Western Jihadism: A Thirty Year History

Jytte Klausen's book explores how Islamist revolutionaries in the 1990s created and controlled Al Qaeda, which was nearly destroyed after the 9/11 attacks. She argues that the diffusion of Islamist terrorism to Europe and North America is driven by the strategic priorities of the international Salafi-jihadist revolutionary movement, which has adapted to Western repertoires of protest. Jihadist groups continue to recruit new adherents in Europe and North America, appealing to disaffected Muslims and alienated converts. Klausen's book is the most comprehensive account of the origins of Western jihadism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 560 pages
Publication date: 24 August 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

This book delves into the intricate story of Al Qaeda's rise in the West, providing a forensic and compelling account of its origins and development. Author Jytte Klausen meticulously traces the journey of Islamist revolutionaries who were exiled in Europe and North America in the 1990s, their role in creating and controlling one of the world's most influential terrorist movements, and their resilience in rebuilding the organization following the 9/11 attacks. Klausen demonstrates that the diffusion of Islamist terrorism to Europe and North America was not driven by local grievances of Western Muslims but rather by the strategic priorities of the international Salafi-jihadist revolutionary movement. This movement has adapted its tactics to Western repertoires of protest, advocating for armed insurrection and religious revivalism under the guise of a warped version of Islam.

Despite facing significant setbacks, Al Qaeda and its affiliates, including the Islamic State, have shown remarkable resilience. Jihadist groups continue to recruit new adherents, utilizing various strategies such as street-side recruitment in neighborhoods, jails, and online platforms. Klausen's book adopts a comparative and historical approach, employing cutting-edge analytical tools and drawing on her extensive database of up to 6,500 Western jihadist extremists and their networks. This comprehensive account provides a deep understanding of the origins of Western jihadism and its significant role in the global movement of terrorism.

Weight: 1066g
Dimension: 167 x 242 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198870791