WSC6 - Day Two

Yesterday finished up with an excellent session on radicalisation and how terrorists recruit. I'll write more on this, but I'm getting some good interviews today from that session. These will be uploaded over the weekend. The organisers are nice enough to include one speaker a year to act as a sort of caberet act. Previously we've had the deeply, deeply barking Claudia Rosset, but they realised Blairwatch was getting a bit blase and have pulled out all the stops to get us Mad Mel Philips. Thanks guys, we appreciate it.

Although I've not heard much that is new, it is more a matter of hearing updates on research, on projects and how progressive counter extremism ideas are gaining traction.

The event is, perhaps too, focussed on isl;amic terrorism. Historically we've often been blindsided by events. I'm wondering if we, especially in Europe, should start looking at ourselves. Although migrant communities do host dangerous radicals, I am wondering if the growing crisis - and we've seen nothing yet - coupled with protectionism, anti-EU sentiment and growing racism could provide a 'perfect storm' for Europe's far-right to gain. The EU elections will provide a snapshot of this, but I think we should spend some time on this.

Additionally, as discussed last year, all faiths have their extremists, those guided by dogma and utter certainty. Sure, Islamic fundamentalism is the big issue, but lets keep our eyes open.