Combating Jihadist Terrorism and Extremism
UK think tank focused on research and education about jihadist terrorism and extremism
| Combating Jihadist Terrorism and Extremism | |
|---|---|
| Type | Nonprofit company limited by guarantee |
| Founded | |
| Founder(s) | |
| Dissolved | |
| Registration ID | 11730673 |
| Status | |
| Headquarters | Farrer & Co, 66 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3LH, United Kingdom |
| Location | |
| Area served | |
| Services | |
| Registration | |
| Key people | |
| Website | CoJiT website |
| Remarks | |
Combating Jihadist Terrorism and Extremism (CoJiT) is a UK-registered nonprofit company limited by guarantee (company number 11730673) incorporated on 17 December 2018 to advance public education on the causes, characteristics, consequences and responses to jihadist terrorism and extremism. The organisation produces research summaries, books, reports and podcasts that examine what it describes as jihadist threats, primarily in the United Kingdom and Europe.[1] Reports suggest CoJiT has emphasised 'Islamist extremism' as a central security challenge, employing language that critics argue stigmatises Muslim communities collectively and aligns with broader networks promoting anti-Muslim narratives.[2]
Founded by Ian Maxwell, one of the Maxwell brothers (sons of media tycoon Robert Maxwell), and initially co-directed with Mohamed Amersi (who resigned on 17 October 2024), CoJiT operates with a small editorial and production team under the chairmanship of Professor Michael Clarke.[3] The organisation's activities include synthesising academic and policy research on jihadist issues, hosting podcasts, and promoting policy discussions, often framing 'political Islam' as incompatible with Western democratic values.[2] As A contemporary report makes clear, CoJiT's emphasis on "jihadist terrorism" reproduces red-flag indicators of Islamophobic framing by pathologising Muslim political expression under the guise of security concerns.[4]
History
CoJiT was incorporated on 17 December 2018 as a private company limited by guarantee without share capital, with the primary object of advancing education on jihadist terrorism and extremism.[1] Initial directors were Ian Maxwell and Mohamed Amersi, with Amersi resigning in October 2024.[3]
The organisation launched its first major publication, Jihadist Terror: New Threats, New Responses, in autumn 2019, bringing together experts to analyse jihadist issues.[5] It has since maintained a podcast series, #TerrorAnalysed, continuing its stated aim of fostering a "national conversation" on terrorism.[6]
Activities
CoJiT engages in research synthesis, publication of books and reports, and public discourse through podcasts and occasional events. Its work aims to "invigorate a national conversation" on jihadist terrorism, involving community, government, and security stakeholders.[2]
Key outputs include:
- The book Jihadist Terror: New Threats, New Responses (2019), synthesising research on jihadist causes and responses.[5]
- The podcast series CoJiT Podcasts: Combating Jihadist Terror #TerrorAnalysed, directed and presented by Anthony Richards, produced by Daniel Bowman, with research by Romy Hunt.[6]
The organisation promotes practical policy solutions and operational changes to address extremism.
Governance
| Name | Role | Appointed | Resigned | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Maxwell | Director | 17 December 2018 | Active | Dual British-French national; former media executive in Maxwell family business |
| Mohamed Amersi | Director | 17 December 2018 | 17 October 2024 | Philanthropist and businessman |
Editorial Leadership and Contributors
| Name | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Professor Michael Clarke | Chairman (Editorial Leadership) | Professor of Defence Studies; former Director General of the Royal United Services Institute |
| Anthony Richards | Editorial Director; Director and Presenter (Podcasts) | Academic specialising in terrorism and counter-terrorism studies |
| Daniel Bowman | Producer & Consultant (Podcasts) | Media production specialist |
| Romy Hunt | Researcher | Supports podcast and research activities |
Editorial Advisory Board
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Peter Clarke | |
| Sasha Havlicek | |
| Ed Husain | |
| Andrew Silke | |
| Max Taylor | |
| Richard Walton |
The board provides editorial guidance but no further titles, affiliations or descriptions are provided on the organisation's website.
