(TLP:CLEAR) CTC Sentinel – January 2026: Political Violence in Europe and Juvenile Terrorist Prosecutions
Created: Thursday, January 29, 2026 - 15:21
Categories: General Security and Resilience, Research
Summary: The Combating Terrorism Center (CTC) at West Point published its “Sentinel” magazine for January 2026. This latest issue examines the heightened risk of political violence in Europe following recently thwarted terrorist plots, as well as disparities in prosecuting juveniles and adults for terrorist activities.
Analyst Note: The article on political violence in Europe analyzes the threat in light of recent terrorist threats against elected officials in Europe. The author finds that while there is a persistent threat, “the data does not allow one to conclude that the phenomenon is rising in Europe. However, it is occurring in a broader context that could result in a growing trend of political assassinations in the future.” Additionally, following the U.S. strikes on terrorists in northwest Nigeria, the issue’s cover article provides insights into jihadi expansion in this part of Nigeria.
Another article looks at disparities in how European criminal justice systems prosecute minors and young adults involved in terrorist activities. Using a dataset of 98 cases from Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK (from 2020 to mid-2025) and through close examination of “the legal frameworks and sentencing practices for juvenile extremist offenders (JEOs) aged 10 to 23,” the authors find that “most JEOs are convicted of preparatory offenses or possession and dissemination of extremist material rather than violent acts” and “most JEOs receive custodial sentences (69[%]), often with probation and deradicalization requirements.”
Original Source: https://ctc.westpoint.edu/january-2026/
Additional Reading:
Related WaterISAC PIRs: 1 & 2