Category Archives: Terrorism

Responding to Terrorism in Paris

The director and fellows of the Institut d’Études Avancées de Paris—where I am currently serving as a Résident (Residential Fellow) during the 2014-2015 academic year—held a meeting in the aftermath of the attack on Charlie Hebdo to discuss ways in … Continue reading

Posted in European History, European Union, French History, History of Violence, Human Rights, Paris History, Religious Violence, Terrorism | 1 Comment

La Marche Républicaine in Paris

Things have been rather crazy in Paris over the past week with the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo, the shootings of police officers, the massive manhunt for the gunmen, and two police assaults on a print shop and a Hyper … Continue reading

Posted in European History, European Union, French History, Human Rights, Paris History, Political Culture, Religious Violence, Terrorism | 1 Comment

A French September 11?

The cover of Le Monde, the leading French newspaper, displayed a photo of the spontaneous rally at the place de la République on Wednesday evening, 7 January, following the horrific attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo earlier in the … Continue reading

Posted in Atrocities, Civilians and Refugees in War, European History, European Union, French History, History of Violence, Human Rights, Paris History, Political Culture, Religious Politics, Religious Violence, Strategy and International Politics, Terrorism, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Massacre of Journalists at Charlie Hebdo in Paris

Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical publication in Paris, was attacked by terrorists this morning. Two gunmen reportedly entered the offices of Charlie Hebdo and opened fire, killing ten people and wounding more. The gunmen then exited the building and opened … Continue reading

Posted in Atrocities, Civilians and Refugees in War, Contemporary Art, French History, History in the Media, History of the Book, History of Violence, Paris History, Terrorism, War, Culture, and Society | 1 Comment

Torture and Secrecy

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) tortured detainees.  CIA agents and interrogators used a variety of brutal and inhumane methods to torture terrorism suspects during repeated coercive interrogations. Those are the findings of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence’s Committee … Continue reading

Posted in Atrocities, Civilians and Refugees in War, Culture, History of Violence, Strategy and International Politics, Terrorism, War and Society | Leave a comment

Civilian Casualties in Drone Attacks

Drone attacks by the United States have killed hundreds of civilians, according to a new study by the human-rights organization Reprieve. The Guardian reports that: “Reprieve, sifting through reports compiled by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, examined cases in which … Continue reading

Posted in Atrocities, Civilians and Refugees in War, History of Violence, Human Rights, Strategy and International Politics, Terrorism, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Taliban Attack on Taverna Restaurant in Kabul

Originally posted on Cluster for the Study of Religious Violence:
The Taliban launched a well-coordinated attack on the Taverna di Liban restaurant, which is located in one of the most secure neighborhoods in Kabul, Afghanistan. Foreign nationals and aid workers…

Posted in Civilians and Refugees in War, Religious Violence, Terrorism | Leave a comment

Changing Organization of Al-Shabab

Originally posted on Cluster for the Study of Religious Violence:
The al-Shabab organization has clearly been evolving over the past months, perhaps leading to its spectacular attack on Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, last week. Analysts who study terrorist organizations…

Posted in Civil Conflict, Civilians and Refugees in War, History of Violence, Religious Politics, Religious Violence, Terrorism, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Is Violence Contagious?

A new article in The Atlantic provocatively states that “Violence is Contagious.” Drawing on recent sociological and psychological studies, the article suggests that violence spreads like an epidemic. Certainly, metaphors frequently compare violence to a disease. Waves of violence are … Continue reading

Posted in Arms Control, Civil Conflict, Civilians and Refugees in War, History of Violence, Religious Violence, Revolts and Revolutions, Terrorism, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Al-Shabab Attack in Nairobi

Originally posted on Cluster for the Study of Religious Violence:
The militant group Al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for an attack by multiple gunmen at a shopping mall in Nairobi known as the Westgate centre. The BBC reports that “The attackers…

Posted in Civil Conflict, Civilians and Refugees in War, History of Violence, Religious Politics, Religious Violence, Terrorism | Leave a comment