Articles tagged with Terrorism
A systematic review of 68 studies finds varied psychological responses to collective trauma, with exposure intensity and social circumstances playing key roles. Social connection also offers protective benefits.
A new study of an Israeli hospital's response to the October 7 attacks reveals critical gaps in communication, staffing, logistics, and casualty distribution. The findings offer practical lessons that could help hospitals worldwide prepare for prolonged armed conflicts and other large-scale emergencies.
A new report by Brookings Institution suggests the US can improve its role in partners' conflicts by clearly communicating goals and persuading allies to adjust their strategies. Dafna Rand's research identified missteps and misunderstandings that undermined America's ability to manage and influence allies' strategies.
A UC3M study finds that crime rates are not linked to immigration status, but rather to demographic factors such as age and gender. The research also highlights the need to standardize crime rates to make valid comparisons and concludes that regularization policies can be effective security tools.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Edut 710 have partnered to create a groundbreaking AI-powered living archive, featuring nearly 2,000 survivor, witness, and first responder testimonies. The archive will enable users to search, translate, and explore the accounts through natural language, preserving authenticity and integrity.
A new study reanalyzes the Gaza Mortality Survey, identifying interviewer-level anomalies and inconsistencies with external demographic data. This raises concerns about the survey's representativeness and validity of its estimates of conflict-related deaths in Gaza.
The Handala hacker group, linked to Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security, uses cyberattacks to wage psychological warfare and conduct influence operations. Its primary objective is not to inflict significant damage but to create a sense of threat and insecurity, particularly in Israel.
A CDC study found that approximately half a million post-9/11 U.S. veterans had high blood pressure, highlighting the need for early prevention strategies. The study also revealed that Black veterans were more likely to have high blood pressure and women were often undiagnosed.
A new study found that nearly half of young survivors of the October 7 attacks developed atypical sensory patterns, causing everyday stimuli to be perceived as overwhelming threats. This altered sensory processing is directly tied to emotional distress and anxiety in children.
A new longitudinal study found that children's behavior problems are significantly linked to parental burnout, regardless of partner deployment status. Protecting children's resilience requires bolstering caregivers' emotional resources and external support to avoid burnout's negative impact on family well-being.
A study by City St George's criminologist Dr Tony Karas found that social media, particularly YouTube, was crucial in the radicalization process for 40 PA activists. The platform's autoplay function nudged them towards more extreme content, often with ethnonationalist views.
A study from the University of Kansas found that the kidnapping of Luis Manuel Díaz, father of Colombian soccer star Luis “Lucho” Díaz, resulted in coverage that portrayed his son as a national hero and cast doubt on peace negotiations. The media framing of the story had broader implications for the Total Peace initiative and the Petro...
A new study reveals that even seemingly well-intentioned initiatives to help the disadvantaged side of a conflict can produce negative consequences. When humanitarian aid is not coupled with genuine political change, it may lead to moral satisfaction and decreased support for meaningful concessions for peace.
A decade-long study found that children with early-developed empathy were more likely to experience anxiety and depression during the Israel-Hamas war, highlighting the dual role of empathy in mental health. The research suggests that empathy can be both a strength and a vulnerability in the face of mass trauma.
A new study by a team of researchers critically examines accusations that Israel committed crimes against humanity during the 2023-2025 Israel-Gaza War. The study highlights systemic failures in major international information bodies and calls for higher evidentiary standards in conflict reporting.
A study reveals how extremist groups exploit video games to recruit and radicalize impressionable users on gaming-adjacent platforms. The research highlights the challenges faced by moderators in detecting and reporting harmful content, and emphasizes the need for better understanding of these platforms and their subcultures.
The Taliban has chosen to maintain a delicate balance with local violent jihadi groups, prioritizing economic links and old ties over direct confrontation. This cooperation has significant security implications for the region and beyond.
The University of Exeter has unveiled a new Handbook providing practical guidance for states to develop or review their national positions on international law and cyber activities. The 176-page guide offers concrete and accessible steps for government lawyers, policy officials, academics, and experts in this rapidly evolving field.
A new study reveals that Israel's 2005 Gaza Disengagement Plan was a product of coordination between Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and international stakeholders. The plan, which was presented as unilateral, actually involved extensive negotiations behind the scenes.
A majority of Americans support the role of courts and Congress as checks on presidential power, with high trust in institutions and a desire for judicial independence. Trust in the U.S. Supreme Court has declined since the 2022 Dobbs decision, but remains higher than other branches of government.
