Homegrown terrorism and radicalisation in Europe

Terrorism is one of the most important security threats today and has manifested itself in different forms at different times throughout history. Contrary to the traditional definition of terrorism, homegrown terrorism differs in terms of its source, functioning and causes. What makes homegrown terrorism unique is that second and third generation Muslim immigrants become radicalized and carry out acts of terrorism in the countries of their citizenship or long-term residence. In this context, most of the terrorist incidents that have taken place in Europe since 2005 can be classified as homegrown terrorism. In this study, it will be focused on how the immigration and integration policies of France and Germany, the first two countries with the largest Muslim population in Europe, affect their relations with immigrants and how they triggered radicalization and paved the way for the emergence of homegrown terrorism. While doing this, terrorist organizations in the past and the historical process of terrorism will be examined and the differences of homegrown terrorism from other types of terrorism will be revealed. In this way, homegrown terrorism and radicalization will be defined, and the general characteristics of radicalized individuals, their radicalization points and the factors that directly affect radicalization will be explained. In this context, by emphasizing how the radicalization process works, the relations between radicalization and state policies affecting radicalization will be examined. In addition, by making a comparative analysis of the attitudes and policies of France and Germany towards immigrants, the history of immigration, integration policies, religion and state relations of both countries, the socio-economic problems faced by immigrants and the relationship between homegrown terrorism will be analysed.