Terrorist Rehabilitation: The US Experience in Iraq is a new book from publishers Taylor & Francis. The book seeks to demonstrate that terrorist deradicalisation and rehabilitation programs can succeed. Terrorists are made, not born, it argues.
As such, say the authors Dr Ami Angell and Dr Rohan Gunaratna, it is critically important to world peace to explore all avenues to influence and change violent ideology. The personal experiences of hundreds of military personnel, defense contractors, and Iraqi nationals recounted in this book show the ability to positively impact thousands of would-be terrorists. An ideological transformation can occur in detainees. With the proper program and encouragement, a detaineeโs misunderstanding or extremist ideology can be replaced with the principles of moderation, toleration, and coexistence. They can qualify to be reclassified as no longer posing a security threat. Detainees and inmates influenced by violent ideology can be deradicalised and rehabilitated, even returned back into society. Custodial and community rehabilitation of terrorist extremists is a new frontier in the fight against terrorism. The book outlines how it can be done and performed globally. It also illustrates clearly why we must shift the focus from only detainment and imprisonment to rehabilitation.
