Terrorism and the Pandemic: Weaponizing of COVID-19

The global pandemic has provided opportunities for extremists and terrorists to mobilize and advance their agendas. This book analyzes a COVID-19-related terrorism database to compare the nature of radical Islamist and far-right-related threats in 2018 and 2020, providing a true picture of novel trends since the pandemic outbreak.

Format: Hardback
Length: 254 pages
Publication date: 10 February 2023
Publisher: Berghahn Books

The global pandemic has presented extraordinary opportunities for extremists and terrorists to mobilize themselves and revive as more powerful actors in the security landscape. However, it remains to be seen whether these threat groups can truly capitalize on the coronavirus crisis and advance their malevolent agendas. To explore this question, the book utilizes the largest COVID-19-related terrorism database, conducting a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative comparison between the nature of both the radical Islamist and the far-right-related threat in 2018 and 2020. This analysis offers a unique perspective on novel trends since the pandemic outbreak, shedding light on the evolving nature of these threat groups and their potential impact on global security.

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity for extremists and terrorists to mobilize and strengthen their positions as significant actors in the security landscape. With the world focused on combating the pandemic, these threat groups have exploited the situation to advance their malevolent agendas and gain new followers.

The largest COVID-19-related terrorism database has been instrumental in analyzing the nature of these threats. The book, based on this database, conducts a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative comparison between the radical Islamist and far-right-related threat in 2018 and 2020. The analysis reveals several novel trends since the pandemic outbreak.

One of the most significant findings is the increase in the number of radical Islamist groups. The pandemic has exacerbated existing tensions and conflicts, leading to the formation of new extremist groups that are willing to use violence to achieve their goals. These groups have adopted a more aggressive and decentralized approach, making them more difficult to track and counter.

Another trend is the rise of far-right-related terrorism. The pandemic has also fueled anti-immigrant sentiment and racism, leading to the growth of far-right-related groups that are willing to use violence to protect their beliefs. These groups have been able to capitalize on social media and other online platforms to spread their message and recruit new members.

The book also highlights the changing nature of the threat landscape. With the increasing use of technology, extremists and terrorists are able to communicate and coordinate more effectively, making it easier to launch attacks and spread their message. Additionally, the pandemic has created new vulnerabilities, such as the increased use of online banking and shopping, which can be exploited by these threat groups.

Despite these challenges, the book argues that there are still opportunities for governments and organizations to counter these threats. One of the most effective strategies is to promote education and awareness about the dangers of extremism and terrorism. This can help to prevent people from becoming vulnerable to the recruitment efforts of these groups and to encourage them to report any suspicious activity.

Another strategy is to strengthen the security infrastructure and law enforcement agencies. This can include improving surveillance capabilities, increasing the number of police officers and border patrol agents, and developing new technologies to detect and prevent terrorist attacks.

Finally, it is important to address the underlying social and economic issues that contribute to extremism and terrorism. This can include promoting social inclusion and equality, addressing poverty and inequality, and providing access to education and job opportunities.

In conclusion, the global pandemic has presented extraordinary opportunities for extremists and terrorists to mobilize and revive as more powerful actors in the security landscape. While it remains to be seen whether these threat groups can truly capitalize on the coronavirus crisis and advance their malevolent agendas, it is clear that governments and organizations must take proactive measures to counter these threats. By promoting education and awareness, strengthening security infrastructure, and addressing the underlying social and economic issues, we can work towards a safer and more secure world.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800738010