Contributors
Contributors
```wiki
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Tahir Abbas | Professor of Sociology, University of Birmingham; expert on Muslim political participation and radicalisation |
| Amarnath Amarasingam | Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue; specialist in online extremism and diaspora radicalisation |
| David Anderson | Former Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation (2011–2017); barrister and crossbench peer |
| Richard Barrett | Former Director of Global Counter Terrorism Operations at MI6; founder of the Global Strategy Network |
| Jessie Blackbourn | Lecturer in Law, Durham University; researcher on counter-terrorism law and human rights |
| Kurt Braddock | Assistant Professor of Communication, American University; expert on violent extremist propaganda and deradicalisation |
| Katherine Brown | Senior Lecturer in Defence Studies, King's College London; specialist in gender, security and counter-terrorism |
| Tufyal Choudhury | Senior Lecturer in Law, Durham University; researcher on counter-terrorism, discrimination and Muslim communities |
| Salwa El-Awa | Senior Lecturer in Arabic and Islamic Studies, Swansea University; expert on contemporary Islamic thought and discourse analysis |
| Emman El-Badawy | Head of Research at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue; specialist in Islamist extremism and online radicalisation |
| John Gearson | Professor of National Security Policy, King's College London; former head of the Centre for Defence Studies |
| Paul Gill | Professor of Security and Crime Science, UCL; expert on lone-actor terrorism and offender behaviour |
| Max Hill | Former Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation (2017–2023); KC and barrister |
| Jytte Klausen | Professor of Politics, Brandeis University; founder of Western Jihadism Project database |
| Shiraz Maher | Senior Research Fellow, International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation, King's College London |
| Carl Miller | Research Director, Centre for the Analysis of Social Media, Demos; specialist in digital extremism |
| Petter Nesser | Senior Research Fellow, Norwegian Defence Research Establishment; expert on jihadist terrorism in Europe |
| Peter Neumann | Professor of Security Studies, King's College London; former director of the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation |
| Therese O’Toole | Senior Lecturer in Sociology, University of Bristol; researcher on Muslim political participation and Prevent |
| Raffaello Pantucci | Senior Associate Fellow, Royal United Services Institute; expert on jihadist networks and lone-actor terrorism |
| Andrew Silke | Professor of Terrorism Studies, University of East London; specialist in terrorist psychology and behaviour |
| Maria Sobolewska | Professor of Political Science, University of Manchester; expert on ethnic minority politics and integration |
| Basia Spalek | Professor of Social Policy, University of Derby; researcher on counter-terrorism and community engagement |
| Anne Stenersen | Senior Research Fellow, Norwegian Defence Research Establishment; specialist on Al-Qaeda ideology and strategy |
| Max Taylor | Emeritus Professor of Security and Risk, University of St Andrews; expert on terrorist psychology |
| Lorenzo Vidino | Director of the Program on Extremism, George Washington University; specialist on Muslim Brotherhood networks in the West |
| Clive Walker | Professor Emeritus of Criminal Justice Studies, University of Leeds; leading scholar on counter-terrorism law |
| Richard Walton | Former Commander, Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command; specialist on UK Islamist networks |
These individuals have contributed to CoJiT publications, including the 2019 book Jihadist Terror: New Threats, New Responses and related research outputs. No further biographical or affiliation details are provided on the organisation's contributors page.
Funding and Support
| Source | Details |
|---|---|
| Ian Maxwell and Mohamed Amersi | Provided the impetus for establishment and have been responsible for marshalling funding to date |
| Amersi Foundation | Named as a funding source |
| Brook Partners Charitable Trust | Named as a funding source |
| Private individual donors in the United Kingdom | Additional unnamed private donors have contributed |
The organisation states that funding has been provided by the directors and the above sources. No further public disclosure of amounts, proportions or additional donors is provided on the website.
Controversies
Combating Jihadist Terrorism and Extremism has been accused of:
- Promoting narratives that conflate mainstream Muslim political expression with terrorism through its focus on "jihadist extremism"
- Aligning with broader anti-Muslim discourse in UK security debates
- Lacking transparency in funding sources and operational details
Critics argue the organisation's emphasis on jihadist threats contributes to Islamophobic framing while serving to legitimise securitised policies targeting Muslim communities.[7]
See also
Ian Maxwell Mohamed Amersi Michael Clarke (academic)
External links
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Companies House, COJIT overview Companies House, accessed 13 February 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 CoJiT, Who we are CoJiT, accessed 13 February 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Companies House, COJIT officers Companies House, accessed 13 February 2026.
- ↑ Miller v University of Bristol [2024] EAT 0005, Employment Appeal Tribunal, 2024.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 CoJiT, Publications CoJiT, accessed 13 February 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 CoJiT, Events CoJiT, accessed 13 February 2026.
- ↑ Powerbase, CoJiT Powerbase, accessed 13 February 2026.