The monograph analyses the origins of the use of violence in the name of religion by the Salafist movement in Europe in order to enable identification of key characteristics to shape national strategies of prevention that are appropriate for tackling the root causes of Islamist violence that threatens UK national interests. The study shows how the interplay between the social, political and militant elements of the movement have given rise to the jihadist faction whose spread to the UK has been the result both of economic migration and as a response to the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. Historical analysis demonstrates how the Muslim population in Europe has developed a separate identity from that of its adopted states and identifies three strands of radical Suuni Islamist thought and practice that challenge the West. Analysis points up a range of individual motivations to radical actions for which there is some pattern but an insufficiently consistent profile to offer opportunities for proactive targeting, and a broad strategic logic based on the cost effectiveness of the suicide technique when linked to religious or political goals. In framing strategies government should therefore be less concerned with general deprivation or individual pathologies than with the broader scope of individual motivations, the strategic logic of group action and the need to empower more moderate, purist elements at the expense of the jihadists. The principles of contemporary counterinsurgency thinking are applied to the characterisation already developed to formulate policies that are based upon isolating terrorists from their ideological, psychological and physical support while terrorist supporters are integrated back into the broader community. Recognition is given to the domestic impact of world events that flow from globalisation and the need to reframe foreign policies that take account of this mirror effect on the electorate. Immigration policies are identified as a key to reducing division, encouraging tolerance and mutual respect within the firm principle of allegiance to the nation state while preventing the creation of separate communities; this concept is described as 'constructive pluralism.'

Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)