Understanding Islamist Terrorism in Europe: Drugs, Jihad, and the Pursuit of Martyrdom

This book argues that guilt, shame, and remorse, associated with a history of substance abuse, explain why a minority of Islamist extremists carried out suicide terrorism in Europe between 2001 and 2018. It provides an exhaustive account of how and why Islamist terrorism has occurred in Europe, drawing on terrorist discourse, court transcripts, elite interviews, government reports, and three years of ethnography. The first theory argues that most of these men first engaged in Islamist extremism as an alternative to substance abuse, while the second contends that cognitive dissonance triggered guilt, shame, and remorse over previous misconduct, leading to suicide terrorism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 190 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Since the events of 9/11, Islamist terrorism has been a dominant force in the European security landscape. However, there has been a lack of systematic analysis of both the attacks and the individuals responsible for these acts. This book aims to fill that gap by providing an exhaustive account of how and why Islamist terrorism has occurred in Europe.

The book conducts a detailed analysis of 48 terrorist attacks carried out by 80 suicide terrorists. Through this analysis, the book introduces two new theories. The first theory suggests that many of these men initially turned to Islamist extremism as an alternative to substance abuse. The second theory posits that cognitive dissonance, triggered by guilt, shame, and remorse over previous misconduct, led to suicide terrorism.

The book argues that the root cause of suicide terrorism in Europe is not necessarily politics or religion but rather personal crisis and a search for redemption. The individuals involved in these attacks are often driven by a desire to escape their past mistakes and find meaning in their lives. They are drawn to Islamist extremism as a way to confront their emotional distress and find a sense of purpose.

The book will be of great interest to students of terrorism/counterterrorism, de-radicalization, political Islam, and security studies in general. It provides valuable insights into the motivations and dynamics of suicide terrorism and offers potential solutions to address this growing threat.

In conclusion, this book is a valuable contribution to the field of terrorism/counterterrorism and offers a fresh perspective on the root causes of suicide terrorism in Europe. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of this issue and developing effective strategies to counter it.

Weight: 380g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032040257