Australian Counter Terrorism Conference

Al-Jihad Fi Sabilillah: in the Heart of Green Birds

Robyn Torok — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:20:30 PST

With an increasing focus on lone-wolf operations, al-Qaeda is becoming increasingly focussed on its internet discourses and propaganda. One of its most significant discourses is the importance of jihad and martyrdom in carrying out a terrorist attack. This study looks at Facebook pages and profiles and examines the discourses presented in relation to jihad and martyrdom. Three important concepts including their justification are considered: Al-Jihad fi Sabilillah (just fight for the sake of Allah), Istishhad (operational heroism of loving death more than the West love life) and Shaheed (becoming a martyr). Results supported previous studies indicating the strong seductive nature of such discourses. Although many discourses were similar to previous studies, several key differences were noted; namely, different emphasises within the concept of Shaheed as well as a strong focus on green bird imagery which became prominent during the Bosnian conflict. Understanding such discourses will be critical in not only preventing terrorism, but also in the developing better deradicalisation strategies.

Commitment and the 1% Motorcycle Club: Threats to the Brotherhood

Kira J. Harris — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:20:29 PST

The brotherhood ethos is the founding principle of the 1% motorcycle clubs community. Interviews with former members and partners show how threatening this social bond can reduce satisfaction and lead to doubts over involvement with the club.

Boko Haram: Terrorist Organization, Freedom Fighters or Religious Fanatics? An Analysis of Boko Haram Within Nigeria, an Australian Perspective and the Need for Counter Terrorism Responses that Involves Prescribing them as a Terrorist Organization.

Gabrielle Blanquart — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:20:29 PST

The adoption of Sharia law and the creation of an Islamic government are prominent motivations for religious terrorism within the current climate. Throughout history, Nigeria has been exposed to ethno religious violence and political discontent and has recently seen an escalation in associated violence threatening its sovereignty, territorial integrity, peace and stability. This paper explores Boko Haram, a Nigerian Islamist sect, responsible for numerous attacks in northern and central Nigeria on infrastructure and people. The origins and ideological motivations of this group are examined and compared to the current wave of religious terrorism in relation to tactics, leadership and objectives. Parallels and relationships are drawn between Boko Haram and other proscribed terrorist organizations such as al-Qa’ida, al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and the Somalian al Shabaab. This paper defines Boko Haram as a terrorist organization, as opposed to religious fanatics or freedom fighters, other common views about this group. This paper takes an Australian legislative approach to defining terrorism and terrorist organizations and examines Boko Haram against a contemporary terrorist organization proscribed by the Australian Government, AQIM, to substantiate claims that this organization demonstrates features common among terrorist organizations. Future prospects of this group, including potential expansion and listing them as a terrorist organization by the Australian government for national security, are presented.

Cyberterrorism: Addressing the Challenges for Establishing an International Legal Framework

Krishna Prasad — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:20:28 PST

The increase of international cyberterrorism in recent years has resulted in computer-based criminal activities that generate worldwide fear, destruction and disruption. National laws and policies that address cyberterrorism are mainly limited to developed nations and are not cohesive in managing 21st century cyberterrorism. Given the absence of an international legal framework to address cyberterrorism, authorities and governments around the world face extreme challenges in finding and prosecuting those responsible for cyberterrorism. This article argues for the need for a cohesive international legal framework; highlights key elements to establish an effective international legal framework; and identifies existing international treaties and cross-border agreements that could be expanded to provide legislative guidelines for prosecution.

The Emergence of Boko Haram: an Analysis of Terrorist Characteristics

Peter L. Lacey — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:20:28 PST

Boko Haram (BH) is a Nigerian extremist group which emerged only in the last decade, but has rapidly established a reputation for violence. This paper reviews the development and behaviour of BH in recent years, concluding that the group’s activities meet the definition of terrorism as systematic use of fear-evoking violence against civilians to achieve political goals. This characterisation is justified in terms of four definitional elements of terrorism, and further supported by comparison of BH with contemporary terrorist groups such as Abu Sayyaf Group and Caucasus Emirate, which espouse an ostensibly similar ideology. BH should not be mistaken for a gang of criminals, freedom fighters or religious fanatics. The group is capable, driven, and should be understood as a modern terrorist organization.

