ICCT’s Most-Read Perspectives in 2020

From the impact of coronavirus to QAnon, 2020 was a year of new directions and developments in counter-terrorism research. Take a look at our five most-read perspectives of the year for brief reads that present key findings and pose important questions for the study of terrorism:

5️⃣ How does misogyny contribute to violence and extremism? Alex DiBranco argues that our understanding of male supremacist terrorism remains far behind where it needs to be despite its role in mass violence.

4️⃣ What is the role of slavery in the modus operandi of the Islamic State? Nadia Al-Dayel and Andrew Mumford warn that we should go beyond liberation of territory toward the human liberation of victims of slavery.

3️⃣ What impact does the COVID19 pandemic have on terrorist groups in the Sahel like al-Qaeda and the Islamic State? Julie Coleman calls for a more comprehensive approach to counter-terrorism in the region.

2️⃣ What does a Biden victory in the US elections mean for QAnon adherents? In our second most-read perspective, Marc-Andre Argentino and Amarnath Amarasingam highlight the role of QAnon in radicalisation and extremism in the US.

1️⃣ How can analysis of incel writings answer the question: are incels terrorists? Our most-read perspective in 2020, by former ICCT Director Renske van der Veer, highlights the importance of studying these personal accounts and a gender-neutral approach.