How Lethal are the Militant Islamists Operating in Europe?

• In Event: Terrorism: Multi Perspectives

Abstract

For more than two decades militant Islamists have spread terror and fear on the European continent. Common assumptions, both in the news media and among the public, are that indiscriminate targeting, as well as mass casualty focus, characterize attacks conducted by the jihadists. How correct, however, are these assumptions, and furthermore, how lethal have the militant Islamists actually been over the years?
In this presentation, the findings from a study based on more than 200 conducted attacks and thwarted plots in Western Europe, will illuminate the abovementioned issues, as well as other targeting related topics. The development for the last few years, including implications related to threat assessment, will also be briefly addressed. This study will interest academics and researchers, as well as practitioners, working on threat assessment, intelligence, CT-strategies, societal security and emergency response.

Author

• Cato Hemmingby, Norwegian Police University College