Research Guides: Counter-Terrorism: Quick Guide

United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee

The Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) was established by Security Council resolution 1373 (2001), which was adopted unanimously on 28 September 2001 in the wake of the 11 September terrorist attacks in the United States.

Committee's Publications

Global Survey of the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001) by member states
Prepared by the Counter-Terrorism Executive Committee Directorate, pursuant to the request of the Security Council, contained in its resolution 1963 (2010), that the Committee Executive Directorate update the previous survey, issued in November 2009 (S/2009/620).
Global survey of the implementation of Security Council resolution 1624 (2005) by Member States
This global survey assesses States’ implementation of the resolution; identifies trends
and developments since the previous survey (conducted in 2012); and provides conclusions and
recommendations.
Technical Guide to the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001)
The present technical guide to serve as a reference tool and to help ensure consistent analysis of States’ implementation efforts.
More Publications
Additional publications available through the website, including the Madrid Guiding Principles and the CTED trends report.

Counter-Terrorism Strategy

The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy was adopted by General Assembly resolution 60/288 in 2006, and states that terrorism "constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security".

The Strategy is a unique instrument to enhance the efforts of the international community to counter terrorism along four pillars:

Addressing conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism;
Preventing and combatting terrorism;
Building Member States’ capacity to prevent and combat terrorism and to strengthen the role of the United Nations system in this regard;
Ensuring the respect for human rights for all and the rule of law as the fundamental basis for countering terrorism.

UN Resources

Electronic Legal Resources on International Terrorism
Comprehensive and accurate legal information on the steps taken by the international community and individual countries in the fight against international terrorism. The site is maintained by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
UNODC Counter-Terrorism Learning Platform
The UNODC Counter-Terrorism Learning Platform is an interactive tool designed to assist criminal justice officers with their needs in the field of international cooperation against terrorism. Registration required.

Victims of Terrorism Support Portal
The Support Portal is dedicated to and highlights the importance of those individuals across the globe that have been attacked, injured, traumatized or lost their lives during terrorist attacks.

More information

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Disclaimer

This guide is intended to provide delegates and UN Secretariat Staff with selected content from both UN and non-UN sources. It references third-party web sites, books and articles. It does not imply the endorsement of the content by the United Nations.

Access to electronic Resources

Books and articles can be accessed online within the UN Headquarters. Articles can be delivered to permanent mission by e-mail upon request.

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Databases

International Security & Counter Terrorism Reference Center - EBSCO
This database offers information on virtually every dimension of security & counter-terrorism and is designed to inform the analysis process, as well as to enhance the general understanding of security and terrorism-related issues.
UNCTED Border Management Database
A comprehensive compilation of international legal instruments, standards, recommended practices and other guidance material, intended to serve as a single point of reference on the various legal and practical matters relating to counter-terrorism aspects of border management. The database is maintained by UNCTED (UN Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate).

Books

Counter-Terrorism and International law / Samuel
Date: 2012
Features articles and essays that consider the problem of international terrorism from an international legal perspective.
Counter-terrorism : international law and practice / Salinas de Frias, Samuel & White
Date: 2012
By comprehensively looking at all aspects of counter-terrorism measures from a comparative perspective, this book identifies best practices and makes clear recommendations for the future.
Counter-Terrorism Strategies in a Fragmented International Legal Order / van den Herik & Schrijver
Date: 2013
Using a unique combination of academic perspectives, practitioners' insights and a comprehensive three-part approach, this book, in a fragmented international legal order offers sound policy recommendations alongside thorough analysis of the state of international law regarding terrorism and provides fresh insights against the backdrop of recent practice.
The OIC, the UN, and counter-terrorism law-making : conflicting or cooperative legal orders / Samuel
Date: 2013
This monograph examines one important intergovernmental organisation, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Social Networks, Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism / Bouchard
Date: 2015
This book examines the radicalization process and counter-terrorism policies through the lens of social networks. It aims to show that networks should be at the forefront not only when analysing terrorists, but also when assessing the responses to their actions.

Counter-Terrorism Think Tanks & Research Centres

In the following list we present a collection of organizations, institutes, programmes and projects that seek to expand the research community’s collective knowledge of terrorism, counterterrorism, political violence, radicalisation and asymmetric conflict.

Journal Articles

Addressing Europe's Foreign Fighter Issue / Paulussen & Entenmann
Date: 2014, Vol. 25 Issue 1 (Security & Human Rights)
This article focuses on the question of what legal tools and measures legislators can and should utilise to prevent potential fighters from travelling to Syria and/or prosecuting individuals upon their return. It analyses the legal avenues available on the international and domestic levels for addressing the issue of foreign fighters.
Global Jihad and Foreign Fighters / Joffé
Date: Aug. 2016, Vol. 27 Issue 5 (Small Wars & Insurgencies)
This article looks at whether or not there is a global structure to the jihadi phenomenon and how this has evolved over the years.
Radicalization of Youth as a Growing Concern for Counter-Terrorism Policy / Bizina, Margarita; Gray, David H.
Date: Winter 2014, Vol. 5 Issue 1 (Global Security Studies)
Radicalization of youth is becoming one of the most important threats of international terrorism in the world today. Socially isolated, disenchanted young men turn to extremism in their search for identity, acceptance and purpose. This paper addresses this major implication for counter-terrorism in the U.S., Canada and Western Europe
The ‘war on terror’ and extremism: assessing the relevance of the Women, Peace and Security agenda / Ní Aoláin
Date: 2016 Vol. 92 Issue 2 (International Affairs)
This article takes a critical look at issues related to Women, Peace and Security (WPS) in relation to terrorism, counter-terrorism, and countering violent extremism (CVE).