Victor Asal
University at Albany, State University of New York
Project on Violent Conflict
Associate Professor of Political Science
Milne Hall 217
135 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203 USA
518.591.8729
Research Interests
  • I am interested in why organizations turn to violence in the first place and what types of violence they chose to use once they have begun being violent as well as the factors that make them less likely to use violence. I have a particular interest in the impact network relations and organizational characteristics have on these choices as well as an interest in CBRN terrorism and ethnic violence.
Topics of Interest
  • Ethnic Violence
  • Extremism in the US
  • Homeland Security Education
  • Nuclear Terrorism
  • Political Violence
  • Radicalization
  • Suicide Attacks
  • Terrorism & Technology
  • Terrorism Databases & Resource Centers
  • Terrorist Networks
  • Terrorism Trends
  • Weapons of Mass Destruction
  • Threat Assessment
Regions of Interest
  • Worldwide
  • Middle East
Education
  • University of Maryland, College Park Ph. D., 2003
  • Hebrew University Israel M.A. 1996
  • Tufts University B.A. 1987
Professional Experience
  • University at Albany – SUNY, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science. 2009- to the present
  • University at Albany – SUNY, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science. Appointed 2003- 2009
  • University at Albany – SUNY, Co-Director, Public Security Studies Certificate, Department of Public Policy and Administration. 2004- to the present
  • University of Maryland Research Associate, National Center for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START Center).
  • University of Maryland Research Associate, Center for International Development and Conflict Management (CIDCM).
Major Recognitions and Honors
  • 2007 Article of the Year Award. Journal of Peace Research, 2007. For “Proliferation and International Crisis Behavior.” With Kyle Beardsley (Emory University) in Journal of Peace Research 44(2): 139-155.
  • Martin Edelman Excellence in Teaching Award. 2007. Department of Political Science, Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany, State University of New York.
  • Excellence in Teaching Award. 2002. College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Maryland.
START Projects

Received research funding from START: 2005-present

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News
Researcher Spotlight: Erik Dahl
5/21/2013
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Jeffrey Lewis discusses history and culture behind suicide bombings at START
5/21/2013
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START participates in 15th annual Maryland Day
5/21/2013
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START student named Boren Scholar
5/21/2013
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April e-Newsletter Available Now
4/30/2013
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Fully online summer course on terrorist finance open to all students
4/29/2013
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Research Highlight: Al-Qa’ida-Related Terrorism - Violent Incidents and Foiled Plots
4/29/2013
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Discussion Point: From the Caucasus to Boston and Beyond
4/29/2013
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: April 2013
4/29/2013
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Terrorism and the North Caucasus: An Overview
4/29/2013
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Discussion Point: Thinking Beyond Deterrence
4/29/2013
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START calls for TRA and URP candidates
4/29/2013
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Assessing the likelihood of Hate Crime in wake of Boston Attacks
4/29/2013
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START intern launches career as Navy pilot
4/26/2013
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Secretary Janet Napolitano visits START
4/25/2013
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Project Manager/Senior Researcher
4/22/2013
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Background Report: Ricin Letters Mailed to President and Senator
4/18/2013
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START Background Report: Boston Marathon Bombings
4/16/2013
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Faculty Research Assistant -- Global Terrorism Database
4/11/2013
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Americans more likely to think about terrorism than violent crime
4/11/2013
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Under Secretary Sonenshine speaks to University of Maryland about State Department’s public diplomacy successes
4/3/2013
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March e-Newsletter available now
3/31/2013
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Hegghammer explains variation in western jihadists
3/28/2013
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New report examines relationship between county characteristics and incidents of terrorism
3/27/2013
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Discussion Point: Prevention Research for Countering Violent Extremism
3/27/2013
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: February 20 – March 19, 2013
3/27/2013
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GTD project shapes career goal for START intern
3/26/2013
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START website proves critical resource for scholars, government
3/26/2013
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START researchers present work on transnational criminal organizations, terrorism and radiological/nuclear (RN) smuggling
3/25/2013
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Call for papers for a special issue of Terrorism and Political Violence on “Criminological approaches to the study of terrorism”
3/25/2013
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START report identifies new ways to train risk communication skills
3/22/2013
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New Book: European and American Extreme Right Groups and the Internet
3/21/2013
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Special Projects Researcher/Junior GIS Analyst
3/14/2013
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Project Manager/Researcher
3/14/2013
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START internship creates career path
3/5/2013
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START’s training events help others understand terrorism
3/5/2013
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February e-Newsletter available now
2/28/2013
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START internship creates career path
2/28/2013
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START’s training events help others understand terrorism
2/28/2013
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START researcher explores how terrorism affects democracy, compares Turkey and US
2/27/2013
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DHS renews support for the Integrated U.S. Security Database (IUSSD)
2/26/2013
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START study abroad focuses on Australia’s counterterrorism strategies
2/26/2013
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Intern Spotlight: Rick Magill
2/26/2013
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START to expand social media presence
2/26/2013
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: Jan. 29-Feb 19, 2013
2/25/2013
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Database Spotlight: Update on Profiles of Perpetrators of Terrorism in the US
2/22/2013
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Discussion Point: Should START Researchers Embrace the Brain?
