Understanding Islamism
A Policy Exchange ProjectLatest Blogs

Prevent needs to have confidence in its own identity
When William Shawcross was appointed to lead an independent review of Prevent, I argued he needed to put the fight against non-violent extremism at the heart of the strategy. As we approach the long-awaited submission of his report to the Home Secretary, interest is increasing.

When WILL we wake up to the threat from radical Islamists in our jail system?
Convicted Islamist terrorists seizing ‘control’ of prison wings and setting up sharia courts. Staff terrified of confronting Muslim inmates for fear of being accused of racism.
Devout prisoners dictating the diets of fellow non-Muslim prisoners, and even appointing their own ‘emirs’ — unofficial leaders — to whom prison officers appeal to maintain order.

Anti Zionism Coordination (AZC) Annual Conference and Jeremy Corbyn MP
On 12 February 2022, Anti Zionism Coordination (AZC) held online its annual rally, entitled 2022, The Year to Combat Normalization: We Will Resist the Entity and Protect the Homeland. The AZC — said to be based in Istanbul — was launched in February 2021, bringing together ‘anti-normalisation’ and ‘pro-Palestinian’ activists from 20 countries.
Latest Publications

Islamism and the Left
Sir John JenkinsThis paper seeks to consider the question of the relationship between Islamism (in all its forms) and parts of the Left, not just in France but more broadly. It proceeds from the assumption that such a relationship exists and is not simply tactical.

Grasping the Nettle
Sir John Jenkins and Clarisse PásztoryThe evolving Austrian debate on Islamism – reflecting in turn a growing public understanding of the issues over the last decade – continues to be of great interest to anyone concerned with the future of a liberal democratic state system. In France, the Macron government has been spurred into action by acts of terror. In Italy successive governments have for years used their long experience with combating organised crime to remove Islamist hate-preachers and others who undermine social cohesion with admirable expedition. In Germany concern about Islamism is at last gaining traction beyond the intelligence agencies. But it is in Austria over the last three years that the public and now governmental focus on the subject has in some ways been most sustained and instructive.

Understanding Islamism
Sir John Jenkins, Dr Martyn Frampton and Tom WilsonWhat word should we use to describe those who resort to violence in the name of Islam? This question has recently been the cause of much angst and uncertainty in official circles – and nowhere more so than within the ranks of the British police. In July of this year, reports surfaced that through its Counter Terrorism Advisory Network, the Metropolitan Police had held a consultation on finding an alternative to the term ‘Islamist terrorism’—with Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, the head of national counter terrorism policing, and Chief Superintendent Nik Adams, National Coordinator for Prevent policing, both attending the online meeting.