Family Terror Networks

Dean C. Alexander's groundbreaking book, Family Terror Networks, analyzes the emerging and troubling aspects of family terror networks. In doing so, the work chronicles the issue of family affiliated terrorism along the following construct. Chapter 1 addresses general principles of terrorism. Chapter 2 discusses the characteristics of family terror networks. Chapter 3 shares case studies involving family terror networks across ideologies. Chapter 4 proposes a model for predicting family terror networks and its utility in combating this type of political violence. Also, analysis of the 118 case studies of family connected terrorism involving 138 examples of kin relationships (e.g., brothers, husbands/wives, and fathers/sons) is provided. For purposes of these case studies, the term terrorism also signifies individuals otherwise referred to as extremists in the media. Chapter 5 describes law enforcement responses to terrorism, which concurrently undermine kin connected terrorism. The epilogue projects as to the future of family terror networks. The appendix offers an inventory of the cases covered in the book by the names of family members, kin relationships, and extremist ideologies. This is the ideal book for policy makers, criminal justice professionals, academics, students, and others seeking to understand this threat.

Dean C. Alexander, J.D., LL.M., is Director, Homeland Security Research Program and Professor at the School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration at Western Illinois University. Since publishing on terrorism in 1991, Professor Alexander has published several books on the topic, including: The Islamic State: Combating the Caliphate Without Borders (Lexington, 2015), Business Confronts Terrorism: Risks and Responses (University of Wisconsin, 2004), and Terrorism and Business: The Impact of September 11, 2001 (Transnational, 2002). He has trained law enforcement and military personnel in the United States and abroad on terrorism and counterterrorism issues at NATO's Center of Excellence Defense Against Terrorism (Turkey), Illinois Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center, Oregon Fusion Center, and Milwaukee Police Department, among many other institutions. His insights on terrorism have been featured in domestic and international media, among them: the Washington Post, Voice of America, Tribune de Genève, and NHK.