In recent months, there have been growing calls for U.S. counterterrorism policy to focus on the issue of “homegrown radicalization” among American Muslims. At the same time, right-wing commentators, who claim that Islam is a uniquely extremist religion, have gained increasing prominence. Rep. Peter King has called congressional hearings to look into the matter.
Open Society Fellow Arun Kundnani looks at these events and asks whether the United States is now following in the footsteps of Europe, where similar developments occurred after terrorist attacks in Madrid and London. He also draws some surprising lessons from the counter-radicalization policies implemented in Britain.
Wendy Patten, senior policy analyst for the Open Society Foundations, introduced the event.