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Understanding Terrorism in the UK

Understanding Terrorism in the UK. Dr. Douglas Weeks Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence University of St Andrews. Today’s Discussion. Brief historical view of terrorism in the UK

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Understanding Terrorism in the UK

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  1. Understanding Terrorism in the UK Dr. Douglas Weeks Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence University of St Andrews

  2. Today’s Discussion • Brief historical view of terrorism in the UK • Assessment of the evolution of terrorism and political violence in Northern Ireland • Impact of local and external factors on the domestic terrorist threat • The role of prevention and de-radicalisation Dr. Douglas Weeks, 29 April 2014

  3. Britain’s Rich History of Terrorism • Gun Powder Plot of 1605 • Attempted bombing of Parliament • The Fenians 1858 • Dynamite Campaign to end English rule • The Anarchists (late 19th cent) • Stateless societies Dr. Douglas Weeks, 29 April 2014

  4. Britain’s Rich History of Terrorism • Easter Uprising of 1916 • Opportunism • Partial Irish independence • The Troubles • Initially low intensity • 1969 military curfew • Legislative response • Escalation • Targeting • Engagement 1988 • Good Friday Agreement 1998 Dr. Douglas Weeks, 29 April 2014

  5. Northern Ireland StatisticsSource: CNN • Incidents • 14,528 Bombings • 29,570 Shootings • Human toll • 3,636 killed • 36,000 wounded (CNN) • Army and Police targeted • 301 RUC killed • 443 Soldiers killed • 4 Firefighters killed Dr. Douglas Weeks, 29 April 2014

  6. Post Trouble StatisticsSource: PSNI • Incidents • 1,359 Bombings • 2,206 Shootings • Human toll • 94 civilians killed • 2,444 wounded (CNN) • Army and Police targeted • 2 PSNI killed • 2 Soldiers killed Dr. Douglas Weeks, 29 April 2014

  7. Assessment of the Evolution of Terrorism and Political Violence in Northern Ireland • Sectarian violence continues • Incidents, deaths and injury increased in 2001 and again in 2009 • Overall the trend continues downward • Community support is lacking Dr. Douglas Weeks, 29 April 2014

  8. Evolution of Islamist Groups • UK radical/extremist networks (1980s and 1990s) • Legislative environment • TA 2000 • War on Terror • July 7, 2005 • CONTEST • Counter-movements Dr. Douglas Weeks, 29 April 2014

  9. Impact of Local and External Factors on the Domestic Terrorist Threat • International events • Establishes purpose • Domestic policy • Radicalises, recruits, and furthers extremism Dr. Douglas Weeks, 29 April 2014

  10. The Role of Prevention • Prevention is key • Definitions are problematic Radicalisation refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and forms of extremism leading to terrorism (CONTEST, 2011, pg. 36). Dr. Douglas Weeks, 29 April 2014

  11. De-Radicalisation • Definitions are problematic • Government shortfalls Dr. Douglas Weeks, 29 April 2014

  12. Thank You! Questions? Contact Details Dr. Douglas Weeks dw363@st-andrews.ac.uk Dr. Douglas Weeks, 29 April 2014

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