December 6, 2017 | By Martin Walls On Nov. 15 and 16, Corri Zoli, director of research for the Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism (INSCT) and a research assistant professor in the Maxwell School, represented Syracuse University at two United Nations Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate (UN CTED) workshops, at New York University and United Nations headquarters.

“Few people know that the UN has taken a leading role in counterterrorism efforts around the world,” says Zoli. “Two weeks after the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001, the UN unanimously established the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) by Security Council Resolution No. 1373 (2001), comprising all 15 Security Council members. To help advise member states around the world in measures to advance their legal and institutional capacity to counter terrorist groups, attacks and criminal activities, the Security Council in 2004 established CTED to assist in the research needed to help the CTC monitor and implement counterterrorism measures, from criminalizing the financing of terrorism to information sharing about safe havens or groups supporting terrorists.”

At both events, Zoli provided insights on data-driven approaches to understanding terrorism, radicalization and countering violent extremism (CVE). She also shared information with colleagues and delegates on the systems, critical infrastructures and organizational structures that terrorist organizations often use to effect their goals of political violence and creating fear among local populations.

At the UN headquarters event, Zoli was included as an expert on questions from concerned delegates from across the globe interested in understanding “best practices” to combat terrorism. Queries posed included how to lawfully deal with foreign fighters returning home and what measures should be taken for counter-radicalization, including for women and children who were also drawn to the Levant by groups such as ISIS and Al Nusra.

Zoli’s presence at this conference continues INSCT’s close collaboration with UN CTED. For the past few years, law and graduate students in INSCT’s Law 822 Research Center have presented research to the directorate on how UN member states are complying with UN Security Council Resolution 2178, which calls on members to prevent the “recruiting, organizing, transporting or equipping of individuals who travel to a State … for the purpose of the perpetration, planning of or participation in terrorist acts.”

In May 2016, INSCT was invited by UN CTED to join The Prevention Project, directed by former US Department of State counterterrorism official Eric Rosand through the Global Center on Cooperative Security. The project aims to support member states’ efforts to deal holistically and constructively with citizens who travel to fight with extremist and terrorist organizations.