A Model of Psychological Disengagement

Kira J. Harris — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:20:27 PST

This paper presents the preliminary findings of research into the disengagement from highly entitative and ideological social groups, such as one percent motorcycle clubs, military special forces and fundamental ideological groups. Using a grounded theory approach, the discourse of 25 former members identified the discrepancy between group membership and the self-concept as the core theme in the disengagement experience. This model presents the process of experiencing a threat, self-concept discrepancy and management, physical disengagement and the post-exit identity. The findings indicate a consistent experience of disengagement and allow further understanding to the factors influencing membership appraisal.

A poisoned apple? The use of secret evidence and secret hearings to combat terrorism in Australia

Michael Crowley — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 17:55:27 PDT

The use of secrecy in the form of secret evidence and secret hearings had a limited role in modern democracies where the focus is on open justice. This changed after the events of 11 September 2001. Secrecy may be a necessary adjunct to maintaining military options, for combating organised crime and countering terrorism but like a double-edged sword it can also cut into the fabric of the democratic state via abuses of power, and the maintenance and expansion of organisations beyond their usefulness. This paper considers the use of secrecy in Australia with particular reference to its impact on the administration of justice in terrorism matters. It reveals an increased use of secret evidence covered by new legislation that directly impacts on the trial process. It raises issues of fairness to accused persons and others who may be required to obtain security clearances to do their job. For the present, the system seems to work fairly, if only because of the skill, ability and commitment to fair justice of parties who work in the criminal justice system; but, there is a clear potential for abuse by those who say they require secrecy to protect Australians from terrorists.

Bin Laden’s formation of the self: a comparative analysis

Robyn Torok — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 17:55:26 PDT

Following the 9/11 and similar al-Qaeda attacks, one of the principle questions we ask as a Western Society is why? Researchers on religious terrorism generally agree that psychopathic labelling and descriptions are both unhelpful and inaccurate. Instead what is needed is a look at the broader sociological context. As a result, this paper utilises Foucault’s technologies of the self (formation of the self) as a framework to explore the self transformations and teleology of Osama bin Laden’s actions based on a comparative analysis with the biblical character of Moses. This analysis will include a number of important parallels which include: the rejection of wealth for self gain and privilege, self formation and transformation through trial and suffering, a spokesperson for a captive and oppressed people, as well as being the instrument of God’s wrath through the delivering of the plague of terror. Such insights can contribute to understanding the broad dimensions of this social context that extends well beyond the political domain.

De-radicalization program in Indonesian prisons: Reformation on the correctional institution

Milda Istiqomah — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 17:55:25 PDT

De-radicalization program has long been the subject of investigation. There is a steadily growing interest in examining the positive results on how Islamist terrorists agree to abandon violence and leave radicalism. Despite their attractiveness, it is widely accepted that de-radicalization program on terrorism in many countries is still questionable for its effectiveness. This article presents an overview of the de-radicalization program run by Indonesian prisons and investigates critical issues surrounding the analysis of their effectiveness and outcomes. This paper argues that Indonesian prisons and especially its correctional system need to be reformed in order to achieve a successful result of de-radicalization program in the fight against terrorism.

The Australian immigration black hole: A radical problem?

Alan Davies et al. — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 17:55:24 PDT

Australia has done what it can to secure its borders and to prevent terrorist attacks at home. The path to radicalisation is paved with the disenfranchised and the alienated. This paper assesses the conditions of radicalisation, and whether Australia’s strict immigration and detention policy for asylum seekers arriving by boat is a breeding ground for radical behaviour. The processes of radicalisation are explored and compared to previous attacks seen in Britain. The narrative of recruitment offered by organisations such as Al Qaeda is appealing to those bereft of cultural identity, incarcerated in prisons and inside detention centres (Gunaratna, 2011; Hamm, 2007)—not just in Australia, but globally. Individuals become de-territorialised, and cast their new lost identity against the sufferings of the community and the perceived perpetrator, in this case, Australia. An act of terrorism therefore becomes an act of defining individual character for the potential new radical, based on the need for identity (Alonso et al., 2008). While this has not happened in Australia, the possibility does exist, albeit rare, in the detention centres for de-territorialised radicalisation.

Gleaning insight from absence: intelligence tradecraft lessons from finding Bin Laden

John D. Deniston — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 17:55:23 PDT

Shortly after the May 2011 raid by American Special Forces that killed Osama Bin Laden, several of the fascinating clues that the Intelligence Community had used to unlock the puzzle of the Al Qaeda leader’s final whereabouts became public. While much analysis has focused on the centrality of surveillance of a trusted al Qaeda courier to narrow the bin Laden search, this paper offers attention to other compelling clues including the size and composition of bin Laden’s compound, its lack of internet or telephone service, and the peculiar behaviour of its occupants. On the basis of these leads, this paper evaluates methodologies that were proposed for use in the bin Laden search, including micro-level manhunt tactics and macro-level wide area search approaches involving satellite imagery and calculated search areas. Finally, the paper concludes with original proposals—ranging from information technology tools, to organization of analysts, to analytic methodology—designed to aid future such manhunts.

