Radicalization and De-Radicalization between National and Global Jihadism

Sara Brzuszkiewicz is Research Fellow at the Italian Team for Security, Terroristic Issues and Managing Emergencies (Milan).

• IntroductionChapter 1. The Rise of al-Gama'a al-Islamiya and al-Gihad al-Islamy: The Historical ContextChapter 2. Al-Gama‘a al-IslamiyaChapter 3. Al-Gihad al-IslamyChapter 4. The De-Radicalization Processes of al-Gama′a al-Islamiya and al-Gihad al-IslamyChapter 5. The Shift from National to Global Jihad and Its Implications for Collective De-RadicalizationConclusion

Brzuszkiewicz focuses on defining nationalist jihad—which might be termed local or country-based jihad—as opposed to global jihad. She argues that deradicalization of this nationalist jihad was possible at an organizational level in Egypt and Libya. The book presents very useful case studies of the Takfir wal-Hijrah, the Gihad Islami, and Gama’at al-Islamiyya and a briefer description of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group. Brzuszkiewicz admits that lone wolves and—one could add—non-jihadist terrorists complicate the analysis. Since nationalist jihadists like Hamas have just shocked the near and far enemies with continuing resistance (and not deradicalization), it appears that other factors, like local governments’ repression, continue to fuel jihad. Summing Up: Recommended. Undergraduates through faculty; professionals.