The Henry Jackson Society is proud to announce the launch of its new research centre, The Centre for the Response to Radicalisation and Terrorism (CRT). This first-of-its-kind institute ties together HJS experts’ extensive knowledge and the organisation’s unique reach to provide top-quality, in-depth research coupled with the proactive execution and implementation of targeted, tangible and impactful activities to combat the very real threat radical Islam poses to our society. Among the many activities of the Centre, particular focus will be paid to:

• Strengthening institutional responses to radical Islam


• Preventing the danger of returning jihadi fighters


• Enforcing the law to defend British citizenship


• Halting the abuse of charities


• Fighting false claims that challenging radical Islam is “Islamophobia”

The Centre’s already able to point to significant impact. On the domestic front, last week the policy paper Disrupting Extremists: More Effective Use of Existing Legislation was released publicly for the first time, tying together in detail our behind-the-scenes advocacy on the way in which ‘proscribed organisation offences’ could effectively disrupt British-based extremists. These very laws were used effectively for the first time in years that same week to arrest members of the banned radical Islamic group al-Muahjiroun.

The Centre has also had an impact on foreign policy already, with the CRT launching a policy paper aimed at MPs entitled The Legal Case for British Military Action Against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria in the run-up to the Parliamentary vote on air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq. The timely paper provided a break-down of the reasons why Britain is able under international law to join the international coalition fighting IS not only in Iraq but in Syria too. An earlier briefing Understanding the Islamic State, gave MPs an in-depth background on the history and capability of the terrorist group.

Finally, with public attention turned towards the threat from returning jihadists, evidencing the complicated link between domestic and foreign threats, the Centre’s initial publications also included the paper British Jihadists: Preventing Travel Abroad and Stopping Attacks at Home, utilising our strong research base to show that a high percentage of terrorist suspects in Britain had had experience fighting abroad and offering academic analysis on the threat profile.

The CRT’s work has already been featured in The Evening Standard and The Independent.

The CRT will be made up of our team of experts:

Dr. Alan Mendoza

Dr. Alan Mendoza is a Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Henry Jackson Society, and will direct the strategic approach of the new Centre. Alan is a recognised authority on domestic and international security and defence, the transatlantic relationship and Middle East. He is a frequent speaker on various foreign policy topics and makes regular appearances on the BBC, Sky, CNBC, Al-Jazeera, and Bloomberg.

Douglas Murray

Douglas Murray is an award-winning author, noted political journalist and outspoken voice on radicalisation and Islam. He serves as Associate Director at The Henry Jackson Society, previously having founded the Centre for Social Cohesion, a think tank studying extremism and terrorism in the UK. Douglas also serves as Associate Editor at the Spectator and columnist for Standpoint, and is regularly called upon by the major media outlets. He is an acclaimed author of books on conservatism, terrorism and national security.

Davis Lewin

Davis Lewin is Deputy Director and Head of Policy & Research at The Henry Jackson Society, overseeing the organisation’s research, political and public education programmes. Davis frequently briefs politicians and legislative committees and comments in the media on matters related to terrorism, the Middle East and UK defence. He is an adviser to the UK MOD Director of Defence Communications Advisory Panel and author of a Parliamentary study of UK Homeland Security policy.

Robin Simcox

Robin Simcox is an internationally-recognised expert on terrorism and national security. Robin’s work includes the authoritative guide to Islamist terrorism utilised by both the UK and US governments. He is frequently consulted by the British government and has been called up multiple times to testify before the US Congress. Robin has written for Foreign Affairs, the Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times and regularly appears on networks such as BBC, CNN, Sky and Fox News.

Hannah Stuart

Hannah Stuart is a foremost expert of radicalisation and Islam, having authored reports on extremism, terrorism and jihadist ideology as well as religious law and the role of religion in the public sphere. Her work has informed UK government policy, providing written and oral testimony on radicalisation to the UK Home Affairs Select Committee, and regularly consults the UK Home Office and other government bodies. Hannah frequently provides written analysis for major publications such as the Wall Street Journal, the Times, Foreign Policy, Current Trends in Islamist Ideology, and the Guardian.

Emily Dyer

Emily Dyer’s work concentrates on security and terrorism with a particular focus on Islamist threats to the rights of women. Emily has presented her work before the British and European Parliaments, as well as the White House and US National Counterterrorism Center. She has written for Foreign Affairs, the Atlantic and the Telegraph and commented in the media for the BBC and Sky News.

Rupert Sutton

Rupert Sutton focuses on domestic extremism and global terrorism. Rupert runs ‘Student Rights’, a nonpartisan group dedicated to challenging extremism on UK university campuses. His publications include Challenging Extremists: Practical Frameworks for our Universities and At What Price? Transparency and Ethics in Higher Education Funding from Overseas. Rupert has been called upon to present his research before both the British and European Parliaments. He has written for media publications World Affairs, the New Humanist, Haaretz, and the Times of Israel.