In the second paper of the ICSR Future Actions Series, Intelligence Analyst Kevin O'Brien presents an insightful look at the evolution of national security intelligence, through dramatic organisational and technological changes in recent years. O'Brien points out the rapid disapperance of borders between domestic and foreign security threats, and the corresponding evolution in relationships among security and intelligence agencies focusing on these areas. Meanwhile, rapid technological revolution and the growth of cyberspace has fundamentally changed the way that agencies can utilize and share data, presenting both opportunities for change and potential for failure if security threats are able to make better use of them. O'Brien describes ten specific strategic challenges to today's security and intelligence system, and calls for dramatic change in order to overcome weaknesses and inadequacies in current structures.

Download 'The Changing Security and Intelligence Landscape in the 21st Century' by Kevin O'Brien here.

In late 2006, the European Commission charged one of ICSR’s partners, King’s College London, with conducting an in-depth study of the ways in which Islamist militants in Europe were being recruited and mobilised. The resulting ICSR study – ‘Recruitment and Mobilisation for the Islamist Militant Movement in Europe’ – was published on 1 October 2008, and – along with three other studies – will form the basis for EU policy-making on the issue of preventing violent radicalisation. Based on secondary research as well as extensive fieldwork in Britain, France and Spain, the ICSR report provides the most comprehensive picture to date of the methods through which Islamist militants in Europe mobilise their supporters and find new recruits.

For an executive summary with key findings, click here.

The study can be accessed through the European Commission’s European Commission's website. Or it can be directly downloaded here.