Finance, fear, and family: issues of trust and the common ground with terrorist funding

David M. Cook et al. — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 17:55:22 PDT

In the immediate aftermath of al-Qaeda’s September 11 attacks on the United States of America, examinations of terrorist funding focused on the Middle Eastern and South Asian use of Hawala and non-traceable financial transactions. However, whilst the cloaking of identity is certainly a part of criminal activity for funds transfer, there are other factors. South Asia’s community banking norms align far more closely with informal systems that follow centuries-old customs of familial trust rather than reportable record keeping. Tightened restrictions on money movement in the form of identity checks and statements of purpose have coerced more than two hundred million South Asians into choosing western banking systems that conform to international regulations that show a clear audit trail of identity. Poorer countries, where banking institutions have a history of corruption and mistrust, show a partiality for informal and localised systems of transfer referred to as Informal Value Transfer Systems (IVTS). In particular, the region of South Asia exhibits these informal traits more noticeably than other regions. This paper identifies patterns in large international funds transfers by examining the methods and rationale behind the financial transactions of international students studying at Australian universities. The research highlights issues of trust, fear, and familial dependency as key factors of influence. The results point to key local and domestic practices that override global adherence to financial governance, regulatory banking, and anti-money laundering. As the Arab Spring invokes democratic imaginings throughout many nations, one thing becomes clearer than before. Ordinary people, rather than simply terrorists, have lost trust in government regulations and in financial institutions. Instead they survive through a connection with familial, localised systems that indicate resilience to the financial trappings of western financial regulation. This paper examines the transfer habits and preferences of 395 international university students in Australia. It concludes that non-traceable international transactions are a cultural and regional norm that transcends Western banking legislation that has been constructed in reaction to terrorism. That ordinary people choose informal systems of funds transfer (alongside terrorists and money-launderers) is a phenomenon that deserves consideration. Informal Value Transfer Systems (IVTS) remain a significant and overlooked component of the global economy.

The Internet as Ideological Battleground

Anne Aly — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:51:35 PDT

Moral Disengagement: Exploring Support Mechanisms for Violent Extremism among Young Egyptian Males

Paul S. Lieber et al. — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:51:34 PDT

“Make A Bomb In Your Mums Kitchen”: Cyber Recruiting And Socialisation of ‘White Moors’ and Home Grown Jihadists

Robyn Torok — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:43:23 PST

As a consequence of the war on terror, al-Qaeda and associated jihad groups have evolved and made increasing use of internet technologies for cyber recruitment. Recently, there has been an increasing focus on recruiting home grown terrorists who can more easily escape the scrutiny of cross border entries. Case study analysis indicates that links do exist between cyber tools, radicalisation and terrorism, however, the strength and nature of these relationships is generally unclear. Evidence does seem to support that cyber tools are most significant in the initial phases of recruitment and radicalisation. Coupled with this is the strong evolution of the use of cyber tools from hosted jihad websites to the use of social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace as well as forums such as Yahoo groups. Additionally, al-Qaeda’s latest development is an online magazine that contains a wide range of material from inspirational narratives to practical bomb making techniques. It is argued that these links between evolving cyber tools and cyber recruitment/radicalisation must be taken as a serious threat with possible responses outlined.

The Piracy and Terrorism Nexus: Real or Imagined?

Karine Hamilton — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:43:21 PST

The waters off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden have been the location of a dramatic proliferation of pirate activities in recent years. Security officials around the world are concerned about the risks posed by Somali piracy to maritime shipping and to national security. These risks relate to the susceptibility of world trade shipments to terrorist attack and to the emergence of an increasingly powerful Islamist movement in Somalia with connections to global terrorist networks. Whilst Somali piracy has been the topic of growing media speculation, reliable information about the phenomenon is scant. This paper reports on research conducted in Kenya where over 100 Somalis are being prosecuted for piracy. It aims to give insight into the motivations of Somali pirates and argues that the weight of current evidence strongly suggests that piracy off the East African coast is strictly an economic crime.