Extremism

Canadian Intelligence Identifies Key Trends in Terrorist Mobilization to Violence

For many “radicalized” and “violent” are the same, but for those studying terrorists and their process of radicalization there is a distinct final step that mobilizes a “radical believer” into performing an act of violence. To further this understanding, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) released a number of key findings on this phenomenon in Canada.

CSIS developed the study, Mobilization to Violence Terrorist Research, to understand how a person mobilizes to terrorism and found factors related to both an individual mobilizing as a “lone wolf” and mobilizing in a group.

“Radicalization is a highly individualized process through which a person becomes convinced that violence is a legitimate (and eventually individually obligated) means to advance their ideological cause or beliefs,” says the study. “It is influenced by factors such as personal history, peer pressure, grievances, charismatic ideologues and international events.”

There is no single characteristic or even group of characteristics like age, gender or socioeconomic background. Rather, analysts looked for threat-related activities to determine intent in addition to capability, preparation, and planning.