Policy & Research Forum
October 2, 2008
Featuring:
Dr. Christopher Boucek
Associate, Middle East Program
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Moderated by:
Frank Cilluffo
Director, Homeland Security Policy Institute
Saudi Arabia’s “Soft” Counterterrorism Strategy: Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Aftercare
By Dr. Boucek, September 2008
Congressional Quarterly Article
.Much attention has been focused by policymakers and scholars on how people become radicalized and why they join terror groups. However, little effort has been given to deciphering why they leave these organizations and counter-radicalize. Effective rehabilitation services are emerging as an important tool to countering terrorism particularly in the Arabian Peninsula, a hotbed of extremism. Dr. Christopher Boucek presented his latest research on Saudi Arabia’s efforts to reintegrate its citizens involved in extremism into everyday society. The discussion included an examination of the motivations and philosophies behind these programs, as well as their effectiveness and potential for exportation to other countries vulnerable to radicalization.
Christopher Boucek is the author most recently of Saudi Arabia’s “Soft” Counterterrorism Strategy: Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Aftercare, and “The Counseling Program: Extremist Rehabilitation in Saudi Arabia,” in Leaving Terrorism Behind: Disengagement from Political Violence. Before joining the Carnegie Endowment, he was a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton University and lecturer in Politics at the Woodrow Wilson School. He is also an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies. From 2003 to 2005, he was a security editor with Jane’s Information Group. Dr. Boucek has written widely on the Middle East, Central Asia, and terrorism for a variety of publications including the Washington Post, CTC Sentinel, Jane’s Intelligence Review, Strategic Insights, and Terrorism Monitor.
--
The HSPI Policy & Research Forum series is designed to spotlight cutting-edge policy solutions and innovative strategies to some of the most pressing national and international concerns. The Forum features leading officials, practitioners and thinkers in a systematic way designed to better highlight their work and promote a dialogue on effective solutions to current issues.