2/19/2013
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Student research recognized by Combating Terrorism Center
2/18/2013
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Education’s impact on attitudes about terrorism: Former START TRA takes on new policy-relevant study
1/31/2013
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January e-Newsletter available now
1/31/2013
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Trends in terrorism in the U.S.: New report analyzes terrorist attack data 1970-2011
1/31/2013
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Discussion Point: The Dog that Doesn't Bark
1/30/2013
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Spotlight on START Communications Interns: A closer look at the people behind the bylines
1/29/2013
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Mapping a career: Former START intern observed Hurricane Sandy from FEMA headquarters
1/29/2013
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: January 1, 2013 – January 29, 2013
1/29/2013
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We’ve Moved! START HQ located at 8400 Baltimore Ave
1/29/2013
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Database Spotlight -- Public Warnings and Evacuations: A Study of the 2009 California Station Fire
1/29/2013
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START Research Brief: Al-Shabaab’s use of Twitter
1/28/2013
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Researcher Spotlight: Amy Pate
1/24/2013
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Terrorism Studies minor now accepting applications
1/21/2013
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: Nov. 22- Dec. 16, 2012
12/19/2012
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Discussion Point: Black Swans and Burstiness -- Countering Myths about Terrorism
12/19/2012
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New report: Social media use during disasters
12/19/2012
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Study shows hate crimes more likely to occur after terrorist attacks
12/19/2012
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Border Crossings and Terrorist Attacks in the US
12/19/2012
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December e-Newsletter available now
12/18/2012
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Researcher Spotlight: Michele Gelfand
12/18/2012
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Intern Spotlight: Brittany Steele
12/17/2012
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Database Spotlight: Police Response to Terrorism - Lessons from the Israeli Police
12/17/2012
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START Headquarters is relocating
12/17/2012
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First-of-its-kind index ranks countries for impact of terrorism
12/6/2012
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Job Opportunity: Special Projects GIS Analyst
12/5/2012
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Discussion Point: Beyond al-Qa’ida
11/27/2012
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November e-Newsletter available now
11/27/2012
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Researcher Spotlight: Dennis Mileti and the sociology of disaster
11/26/2012
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: October 23-November 22, 2012
11/26/2012
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New FAS study assesses global economic impact of actions taken against Iran
11/26/2012
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Terrorists act locally
11/26/2012
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Job Opportunity: Graduate Assistant
11/23/2012
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How START’s Graduate Certificate Program won over two previous skeptics of online learning
11/21/2012
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Detecting deception
11/21/2012
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START intern tackles competition and challenges head-on
11/21/2012
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Research Roundtable details the patterns of terrorism worldwide
11/20/2012
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START researcher awarded top paper
11/20/2012
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State Department contracts START to provide terrorism data and analysis
11/16/2012
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START honors International GIS Day teaching about Mali conflict
11/16/2012
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START receives DHS Spirit of Excellence Award
11/14/2012
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Database Spotlight: Government Actions in a Terror Environment-Israel
10/31/2012
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Discussion Point: Terrorism Studies is not a Sub-Discipline
10/31/2012
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Video: Spotlight on START's Fall interns
10/31/2012
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Understanding conflict management in India
10/31/2012
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October 2012 e-newsletter available now
10/31/2012
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START director addresses common myths of terrorism
10/31/2012
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Earn Your Graduate Certificate in Terrorism Studies
10/31/2012
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New database provides insights into terrorism countermeasures
10/31/2012
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: Sept. 25- Oct. 22, 2012
10/26/2012
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Researcher Spotlight: Nil Satana
10/26/2012
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Arabic opens doors for START intern
10/26/2012
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Global Terrorism Studies Minor recognized for rigorous coursework and opportunities
10/26/2012
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New data reveals al-Qaida-linked groups among most active terrorist groups in the world
10/16/2012
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New journal is a resource for Global Terrorism Research
10/15/2012
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September 2012 e-newsletter available now
10/1/2012
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John Cohen's keynote address at START Annual Meeting
9/28/2012
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Discussion Point: The End of Radicalization?
