Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 10/2014

Creating Spaces for Effective CVE Approaches

Georgia Holmer

September 2014

United States Institute of Peace

Abstract

Unlike other counterterrorism strategies, countering violent extremism (CVE) focuses on preventing individuals from being recruited into or joining violent extremist groups. CVE is a complex endeavor, largely because the reasons individuals become involved in extremist violence are in themselves complex and the dynamics are unique to each conflict. Using Kenya as an example, and drawing on observations from a recent visit, the author explores how promoting a more nuanced understanding of radicalization can help reach those who are at risk of being pushed and pulled into extremist violence.