The Radical Group in Context: 2. Identification of Critical Elements in the Analysis of Risk for Terrorism by Radical Group Type

In this second of two linked articles describing an integrated framework for the analysis of risk for terrorism of a radical group, a subset of observable indicators for each of the 32 variables within the integrated framework is presented. On the basis of an expert knowledge acquisition process, five types of terrorist groups-- nationalist-separatist, religious fundamentalist, new religions (other religious extremists, including millenarian cults), social revolutionary, and right wing--are compared in order to identify which indicators are of greatest importance for each terrorist group type. Historical, cultural, and contextual features can be assessed effectively through the use of open sources and experts. Group characteristics, processes, and structures were consistently rated as highly important across all five group types. Ratings for new religions differed most consistently from those of other group types.