Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism? An Assessment

Summary

This report critically assesses whether P/CVE can effectively counter violent extremist organisations (VEOs). The question has gained urgency because counter-terrorism (CT) has failed to reverse the global expansion of VEOs, while P/CVE—introduced as CT's soft-side complement two decades ago—now faces scrutiny following funding reductions from key governments. The analysis contrasts VEO operations with P/CVE responses, focusing on radical Sunni Islamist groups (Islamic State and al-Qaeda) as the principal focus of Global North powers. It identifies three constraints on P/CVE: unstable security contexts, host government influence, and fundamental evaluation challenges. The findings raise concerns about both hard and soft approaches. CT has failed to produce lasting results, while P/CVE actors often must align with governments complicit in the instability driving extremism. Weak evaluation frameworks make it difficult to determine what works. The authors call for a more rigorous, evidence-based approach grounded in a clearer understanding of how VEOs operate and why they succeed.

Keywords

P/CVE, assessment, USIP, policy

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