Conference: Suicide Terrorism in a Globalized World

Recent studies of suicide terrorism have focused on the regional and group contexts in which suicide terrorism tactics emerge. Region- and group-specific data and methodology is pertinent given the local importance of mobilizing issues, recruitment mechanisms, and targets. However, such a focus risks missing the connections between groups and regions, and perhaps underestimates the importance of global communications, as well as the implications of this phenomenon on the conflict in Iraq. Moreover, concentrating on a regional- or group-specific methodology also risks tying the discussion to case-studies and may thwart the creation of a broader understanding of suicide terrorism.

This workshop examines suicide terrorism through a global lens and aims to discuss current and future trends as well as possible countermeasures to control, stall, and counteract the evolving threats posed by this growing phenomenon.

CONFERENCE AGENDA

May 16, 2006

PART ONE: Current Knowledge about Suicide Terrorism

8:30-9:00 Breakfast and Registration
9:00-9:15 Welcome and Introductions
9:15-10:00 Panel I: Recapping Findings


PART TWO: Current and Future Trends in Suicide Terrorism

10:00-10:45 Panel II: The Adaptive Character of Suicide Terrorists
10:45 -11: 00 Break
11:00-11:30 Question and Answer Session
11:30-12:30 Panel III: The Globalization of Suicide Terrorism
12: 30-1:00 Question and Answer Session
1:00-2:00 Lunch Break
2:00-2:45 Panel IV: Societal Responses to Terrorism
2:45-3:00 Break
3:00-3:45 Panel V: Diasporas and Suicide Terrorism in Europe
3:45-4:15 Question and Answer Session
4:15-4:30 Wrap-Up and Concluding Remarks


May 17, 2006

PART THREE: Initiatives and Possible Countermeasures to Suicide Terrorism

8:30-8:45 Opening Remarks
8:45-9:45 Panel VI: Iraq as a Global Focal Point for Suicide Terrorism?
9:45-10:15 Question and Answer Session
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-11:45 Panel VII: Countermeasures and Policy Responses
11:15-12:15 Question and Answer Session
12:15-1:00 Lunch Break
1:00-2:00 Panel VIII: Main Conclusions
2: 00-2:15 Concluding Remarks

CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS
Rogelio Alonso, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
Mia Bloom, University of Georgia
Gary Ermutlu, United Nations
Gary Freeman, University of Texas at Austin
Mohammed Hafez, University of Missouri, Kansas City
John Higley, University of Texas at Austin
Bruce Hoffman, RAND Corporation
Farhad Khosrokhavar, Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales
Evan Kohlmann, Globalterroralert.com
Patrick McDonald, University of Texas at Austin
Assaf Moghadam, Harvard University
Stanley Newman, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago
Ami Pedahzur, University of Texas at Austin
Ari Perlinger, Haifa University
Babak Rahimi, University of California San Diego
Richard Wike, PEW Research Center

Free and open to the public.
Please sign up at the registration desk located at the entrance to the auditorium.


For more information, please contact Maria Tway