9/28/2012
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Research Brief: Law Enforcement Efforts to Counter Violent Extremism
9/28/2012
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Gary LaFree selected for World Economic Forum
9/28/2012
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Terrorism: A Self-Love Story
9/28/2012
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: Aug. 22 – Sept. 26, 2012
9/28/2012
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START director to lecture on contrasting nature of terrorism
9/28/2012
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START Annual Meeting focuses on maximizing relevance of research
9/28/2012
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Researcher Spotlight: Monica Schoch-Spana
9/28/2012
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Database Spotlight: Minorities at Risk Organizational Behavior (MAROB)
9/26/2012
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Remittances and the financing of terrorism in Sub-Saharan Africa
9/26/2012
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CBRN terrorism by non-state actors
9/25/2012
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Now Recruiting Spring 2013 Internships
9/24/2012
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New report assesses factors related to violent extremism among Somali-Americans in Minneapolis-St. Paul
9/13/2012
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Discussion Point: Introducing 'Political Resilience'
8/31/2012
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START launches new tool for counterterrorism community
8/31/2012
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August 2012 e-newsletter available now
8/31/2012
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Black Swans and Burstiness: Oct. 4 Lecture
8/30/2012
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: July 18- Aug. 15, 2012
8/30/2012
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Database Spotlight: Radiological and Nuclear Non-State Adversaries (RANNSAD)
8/29/2012
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Researcher Spotlight: Kelly Damphousse
8/29/2012
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START researchers awarded nearly $1 million to improve effectiveness of emergency alert text messaging
8/27/2012
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School principals can help assess community resilience
8/27/2012
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Policing Terrorism
8/24/2012
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Terrorism Studies Minor information sessions
8/24/2012
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Understanding Risk Communication Best Practices and Theory
8/9/2012
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Far-right Violence in the United States: 1990-2010
8/8/2012
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Temple Gunman Said Military Experience Drove Him To Hate
8/8/2012
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'Carrot' Works Better than 'Stick' Against Terror in Israel
8/6/2012
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Enacting best practices in risk communication
8/6/2012
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LaFree speaks at National Institute of Justice conference
7/30/2012
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Response to mischaracterization of the Hot Spots Report
7/25/2012
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Olympics and Terrorism
7/25/2012
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START research examines history of terrorism and the Olympic Games
7/25/2012
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July 2012 e-newsletter available now
7/25/2012
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Research Transition Manager
7/18/2012
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Education Coordinator
7/18/2012
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Senior Researcher (Faculty)
7/18/2012
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START offers winter study abroad in Australia
7/18/2012
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START interns prepare for capstone presentations
7/18/2012
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Research Roundtable event features START researcher Brandon Behlendorf
7/18/2012
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START welcomes researcher on nuclear secrecy and control
7/17/2012
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Student researches ties between terrorism and the Olympics
7/17/2012
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Database Spotlight: Muslim Public Opinion and Public Opinion in the Islamic World on Terrorism, al Qaeda and US Policies (PIPA)
7/17/2012
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START interns nominated for DHS award
7/17/2012
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START Intern Profiles: July
7/17/2012
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Career Profile Session with Rohina Phadnis, Aug. 1
7/17/2012
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Researcher Spotlight: Lauren Pinson
7/17/2012
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Significant Terrorist Events in the News: June 19- July 16, 2012
7/17/2012
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START interns and staff take to the lanes
7/16/2012
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Naval Research Lab scientist offers career advice
7/3/2012
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Masculine honor ideology shapes responses to terrorism
6/21/2012
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Intern for START
6/21/2012
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LaFree gives talk at Conference on Intelligence and Security Informatics
6/21/2012
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Apply by July 15 to earn Graduate Certificate
6/21/2012
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June 2012 e-newsletter available now
6/21/2012
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June 2012 e-newsletter available now
6/21/2012
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START interns gain unique experience with State Department
6/20/2012
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START intern profiles: June
6/20/2012
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Former START intern pursues dual passions
6/19/2012
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Researcher spotlight: Anthony Lemieux
6/19/2012
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Database spotlight: Big Allied and Dangerous (BAAD)
6/19/2012
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Significant Terrorist Events in the News: May 18- June 18, 2012
6/19/2012
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CASE awards START top honors
6/19/2012
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START advises Indian Home Secretary R.K. Singh
6/18/2012
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START workshop gives better understanding of CBRN technologies
6/14/2012
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START’s Shoemaker presents Border Crossing findings at monthly series
5/23/2012
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START welcomes visiting scholar
5/23/2012
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START hosts expert panel and career symposium on innovation in homeland security
5/22/2012
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: April 23, 2012- May 17, 2012
5/17/2012
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Thank you spring interns and congratulations graduates!
