THE rise in terrorist attacks worldwide and the transnational threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) is one of the most pressing national security concerns for most countries. Against this backdrop, governments are exploring “softer” approaches to countering the threat of militant Islamic extremism and terrorism. This issue looks at the nature and extent of community engagement and terrorist rehabilitation efforts in Australia, China and Nigeria.

In this issue, Jason Hartley and Adrian Cherney share insights into Australia’s community engagement efforts with the Muslim communities in countering religious extremism. The authors note that key challenges encountered by the Australian police (AFP) include a lack of trust felt by the local Muslim communities towards the local authorities and ensuring sustainable partnerships with the local communities in the long-term. To overcome these challenges, they recommend learning from past experiences and drawing upon the successful case studies of community engagement efforts implemented in other parts of the world.

Zunyou Zhou examines the Chinese model of rehabilitating terrorists in light of the country’s newly passed Counter-Terrorism Law. He notes that the legal basis for initiating a rehabilitation programme will set the tone for more sustained and comprehensive approaches to thwart further attacks by terrorists.

Ogbogu Jennifer Chidinma provides an overview of Nigeria’s past and present experiences in de-radicalising and rehabilitating the country’s militants. This includes those whose grievances stem from material factors and those who are increasingly inspired by the militant Islamic extremist ideologies of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).