“What is Going on in the World?” Countering and Preventing the Spread of Violent Extremism: a View from the U.S.

The rise of violent extremism represents the pre-eminent challenge of the young 21st century and defies every one of us, our communities, our nations and the global rule of law. How, who and where to deal with violent extremism are some of the questions that were addressed in a recent summit in Washington DC hosted by President Obama, which brought together leading figures from local and national governments, civil society, and the private sector around the world to expand the global conversation and share best practices in preventing and countering violent extremism. In this effort to build a global partnership against violent extremism, there is a growing need to transform the environments that give birth to these movements and generate credible alternatives that are visible to the populations where terrorists seek to thrive. In this regard, Alejandro J. Beutel, Countering Violent Extremism Researcher at START, will share his knowledge on how the U.S. is confronting violent extremism at a local level. These new frameworks for preventing violent extremism include promoting a key role to local communities, civil society, religious leaders, and the private sector; addressing the political, social, and economic grievances that alienate young men and women and make them more susceptible to the siren call of extreme ideologies and building trust and cooperation between security forces and the communities they are charged to protect. 

Alejandro J. Beutel is Researcher for Countering Violent Extremism at the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START). Prior to START, Beutel was the Policy and Research Engagement Fellow at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), an applied research think-tank specializing in the study and promotion of evidence-based development strategies for positive civic, social, and political engagement outcomes for American Muslim communities. He was also an independent research consultant to several non-profits, private corporations, and think-tanks.

The session will be moderated by Anna Bosch, journalist at TVE and former correspondent in London, Washington DC and Moscow