5/17/2012
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Increasing risk perception alone won’t improve preparedness
5/16/2012
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START to begin monthly series highlighting Dataverse data collections
5/16/2012
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Database spotlight: Profiles of Perpetrators of Terrorism in the United States (PPT-US)
5/16/2012
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Maryland Day memories
5/16/2012
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Researcher spotlight: Hamilton Bean
5/10/2012
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Al-Qaida’s fatal terrorism under Osama bin Laden
5/1/2012
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April 2012 e-newsletter available now
4/27/2012
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‘Working with al-Qaeda Documents: An Analyst’s View before 9/11’
4/27/2012
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The Formation of Unholy Alliances: How violence threatens international security
4/27/2012
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START’s website proves valuable, well-used resource
4/26/2012
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Job Posting: Data Collection Manager
4/25/2012
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START intern to be featured in Seventeen Magazine
4/24/2012
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Researcher Spotlight: Erica Chenoweth
4/24/2012
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: March 26 - April 23, 2012
4/24/2012
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START researcher participates in homeland security panel
4/24/2012
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START intern makes a difference at START and in the UMD community
4/23/2012
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LaFree recognized as field leader by American Society of Criminology
4/23/2012
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START students discuss job opportunities with Lockheed Martin executives
4/23/2012
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START, Centers of Excellence leaders visit Capitol Hill
4/6/2012
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March 2012 e-newsletter available now
3/29/2012
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UMD president chairs inaugural DHS Academic Advisory Panel
3/28/2012
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New study shows alliances and not religious ideology are key to forecasting CBRN pursuit
3/28/2012
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Researcher spotlight: Brandon Behlendorf
3/28/2012
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Earn a graduate certificate through START
3/28/2012
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Summer courses for credit through START
3/28/2012
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Terrorism studies program takes students to tour the Pentagon
3/27/2012
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: Feb. 21 - March 25, 2012
3/27/2012
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START investigator and former TRA recipient publish book on the mobilization of right-wing extremism
3/21/2012
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Research Roundtable features expert on policing terrorism
3/14/2012
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The tradeoffs between protecting against man-made and natural disasters
3/12/2012
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January 2012 e-newsletter available now
3/7/2012
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February 2012 e-newsletter available now
3/7/2012
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UMD President Loh named chair of DHS Academic Advisory Council
3/1/2012
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START research informs Senate report on Chesser
2/27/2012
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START accepting applications for new scholarship program
2/22/2012
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Ballots instead of bullets
2/22/2012
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Top-ranked criminology journal features START research
2/22/2012
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START participates in risk communication conference
2/21/2012
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: Jan. 24 - Feb. 20, 2012
2/21/2012
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START’s spring seminar features internationally recognized terrorism scholar
2/20/2012
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START researchers fight cybercrime with old school criminology
2/20/2012
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START interns get vital career preparation
2/20/2012
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Interns extend growing relationship between START and State Department
2/15/2012
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START teams up with the University of Oklahoma to study effective counterterrorism strategies
2/15/2012
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START researcher to publish book on suicide bombings
2/9/2012
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Sign up for START's e-newsletter and mailing list
2/8/2012
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Senior Research Associate
2/7/2012
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Terrorism studies minor now accepting applications
2/6/2012
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START names new executive director
1/31/2012
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Urban U.S. counties hot spots of terror, but rural areas are not exempt
1/31/2012
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START study abroad sheds light on pacific-rim counterterrorism strategies
1/30/2012
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Terrorism studies graduate certificate application deadline is quickly approaching
1/30/2012
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Exposed to new perspectives - Katiria Ortiz’s Australian Experience
1/30/2012
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Seeing Sydney: Katharine Sobotka and her study abroad experience
1/30/2012
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New research examines financial crime and political extremism
1/30/2012
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Significant Terrorism Events in the News: Jan. 1 - Jan. 23, 2012
1/30/2012
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Leading terrorism expert discusses mobilization of women into terrorist networks
1/30/2012
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LaFree named Distinguished Scholar-Teacher
1/30/2012
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START researcher invited to discuss terrorists’ motivations
1/27/2012
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DHS renews support for START terrorism research for next five years
12/20/2011
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LaFree comments on terrorist imprisonment
12/12/2011
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Violent extremism in the U.S.
