Incitement: Anwar al-Awlaki's Western Jihad

This is the definitive account of the career of Anwar al-Awlaki, the most influential Western exponent of violent jihad. Drawing on extensive research among al-Awlaki’s followers, including interviews with convicted terrorists, Alexander Meleagrou-Hitchens explains how the radical preacher established his network and why his message resonated.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 29 May 2020
Publisher: Harvard University Press

Anwar al-Awlaki, a prominent figure in the world of violent jihad, has left a lasting legacy that is explored in depth in Alexander Meleagrou-Hitchens' book. According to one of his followers, he was instrumental in translating the concept of jihad into English, making it accessible to a broader audience. By the time of his death in 2011, al-Awlaki had become a spiritual leader for thousands of extremists, particularly in the United States and Britain. His goal was to make violent Islamism as American as apple pie and as British as afternoon tea.

Meleagrou-Hitchens conducted extensive research, including interviews with convicted terrorists, to understand how al-Awlaki established his network and why his message resonated with disaffected Muslims in the West. The book provides a comprehensive account of al-Awlaki's life, from his early years in New Mexico to his rise as a prominent figure in the world of jihad.

Al-Awlaki's journey began in 2001 when he became the imam of a mosque in Virginia, where three of the 9/11 hijackers attended. He quickly gained a reputation for delivering radical and anti-Western lectures and sermons, which attracted a growing following. In 2002, he left for Britain, where he continued to spread his message through various channels, including live video broadcasts to Western mosques and universities, YouTube, magazines, and other media.

Al-Awlaki's influence was evident in the number of Islamists he was linked to who were convicted of terrorism-related offenses in the United States since 2007. His strategy and tactics were rooted in traditional social-movement theory, according to Meleagrou-Hitchens. He argues that violent fundamentalists are born out of a combination of factors, including social isolation, political grievances, and a sense of religious righteousness.

The book also delves into al-Awlaki's personal life, including his upbringing in a conservative Muslim family and his education in the United States. It sheds light on his conversion to Islam and his journey toward radicalism, which was influenced by his interactions with other Muslims who were seeking a more extreme interpretation of the religion.

Despite the extreme nature of al-Awlaki's activities, Meleagrou-Hitchens argues that his strategy and tactics are best understood through traditional social-movement theory. He provides a clear and concise account of how al-Awlaki built his network and recruited followers, using a combination of online and offline tactics. The book also explores the challenges faced by counterterrorism agencies in tracking and disrupting al-Awlaki's network, highlighting the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach.

In conclusion, Alexander Meleagrou-Hitchens' book provides a definitive account of the career and legacy of Anwar al-Awlaki, the most influential Western exponent of violent jihad. Through extensive research and analysis, the book sheds light on the factors that contributed to al-Awlaki's rise to prominence and his impact on the world of Islamism. It is a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of violent extremism.

Weight: 548g
Dimension: 147 x 217 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674979505