Europe's experience in countering radicalisation: approaches and challenges

Since the mid-2000s, several European countries have developed comprehensive counter-radicalisation programs as part of their counter-terrorism strategies, seeking to de-radicalise or disengage committed militants and, with even greater intensity, prevent the radicalisation of new ones. This article describes the genesis, main characteristics, aims, underlying philosophies, and challenges experienced by counter-radicalisation strategies in various European countries. Each country's experience has been deeply shaped by political, cultural, and legal elements unique to each society. Moreover, the programs have been in place for just a few years, and it is therefore difficult to fully assess their impact. Nevertheless, the experience to date points to certain key characteristics and challenges common to all European counter-radicalisation programs which the article seeks to outline and analyse.