The mutually-beneficial relationship between terrorist organisations and the criminal underworld is well documented. For several decades, these outlawed groups have crossed paths across the globe. Now, with the fall of the Islamic State – once the richest terrorist organisation in the world – S-RM’s analysis team delve into the latest dynamics of the…
Since the first examples of CBRN agents being used in warfare, developments in treatment and prevention have been struggling to keep up. Options to mitigate the harmful effects of CBRN agents on the civilian population have been relatively limited until recent years.
In this article, we examine three cases from around the world which highlight where and under what conditions police will turn to kidnap for ransom either directly or in cooperation with organised criminal groups.
Maoist militants in Asia continue to fund their operations through so-called “revolutionary taxes,” underscoring the persistent threat of far-left extortion in the Philippines, India and Nepal, writes Rob Attwell.
On 21 and 22 May 2019, thousands of supporters of opposition leader Prabowo Subianto rioted in central Jakarta after he rejected the results of the recent general election. With the current tensions in mind, Rob Attwell explains how a combination of deep societal divisions and political polarisation is contributing to a worsening security environment…
Rakhine State in Myanmar saw two kidnappings in two months targeting Christian pastors. Rising religious nationalism in multiple Asian countries exacerbates the threats to individuals engaged in missionary and religious charity work in Asia, writes Rob Attwell.
The March 2019 mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, highlight concerns regarding an apparent shift of the far-right terrorist threat from local to global. Tim Geschwindt and Rob Attwell examine this growing threat, particularly the role of online forums for extremist networking.
Following the effective collapse of the Islamic State caliphate across Syria and Iraq in February 2019, the terrorist group appears to have extended its reach to new territories including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sri Lanka. In the space of one week, Islamic State took credit for terror attacks in both countries. Markus Korhonen places these…
Spurred by false rumours on social media, lynch mobs in India have assaulted or killed dozens of people in a number of recent incidents across the country. Markus Korhonen explores concerns over the potential for misinformation and fake news to spark communal violence in the run-up to this year’s parliamentary elections.
On 27 January 2019, two explosive devices were detonated at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu Province. The attack occurred just one week after a plebiscite confirming the creation of an autonomous Moro-Muslim homeland in Mindanao, raising doubts regarding the prospects for peace in the southern Philippines, writes Rob Attwell.…
Shortly after announcing her candidacy for prime minister, Princess Ubolratana was disqualified and the opposition party which nominated her faces dissolution, raising concerns about Thailand’s future political stability. Rob Attwell unpacks some of the key players and developments driving Thai politics ahead of the 24 March election.
Rob Attwell discusses some of the key takeaways from the recent bombing in Pulwama, Kashmir, the deadliest attack against Indian forces in 30 years.