The terror attacks to the Brussels airport and a city metro station in Belgium on March 22, 2016 underscored a perplexing security challenge from transnational jihadist networks in both Asia and in the West. In particular, the threat from violent jihadism, accompanied by the rise of religious extremism, presents an enduring challenge for governments in many parts of the world. This is particularly so in European countries and in parts of North America, which has of late, witnessed an uptick in the radicalisation of a significant portion of their Muslim population.

In this issue, Shahzeb Ali Rathore discusses the factors for the growth in jihadist networks across Europe and reflects on some of the lessons learned for European nations.

Rohan Gunaratna argues that, in the wake of the Paris and Brussels attack, Europe must take stock of how it has been fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS). To displace the group’s centre of gravity, airstrikes alone are insufficient. He observes that European nations must seek to understand the ideology underpinning the group’s struggle and work with Muslim religious, educational, media and other community organisations to reach out to the Muslim diaspora and migrant communities to counter the spread of ISIS’ vicious ideology.

Kathleen Turner explores the tactical and strategic motivations for terrorist groups to deploy female suicide bombers. She observes that a proactive approach which includes prevention, engagement, training and research is needed, in order to deter women from joining extremist and terrorist organisations.