Are refugee camps hotbeds of radicalization?

 “To what extent would these conflicting ideologies be reflected within a refugee community?” Are refugee camps hotbeds of radicalization (a relevant fear recently within potential host nations)?

What I came up with was a fascinating analysis of the current potential for radicalization within the Syrian refugee population prepared by the Rand Corporation that was extremely well-researched and available free online. I encourage anyone in the class who might have some of the similar questions as I to read through it. The Link is provided below but I will hit some of the main points.

The report admits that general violence can be found within displaced communities in general but “specific combinations of factors can be more relevant for predicting the conditions most likely to contribute to radicalization: actions of the receiving country and its citizens, the refugees' loss of personal opportunities in prolonged crises, and lack of integrated programs” (Sude et. al).

They suggests that the risk of radicalization can be mitigated if “the main stakeholders adopt comprehensive policies that extend beyond immediate life-saving needs and address such issues as the refugees’ impact on the countries that hosts them” (Sude et. al). I am appreciative of the Rand Corporation’s approach in this analysis as it is proactive. They warn that the time to start thinking about radicalization is before it happens by addressing the specific set of circumstances that might produce it. It is refreshing that the piece does not assume that radicalization is a given and looks for solutions based on that false assumption that merely refuses asylum seekers.

This is interesting reading for anyone interested in learning more about the potential for radicalization within these communities.

http://www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PE166.html

Works Cited

Sude, Barbara, David Stebbins and Sarah Weilant. Lessening the Risk of Refugee             Radicalization: Lessons for the Middle East from Past Crises. Santa Monica, CA: RAND             Corporation, 2015. http://www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PE166.html.