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Fighting Terrorism: Critical Lessons and Key Issues

Monday 18 September 2006

Leading international experts on terrorism and counterterrorism gathered at the University of East London (UEL) on Friday 15 September 2006 for a one-day conference on key issues in countering contemporary terrorism, focusing on the current ‘war on terrorism’.

Professor Andrew Silke, field leader in Criminology at UEL’s School of Law, and a leading expert in the psychology of terrorism, organised the conference, held at Duncan House, Stratford.

Speakers included Dr Anne Speckhard of Georgetown University, Dr John Horgan of the University of St Andrews, Washington DC, Dr Mia Bloom of the University of Georgia, and Chief Superintendent Stephen Swain, head of the Police International Counter Terrorist Unit.

Delegates discussed how governments can respond to terrorism and low intensity conflicts with a range of different approaches, bearing in mind lessons from history ranging from Napoleonic France to Northern Ireland and Chechnya.

Traditionally, states attempt to deal with such threats using existing measures to exert order and control. In some cases, governments take extraordinary measures to tackle the problem, including emergency legal regimes, special incarceration and detention policies, the introduction of new security practices and specialist units.

Professor Silke said: “Identifying what works has always been extremely difficult, and it is vital for governments to win the war for hearts and minds, as well as the battle against individual terrorist groups and networks.”

“History is full of examples of powerful governments, such as that of Napoleon, which undermined their own legitimacy and lost the support of their allies by being seen to crack down too hard on terrorism and dissent.”

This September sees the launch of an innovative Masters degree in Terrorism Studies at the University of East London.  MSc Terrorism Studies is available on a full- and part-time basis, with all classes taking place in the evenings. For further information, contact School of Law registrar, Clare Olley, on 020 8223 2371 or c.m.olley@uel.ac.uk.

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For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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