De-Radicalization of Jihadists

<p>This book is the first detailed study of the causes of de-radicalization in armed Islamist movements. It is based on frontline research that includes interviews with Jihadist leaders mid-ranking commanders and young sympathizers as well as former security and intelligence officers and state officials. </p><p>Additionally it is also the first book to analyze the particular conditions under which successful de-radicalization can take place. The current literature on Islamist movements attempts to explain two principal issues: their support of violence (radicalization) and their changing attitudes towards democracy and democratization (moderation). However the reasons behind renouncing (behavioural de-radicalization) and de-legitimizing (ideological de-radicalization) violence have not been evaluated to date. The author provides an in-depth analysis of the de-radicalization processes of the Egyptian Muslim Brothers (1951-73) former allies of al-Qa'ida such as al-Gama'a al-Islammiyya (Islamic Group of Egypt 1997-2002) and al-Jihad Organization (2007- present) as well as of Algerian Islamist groups (1997-2000). The book also analyzes cases of de-radicalization failure. </p><p>The two questions that the book highlights and attempts to answer are Why? and How? For example why do radical Islamist militants revise their ideologies strategies and objectives and initiate a de-radicalization process; and what are the necessary conditions behind successful de-radicalization? De-radicalization of Jihadists shows how a combination of charismatic leadership state repression social interactions and selective inducements can ultimately lead jihadists to abandon 'jihad' and de-legitimize violence. </p><p>This book will be of great interest to students of radical Islamist movements and Islamic Studies terrorism and political violence security studies and Middle Eastern politics.</p><p><strong>Omar Ashour</strong> is a Lecturer in Politics in the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies University of Exeter. He has a PhD in International Relations from McGill University in Canada.</p>