Researchers found that cortisol levels were lower in survivors, while heart rate and blood pressure responses were altered. Interleukin 1B was significantly higher, suggesting potential long-term health problems despite healthy symptoms.
Research from Binghamton University finds that terrorist groups deliberately target vulnerable targets during crises to strike a balance between achieving objectives and preserving their reputation. Financial crises provide the best opportunity for attacks, while humanitarian crises tend to deter violence due to shared human suffering.
New research from Lancaster University highlights the devastating impact of the UK's unprecedented use of citizenship stripping on British children trapped in dire camps in North-East Syria. The study calls for a children's right approach to repatriation decision-making to ensure safe return and family reunification.
Researchers analyzed seismic data from southern Israel and found weak ground motions caused by Hamas forces' unusual vehicle movement. This breakthrough highlights the potential of using seismic data to provide early warnings for future terrorist activities.
A new paper reveals widespread transnational human rights violations (THRVs) due to repressive states' intensifying tactics. The authors urge the establishment of 'Transnational Rights Protection Offices' to provide support and guidance for individuals affected by these actions.
A new study reveals a significant evolution in the UN's approach to human rights, with growing emphasis on disability and business-related rights. The research highlights the importance of corporate responsibility and suggests a move toward a more comprehensive understanding of human rights that encompasses economic and social rights.
Research from the University of Birmingham found that British society has shifted towards 'situational heroism', where heroic actions and situational awareness are valued over traditional heroic figures. Ordinary people like Darryn Frost and Steve Gallant, who confronted a terrorist attacker, exemplify this new mode of heroism.
A study of social media posts from convicted far-right terrorists in the US and UK found signals that can predict when someone is likely to commit a terrorist act. Posts related to logistics, operational planning, and violent action marked individuals who went on to perpetrate terror offences.
The Temple of Bel in Palmyra faces significant damage after ISIS bombing, highlighting the need for its preservation and the return of the local population. The site's history and archaeological importance are crucial to stabilize, ensuring global cooperation and a shared ambition to protect the monument.
A new study reveals that US Islamist extremist groups are characterized by small, close-knit clusters of co-offenders who share similar characteristics. These relationships are shaped by mutual contacts, ideological affiliation, spatial proximity, and shared socio-cultural traits.
The UCDP recorded a record number of armed conflicts worldwide in 2023, with 59 conflicts involving states, and 20,900 deaths in non-state conflicts. The war in Ukraine was particularly deadly, with over 71,000 deaths, while the conflict in Israel resulted in over 22,000 deaths.
A new Dartmouth study has found that prolonged contact between locals and migrants in Afghanistan did not reduce prejudice against migrants. The researchers tested psychologist Gordon Allport's 'contact theory' through a vocational training program, but found that structural changes are needed to address the issue.
A new study by University of Portsmouth experts highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive reassessment of the Philippines' counter-terrorism strategy. The research found that the focus on combating the Abu Sayyaf Group has overshadowed persistent security threats posed by long-standing insurgent groups.
A RAND report reveals that many veterans who expressed support for extremist groups experienced significant negative events during military service, including interpersonal conflict, combat trauma, and physical abuse. These experiences often contributed to difficulties transitioning to civilian life and influenced their political views.
Researchers found a correlation between climatological variables and shifting patterns of terrorist activity in India. The study suggests that climate change is not just an environmental issue but also linked to national security.
Researchers developed a predictive model to detect users and content related to Islamic State extremists on social media, identifying potential propaganda messages and their characteristics. The study's findings can help social media companies and law enforcement agencies track and prevent the spread of extremist propaganda.
The Guantanamo Bay detention camp has held hundreds of individuals suspected of terrorism without charge or trial for up to 22 years. International human rights organizations have widely condemned the conditions, leading to calls for its closure. The facility's legacy highlights the need to balance security with human rights and dignity.
A new study reveals that international recognition played a crucial role in shaping Libya's conflict, with contact and support from other countries affecting political actors' identity, resources, and legitimacy. The study argues that non-recognition can create change and is geopolitically inevitable.
Research by the University of Exeter reveals that those with authoritarian political views are more concerned about terrorism and border control than new health pandemics. This study suggests COVID-19 does not disproportionately affect authoritarian concern for social divisions in British society.
Research reveals fake Australian IDs are widely sold on dark web marketplaces, used by crime rings and terrorists for various illicit activities. The study aims to inform law enforcement and security organisations in targeting specific types of fraud.
