Introduction

This chapter introduces the following paper entitled "Joining al-Qaeda: Jihadist Recruitment in Europe." The research used for this paper comes from original, "semi-structured" interviews conducted with French, Spanish, & British law-enforcement & intelligence officers dealing violent extremism & radicalization, community leaders such as imans & youth leaders who have first hand contact with extremist recruitment, & radicals & former radicals associated with networks condoning violent extremism. Additionally, literature, media, & government policy reports pertaining to recruitment, radicalism & violent extremism is reviewed. Also, operational definitions are given for the terms: radicalism, recruitment, extremism, terrorism, & Islamic militancy. Goger, A.