Australia’s challenge — the return of fighters from Syria

The U.S. should pay attention to what happens in Australia 

It is estimated that since 2012, 120 to 150 Australians have traveled to Syria to either support or fight alongside rebels against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad Next Gen Jihad-Lowy Institute. Of those Australians who are fighting, many are believed to be members of Jabhat al-Nusra and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL); a militant group connected to al-Qaeda Sydney Morning Herald-Al-Qaeda terrorist threat to Australia.

The concern for Australia is the significant possibility of radicalized Australians — with battle experience and a renewed profound anti-western ideology — returning to Australia, recruiting others to violent extremism and then pursuing acts of domestic terrorism against the citizens and governments of Australia Sydney Morning Herald-Al-Qaeda terrorist threat to Australia.

This bitterness towards western ideology, coupled with Australia’s active role in the post 9/11 Global War on Terrorism and the U.S. role of unremarkable involvement in the Syrian conflict, could aggravate the eventual post Syria response by extremists towards countries such as Australia and thereby creating additional tension between extremists and those they believe threaten Islam. These factors will almost certainly allow extremists the ability to further justify their use of violence as well as providing a content rich narrative to recruit others towards violence.

The Syrian situation and its potential domestic impacts to Australia are of such concern that Australian Security Intelligence (ASIO) Organization Director General David Irvine specifically addressed the Syrian issue in his recent 2013 ASIO Report to Parliament ASIO Report to Australian Parliament. In addition, the report also discussed the challenges for security agencies associated with “home-grown terrorism” and “lone actors.” A different context to ASIO’s perceived challenge is presented by the Lowry Institute for International Policy which notes that even if some Australians are not intent on continuing their terrorist activities upon arriving home, the focus on them by Australian security agencies could create feelings of resentment and discrimination which could lead them to retaliate Next Gen Jihad-Lowy Institute.

With the near certain domestic unrest as Australians return from Syria, Australia is by no means exempt from the effects of terrorism. Australia has done well in its ability to quickly respond and adapt both nationally and internationally to the ever changing threat of terrorism; its shifting environs and methods. However, Australia’s current environment may be its biggest challenge to date and the strength of its domestic counterterrorism programs is undoubtedly being tested now and will continue in the coming months and years.

Going forward, addressing the long term causes of terrorism by focusing on programs designed to recognize, intervene and prevent self radicalization from taking hold through community engagement may be the most effective strategy in maintaining and strengthening Australia’s resistance to violent extremism. Australia’s pace of constant transformation will need to continue on order to effectively anticipate, prevent and counter the effects of extremist ideological rhetoric and its call to violent extremism which some Australians will undoubtedly experience in the coming years.

Countering the narrative, engaging communities in order to build and maintain trust and providing practical, useful resources will be crucial to delivering an effective counterterrorism strategy. Published just three months ago, a March 2014 report by the Lowy Institute for International Policy which studied the genesis of the next generation of jihadists indicated “For these and other reasons Australia is not about to escape the ‘war on terror’ era any time soon Next Gen Jihad-Lowy Institute.

The U.S. should closely monitor the events in Australia and recognize it as an opportunity to view into a near distant future of potential U.S. counterterrorism challenges. Watching how Australia address this issue, engages its communities and implements its counterterrorism strategies will be beneficial for the U.S. as it too, prepares for its own challenges with self radicalization and violent extremism.