Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorist Discourse: A Study of the Iraqi Reality after 2003

Abstract

Iraq after 2003 witnessed radical transformations leading to a security vacuum and rising extremism. Violence became linked to sectarian conflicts and political instability, while terrorists exploited digital media to spread their ideology. Factors like poverty, unemployment, and marginalization fueled an environment conducive to radicalization. The state countered this threat with security and ideological strategies, but requires a comprehensive approach that integrates economic reform, revised educational curricula, and the promotion of religious tolerance. The study highlights that combating terrorism demands addressing root political, social, and economic causes.