Counter - and Alternative - Narrative for a comprehensive Strategy to Effectively Combat ISIS Propaganda

(Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), 27 October 2015)

Abstract

Professor Alex P. Schmid began with a concise definition of extremism: an “intolerant, authoritarian ideological position whose adherents view politics not as a peaceful competition between parties… but as a zero-sum struggle, utilising… criminal and violent tactics.” Extremism, he said, was ultimately the product of radicalisation, itself a political polarisation accompanied by the rejection of any and all dialogue with those who hold opposing views. Using these generalities as a framework, Schmid proceeded with his analysis of ISIS and its propaganda machine.