schmidle points that, the chat board in particular be effective for the extremists since they can exchange ideas with like-minded individuals 24/7 regardless of borders15. at that placefore, the internet expedites the radicalization process of any individual by offering varieties of contents and continuous interaction.The internet allows radicalization to occur without physiologic contact. Yeap and Park explain, the internet enables any individual to access radical contents from their personal space instead of attending a radical religious gathering16. Therefore, an individual need only the internet connection, physical travelling to other location is no more internal. Though the internet reduces hurdl es to interaction, hardly a(prenominal) scholars may argue that human interaction is necessary for radicalization. However, Behr says, in a digital era the online activities may be considered as an extension of the realistic lives, and physical connection is no more essential17. Beside the actual world, personal human relationship may grow in the virtual world as well. Thus, Mitchell Silber and Arvin Bhatt asserts, radicalization on the internet is not necessarily any different to what would happen with other more private and less visible sources18. Besides, the internet increases opportunities for self-radicalization. It is a process where an individual gradually become radicalized by himself 19. Hence, the internet creates opportunities of radicalization without human interaction.An individual move through several phases as he becomes radicalized through the cyberspace. In a New York Police Department radicalization case study, Silber and Bhatt identify quadruplet phases of ra dicalization pre-radicalization, self-identification, indoctrination and jihadization20. The case study recognizes the impact of the internet on the radicalization process as an individual looking for an identity and a cause21. The internet facilitates in each of the stages to instruct, socialize, indoctrinate and recruit22. The FBI has also created a radicalization model similar to that of the NYPD. The FBI model has quatern stages pre-radicalization, identification, indoctrination and action23. These categories atomic number 18 almost similar to NYPD. The diagram below illustrates the Moghaddams staircase to radicalization where the online contents play a complementary roleMoghaddam stairway to RadicalizationSource Moghaddam, Fathali M. The Staircase to terrorism, A Psychological Exploration, Vol. 60, No. 2, American Psychologist, 2005.Online Radicalization in Bangladeshi positionTerrorists Approach and their Target AudienceIn Bangladesh, few religion found terrorist organizat ions have gained capabilities to develop and spread their radical messages online. They have attracted public and media attendance through their activities and propagation. Besides, few leftist political groups are also nerve-wracking to develop their online capabilities. At present 13 terrorist organizations are operating actively and 29 others are operating covertly using fake credentials24. The special(a) Branch of Bangladesh Police has provided the names of eight terrorist organizations to Home Ministry who are rattling active on the internet Ansarullah Bangla Team, Allahr Dal, Islamic Solidarity Front, Tamiruddin Bangladesh, Tawhidee Trust, Hiz just now-Tawhid, Shahdat-e-Nabuwat and Jamat-as-Sadat. Five of these terrorist organizations have already been banned by the government, and eight more are yet to be banned25. These groups may have significant investment, some(prenominal) human and financial, to build their online capacities.The terrorist groups of Bangladesh appear to be active on the internet, particularly in Facebook and YouTube, to spread radical preaching. This is safer, and lower possibility of being tracked by the law enforcing agencies. Farooq opines, the online propaganda of the terrorists in Bangladesh have become more organized, and appealing to their targets26. Arman claims that the terrorists try to exploit the ethno-religious opinion of the people while ontogeny their messages, and appeal to their believes to embed their radical ideas27. everywhere the last few years, hate speeches and violent ideologies that spread through the internet triggered a number of terrorist attacks and communal violence in Bangladesh. This was evident in Ramu and Pabna incidents where mass attacks were carried out on religious minority people. In both cases, unidentified persons using pseudonyms posted doctored photos and messages on the Facebook defaming Islam that agitated people28. genial media have become the easiest means to spread radical ide as in Bangladesh.Bangladeshi youths are particularly vulnerable to online radicalization due to neediness of cyber awareness. Farooq in his study opines, the terrorists depend to target the educated youths by spreading appealing messages on the Internet29. It is easier to radicalize the youths than the elders since they are more connected to the online world. Farooq also opines, many Bangladeshi youths at first just curiously run across radical contents, and gradually descent into the traps unconsciously. The concept of cyber awareness and related programs seem insufficient in Bangladesh. As a result, neither the youths nor their parents or guardians are aware about the online traps. at one time after the terrorist attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery restaurant, RAB released a list of 261 missing youths across the country30. These missing youths are suspected to have joined various terrorist groups.The terrorists in Bangladesh attempt to build their radical narratives ground on r eligious and socio-political contentious issues. Nirmal Ghosh opines, though Bangladesh is politically a blase country, the terrorist appeal to the Muslim majority population to make it an Islamic relegate under Sariah law31. They seem to exploit the religious sentiment of the people. These groups intentionally create fake photos with radical messages such as prosecution of Muslim Rohingyas and spread those on social media to instill communal violence in the country32. Furthermore, the extremists adeptly innovation radical narratives on socio-economic disparity and political issues to create sympathizers.Bangladeshi Counter Radicalization ProgramsThe Bangladesh government has implemented several plans