A study found that violent acts intended to provoke opposition may paradoxically lead to lasting acceptance of targeted communities. In New Zealand, a far-right extremist attack increased public acceptance of Muslims, particularly among conservatives.
Health experts at Rutgers University warn that fentanyl can be used for mass poisoning due to its high toxicity and widespread availability. The paper proposes training more caregivers to recognize signs of fentanyl poisoning and administering naloxone early to prevent harm.
A study by researchers at the University of Copenhagen found that violent extremism is largely driven by a perception of cultural threat, particularly among individuals with specific personality traits. The researchers identified the 'Need for Cognitive Closure' (NFC) as a key psychological mechanism behind this phenomenon.
A study by Bocconi University researchers found that terrorist attacks and perceived threats from ethnic minorities shifted German Twitter users' language towards the far-right AfD party. Voters rewarded the party at the 2017 election, with no traditional explanatory variable playing a role in the effect.
A new study by UMD criminologist Gary LaFree and former graduate student Bo Jiang found a link between rising sea surface temps and piracy. Rising temps caused an increase in piracy attacks in East Africa, while decreasing temps led to decreases in piracy attacks in the South China Sea due to changes in fish production.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University found that ridesharing platforms significantly outperformed traditional taxi systems during urban emergencies. The platforms' use of technology and elastic supply of vehicles and drivers enabled them to cope with uncertainties more effectively.
Researchers at Northumbria University have established a comprehensive database of ETA's activities, revealing 1,047 attacks and 957 confirmed fatalities between 1959 and 2010. The study's findings suggest the total number of victims could be significantly higher than previously acknowledged.
The study identifies four key drivers of political violence in the United States: toxic polarization, identity-based ideologies, erosion of democratic norms, and disinformation. These drivers contribute to increased acceptance of political violence and undermine democratic institutions.
A study examines the UN's terrorist list and its ombudsperson, highlighting problematic processes and potential flaws in the sanctions regime. The researcher argues that the ombudsperson embodies a new trend in international law, offering a compromise between Western standards for the rule of law and state interests.
A 10-year study found that aggressive law enforcement tactics can actually increase trade-based money laundering (TBML) in the EU, with up to 11% of all trade involving 'dirty' money
New research by Lancaster University and Bocconi University finds that Kenyan parents with access to mass media believe the risk of dying in a terrorist attack is 12 times larger than actual rates. This leads to children being kept out of schools, affecting their education and future earnings.
A new study published in the Journal of Policing, Intelligence & Counter-Terrorism found that most posts in extremist online forums are made by a clique of highly committed members. The research, led by Professor Stephane Baele and Dr Lewys Brace, analyzed over 12 million unique posts across eight far-right, seven Salafi-jihadist, and ...
The study found that Al-Qaeda, Taliban, and TTP use situational comedy to galvanize curious individuals and emphasize an 'us versus them' mentality. In contrast, ISIS uses dehumanising humour to mock rivals and create a shared identity among followers. This humour helps foster internal cohesion and creates social bonding.
A new study emphasizes the need for clearer guidelines on how countries like the UK, USA, and Australia will respond militarily to imminent armed attacks. The UN Charter requires a country to establish it has been attacked before responding in self-defence.
A study published in the International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice found that mass shootings in the US account for 73% of all incidents in developed countries, resulting in 816 deaths. The research identified distinct characteristics of US mass shootings, including ideological motives and relationship problems.
New research by Nicola Limodio finds that terrorist attacks are sensitive to local funding availability, with more attacks occurring in cities with higher funding. Financial counter-terrorism can be effective in limiting the ability of terrorist organizations to access funds.
A new study from Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital – Psychiatry has found that Danish patients with mental disorders experienced a worsening of symptoms in connection with the invasion of Ukraine. The study analyzed over 500,000 clinical notes from psychiatric hospitals in Denmark and identified a sharp increase in clini...
A new analysis suggests that ending automatic early release from prison for terrorists will undermine their rehabilitation and threaten their human rights. The study, published in Legal Studies, argues that the changes, known as TORERA 2020, create a 'cliff-edge' in managing the risks of releasing terrorists.
This study of 2.5 million military veterans found a significant association between traumatic brain injury and increased mortality rates compared to the general US population. The study highlights the long-term health risks faced by veterans who served after 9/11.
Researchers at George Washington University found that mainstream parenting communities were exposed to misinformation from alternative health and anti-vaccination communities on Facebook. The study reveals how social media machinery can pull these communities closer to extremes, highlighting the need for a new strategy to combat onlin...