Countering Violent Extremism and Youth Radicalization in Pakistani Universities; Diplomacy Lab

Diplomacy Lab is an partnership between the State Department and various universities. Professors write bids for relevant projects, then spend the semester researching and writing policy briefs for various offices at the State Department. Students enroll in IS/PSCI 4034: Topics in Diplomacy Lab to earn 3 credits. Opportunities include participating in group research (with undergraduates, MA students, PhD candidates, faculty, and practitioners), publishing, and presenting in Washington D.C.

This Project:

Senior officials from universities, government, and security agencies have acknowledged growing radicalization on university campuses across Pakistan, particularly in the fifth largest city of the world (Karachi). The U.S. government’s efforts to increase the capacity of universities – as well as civilian institutions, government, military, and NGOs – to counter violent extremism and strengthen the government’s counterinsurgency and counterterrorism capabilities are critical to our efforts against militancy and radical messaging. No single factor explains the growing lack of tolerance on Pakistan’s campuses, which have been ascribed to political, ethnic, and sectarian tensions. Historically, political parties and other international groups started influencing Pakistan’s student unions and councils in the 1970s and 1980s, changing heated intellectual debates into violent clashes. In terms of “hard” strategies, universities have since turned to constructing boundary walls, installing barbed wires, relying on CCTV cameras, and buying weapons to secure universities. In terms of “soft” strategies, universities have focused on sports, arts, and alternative messaging. This comparative project will be used by political officers and USAID development officers to inform policies related to countering youth radicalization.

Key questions include:

• How have universities responded to violent extremism (CVE) and youth radicalization on multicultural university campuses? How have universities defined “success” and “failure” of CVE programs?

• What specific policies have led to “success” in the short-, medium-, and long-term?

Interested students should contact Chris Price or visit 119 Major Williams Hall.

All majors are welcome!