and strategies to counter radicalization in the country. However, Abul Kalam argues that, the government has largely implemented coercive approaches to minimize the terrorist threats33. Aynul Islam in his article, categorizes the government initiatives into two types useable drive s by the law and security forces, and legal initiatives34. The law enforcement agencies have achieved some success in disrupting few of the extremist groups. Many extremist leading and activists have been arrested, put under trial. However, the terrorists online activities apparently remain undisrupted due to lack of government action. The National Monitoring Cell (NMC) monitors the rummy online activities, but it has control capacity and expert workforce. The government effort to shut down or censor few websites seem not very effective, because extremists innovate wise ways to reach people. Moreover, it is difficult to identify and stop secret groups in social net on the job(p) sites that contains radical ideas.Bangladesh government has enacted a few legislations to ensure the cyber security. Bangladesh telecom Regulatory Act 2001, The ICT Act 2006, Digital Security Act 2016 (Draft) are at present the main legislations of Bangladesh to enforce cyber security. On 11 June 2008, the Anti- terrorist act regularization 2008 was approved by the government, and was amended in 201335. The new counter terrorism legislation has kept maximum punishment a death conviction for terrorist activities. However, in most cases the laws have not been enforced against persons who carry out propaganda in the cyberspace.Bangladesh has number of agencies with counterterrorism cells. Islam opines, capabilities and activities of these agencies are not orchestrated36. Their roles are not specified, and efforts are fragmented. The Bangladesh Police, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), armed forces and apprehension agencies are chiefly responsible for fighting terrorism. All of these forces have counter terrorism cells, but they work separately. He further argues that, the police are not well equipped and trained to deal with the new trends of online terrorism. The intelligence agencies are essential apparatus in support of running(a) activities. The Na tional Security news show (NSI), the Directorate General of Forces apprehension (DGFI), Special Branch (SB) of Police and the RAB intelligence wing have been working in Bangladesh to identify the potential threat sources. There is no set mechanism through which the forces can cope intelligence and coordinate their collection efforts. In May 2004, NSI constituted a separate personify called counter terrorism cell to identify specific risk population and areas, and threat groups. The counter terrorism bureau of DGFI, has been working to evaluate, analyze, and frame counter terrorism policy at strategic and operational level37. Nonetheless, there is no overarching organization to synchronize these wide varieties of organizations in the country38.Islam in his article, Mapping Terrorism Threats in Bangladesh, identifies few key deficiencies of Bangladeshi programs to stay fresh radicalization39. First, Bangladesh has no set mechanism to monitor the internet for preventing radical i deas. He opines that there is a lack of knowledge and understanding of the threats that can spread through online. Neither the country has sufficient technological and organizational expertise, nor it has executable international cooperation for capacity building. Second, the law enforcement agencies do not have shoemakers last link with the other service sectors or private sectors to identify suspicious activities. Third, the Bangladesh government is not sufficiently addressing strategic issues like de-radicalization and counter ideology. Fourth, there is a very limited initiative to educate professional groups like academics, media community, service sector officials, and political leaders to create general awareness. There is almost no community based programs in the country for developing cyber awareness. Fifth, the government overemphasizes coercive approaches in dealing with terrorism issues. There is no dedicated research institution in the government to provide assemblage for understanding and research on critical issues of terrorism like online radicalization. Although the counter terrorism bureau of DGFI is responsible for policy related activities, it is barely feasible to formulate a viable strategy by a body of armed forces alone. Finally, he mentions that, in Bangladesh, strategies and policies are highly bureaucratic, ambiguous, and unaccountable40.References1 Precht, Tomas. Homegrown Terrorism and Islamist Radicalisation in Europe From Conversion to Terrorism. An Assessment of the Factors Influencing Violent Islamist Extremism and Suggestions for Counter Radicalisation Measures, Copenhagen Danish Ministry of Defence, 2008.2 Pantucci, Raffaello. A Typology of Lone Wolves Preliminary Analysis of Lone Islamist Terrorists. Developments in Radicalisation and political Violence, global Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence, 2011.3 Weimann, Gabriel. Terror on the Internet The New Arena, The New Challenges. Washington, DC United States lay down of Peace Press, 2006.4 Neumann, Peter R. Options and Strategies for Countering Online Radicalization in the United States. Studies in Conflict Terrorism, 2013.5 Anwar al-Awlaki was a spokesperson and recruiter for Al Qaida.6 Ines von Behr, Anas Reding, Charlie Edwards, Luke Gribbon. Radicalisation in The Digital Era. RAND Corporation, 2103. 17.7 Briggs, Rachel and Alex Strugnell. Radicalisation The Role of the Internet. insurance Planners Network running(a) Paper, London initiate for Strategic Dialogue, 2011.8 Schmidle, Robert E. Positioning conjecture and Terrorist Networks. Journal for the surmisal of Social Behaviour, Vol. 40, No. 1, 2009, 65.9 Torok, Robyn. Make a Bomb in Your Mums Kitchen Cyber Recruiting and socialising of White Moors and Home Grown Jihadists. Edith Cowan University Research Online, 2010.10 Bjelopera, Jerome P. American Jihadist Terrorism Combating a Complex Threat. relation backional Research Service Report for Congress, Washing ton, DC Congress Research Service, 2011, 101-102.11 Weimann. Terror on the Internet The New Arena, The New Challenges.12 Bjelopera. 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