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October 2012 e-Newsletter available now

FEATURED RESEARCH

 
New data reveals al-Qaida-linked groups among world’s most active terrorist groups
Only one of the 5,000 terrorist attacks in 2011 is attributed to al-Qaida Central, but more than half of the top 20 most active perpetrator groups in 2011 are linked to al-Qaida, according to new data released in START’s Global Terrorism Database. Full story…
 
Database Spotlight: Government Actions in a Terror Environment-Israel
START has just released a dataset that provides insight into the effectiveness of government counterterrorism strategies. The Government Actions in a Terror Environment-Israel (GATE-Israel) Dataset identifies the counterterrorism tactics that Israel used with respect to Palestinian constituencies. Full story…
 


DISCUSSION POINT

Discussion Point: Terrorism Studies is not a sub-discipline 
Written by Fernando Reinares, this is the third in a series of thought pieces authored by members of the START Consortium to foster thoughtful reflection and discussion. In this piece, Reinares argues that Terrorism Studies should be redirected from its sub-discipline trajectory to remain an interdisciplinary field. Full story…
 


START NEWS

 
START Graduate Certificate now accepting applications 
Both scholars and practitioners can apply now to earn a Graduate Certificate in Terrorism Studies through START’s unique, fully online program.  Full story…
 
New database provides insights into terrorism countermeasures
START recently published a report that discusses the development of the Countermeasures against Extremism and Terrorism Database, which catalogues government and non-government countermeasures taken in response to terrorist and extremist activities. Full story…
 
Researcher Spotlight: Nil Satana
START visiting scholar and conflict studies expert Nil Satana discusses her personal journey from Turkey to the United States and the professional journey that has taken her to Baghdad and beyond.Full story…
  
Black Swans and Burstiness
In exploring the dichotomous nature of terrorism, START Director Gary LaFree recently lectured on “Black Swans and Burstiness: Countering Myths on Terrorism” as part of the University of Maryland’s Distinguished Scholar Teacher Lecture Series. Full story and video…
 
Understanding conflict management in India
Using the Indian State’s responses to insurgency as an example, political scientist Bidisha Biswas outlined potential consequences a democratic country can face when responding to a rebellion. Biswas offered a Research Roundtable at START and previewed her new book. Full story…
 
New online journal is resource for terrorism research
The Inter-University Center for Terrorism Studies recently released “Terrorism: An Electronic Journal and Knowledge Base,” which features peer-reviewed articles, special reports, seminar reports and additional references. Full story…
 
Global Terrorism Studies Minor recognized for rigorous coursework and opportunities
START’s Global Terrorism Studies Minor was recently recognized for its rigorous coursework and educational enrichment opportunities by the Provost’s Committee on Living-Learning and Other Special Programs. Full story…
 
Arabic opens doors for START intern
START intern Madeline Bersch discovered her interest for terrorism studies in high school and has used her ability to speak Arabic to further her pursuit of knowledge at START. Full story…
 
Video: Spotlight on START’s Fall interns
Three of START’s 75 Fall interns take some time to discuss their START projects, hobbies and career goals. Full story…
 


SIGNIFICANT TERRORISM EVENTS IN THE NEWS

 
Yemen: Guard at US Embassy killed in “al-Qaida style” attack
Qassem Aqlan, a U.S. Embassy employee for the last 10 years, was shot and killed on Oct. 11 by unknown gunmen riding a motor cycle in the capital city of Sana’a, Yemen. While no group has claimed official responsibility, it is suspected that al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula is responsible. Full story…

Nigeria: Boko Haram top commander arrested in home of serving senator
Boko Haram commander Shuaibu Muhammed Bama was arrested Oct. 18.  State Security Service (SSS) in Nigeria suspects that he was arrested at the home of his uncle, Senator Ahmed Zanna, in Maiduguri, Nigeria.  Full story…
 
Jordan: 11 arrested for plot to attack malls and diplomatic targets
Authorities in Jordan claim that they have foiled a plot to attack shopping malls and other targets frequently visited by international diplomats and their families.  Full story…
 


EVENTS

 
Research Roundtable on the release of the 2011 GTD data: Nov. 1
START’s Erin Miller will give a Research Roundtable on Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. in Symons 3121, to present the release of the 2011 GTD Data, which will be available online next week. Full story…
 
Webinar Nov. 12: The Nature and Dynamics of Terrorism – Pakistan, a case study
Terrorism scholar Syed Ejaz Hussain will offer a webinar on "The Nature and Dynamics of Terrorism: Pakistan a Case Study" from noon to 1:15 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12. Register now…
 
Webinar Nov. 30: Arabs as Terrorists – Effects of media stereotypes on attitudes, affect and perceptions
Psychologist Muniba Saleem will offer a webinar on "Arabs as Terrorists: Effects of Media Stereotypes on Attitudes, Affect and Perceptions,” at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30. Register now…

Terrorism Studies Minor Information Session: Dec. 3, 7
The Terrorism Studies minor is designed to explore the origins and motivations of terrorism and impacts of the threat of terrorism on both individuals and communities. Full story…
 
Graduate Certificate Information Session: Dec. 6
Those interested in earning a Graduate Certificate through START can learn more about the program through an online information session 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6. Full story…
 


START IN THE NEWS

 
Bloomberg Businessweek: Terrorism Has Shifted
Businessweek recently used START's Global Terrorism Database for their research on the differences in terrorism from 2008 to 2011. Full story…
 
CTC Sentinel: The Evidence of al-Qaida’s Role in the 2004 Madrid Attack
Fernando Reinares discusses the 2004 Madrid Attack, a series of coordinated bombings ripped through the city's commuter train system. Reinares is currently teaching a graduate course on Developments of Counterterrorism Policies and Programs at START. Full story…
 
Most active terrorists linked to al-Qaida
The online research news site Futurity recently featured START’s release of the 2011 GTD data, which included findings that al-Qaida-linked groups are among the most active terrorist groups in the world. Full story…
 

This is a selection of news clips from the past month.
A complete list of START’s media coverage can be found here.
 

SUPPORTING START

 
Help Support START Research and Education
The START Consortium is dedicated to generating knowledge of the human causes and consequences of terrorism. Applying rigorous standards to both research and education, START seeks to illuminate one of the most highly politicized and understudied phenomena in the social sciences for students, practitioners, and policy-makers. Funded primarily through research grants to date, START is seeking to generate an endowment that will provide the flexibility and autonomy to ensure that it can continue to serve as an objective source of data and empirically based analysis into the future.  To donate, or for more information, please click here.