12/9/2011
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START seminar lecturer receives top honors
12/1/2011
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Prevention and Protection in an Age of Terror
11/29/2011
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START seeks spring 2012 communication interns
11/21/2011
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START students take advantage of exclusive CIA opportunity
11/17/2011
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START Investigators Present Research at National Conference
11/15/2011
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Terroism expert discusses new research during START Seminar
11/14/2011
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LaFree Discusses Terrorism Myths and Realities
11/11/2011
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Project Manager/Senior Researcher for Special Projects
10/31/2011
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START researchers brief Swedish delegation
10/27/2011
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Fahey discusses political instability, state capacity and terrorism
10/25/2011
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Background Report: ETA Ceasefires by the Numbers
10/21/2011
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DHS Awards Career Development Grant to START
10/14/2011
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START Director LaFree to Moderate Discussion with Secretary Napolitano and Governor O'Malley
10/7/2011
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Background Report: Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), Anwar al-Awlaki, and Samir Khan
9/30/2011
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START Partner Center for Biosecurity Launches
9/27/2011
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Director of Administrative Services
9/22/2011
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: START Executive Director
9/20/2011
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Summer 2011 START Bulletin Now Available
9/19/2011
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START Releases 2011 Research Review
9/19/2011
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START Affiliate Releases Report on Al-Awlaki
9/13/2011
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START Assesses Impact of 9/11
9/6/2011
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START Researchers Participate in Session on Psychology of Terrorism
9/5/2011
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START Researchers Present at American Political Science Association Annual Conference
9/5/2011
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START Investigators Participate in 2011 American Sociological Association Annual Conference
8/20/2011
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START Research Team to Develop Risk Communication Training Program
8/18/2011
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START Announces 2011-2012 Terrorism Research Award Participants
8/4/2011
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Internship: Communication
8/4/2011
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START Responds to White House Report on Preventing Violent Extremism
8/3/2011
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JOB OPPORTUNITY: Events and Transition Coordinator
8/2/2011
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START Director Gary LaFree Comments on Terrorism Research Before and After 9/11
7/14/2011
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START Affiliate Offers Master's Degree in Counter Terrorism and Security Studies
7/11/2011
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START Researchers Featured in Journal of Homeland Security
7/7/2011
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Background Report: Suicide Attack on Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan
6/29/2011
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START Releases New Data Collections
6/23/2011
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New START Project to Focus on Extremist Violence in U.S. Counties
6/10/2011
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START Congratulates its Graduating Seniors
5/19/2011
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START Response to Death of bin Laden
5/4/2011
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Spring 2011 START Bulletin Now Available
4/29/2011
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Background Report: Suicide Attack at Moscow Airport
1/25/2011
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Background Report: Incendiary Devices in Packages
1/7/2011
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Fall 2010 START Bulletin Now Available
12/2/2010
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Background Report on Package Bombs on Cargo Planes
11/1/2010
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Materials Available from START Seminar, "The Role of Academia in Homeland Security"
10/25/2010
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Follow the START Seminar, "The Role of Academia in Homeland Security" Live on Twitter
9/15/2010
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START Releases First Research Review
10/21/2009
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