Author Archives

I am a researcher and writer interested in security issues. I work with The Institute for Strategic Dialogue and the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI). I also run a small charity called Hostage UK which provides practical and pastoral support for hostages and their families, during and after a kidnap.

• when the storytelling needs to stop

  By rachelbriggs on May 3, 2020 • ( 1 )

  

  “For the first time in my life, I have shed ‘survivor’ or ‘victim’ as my identity. I was having to survive on being a ‘survivor’, because that’s how I was making money, speaking about what happened to me. Now I… Read More ›

• what’s working in US hostage policy?

  By rachelbriggs on April 16, 2020 • ( 0 )

  Here’s the video of the event I spoke at to launch Bringing Americans Home, the 2020 review of hostage policy by the James W Foley Legacy Foundation. Great input from Peter Bergen of New America Foundation and CNN, Diane Foley,… Read More ›

• Bringing Americans Home 2020

  By rachelbriggs on April 6, 2020 • ( 0 )

  The James W Foley Legacy Foundation has launched its second annual review of US Government handling of hostages cases. Bringing Americans Home 2020 is based on interviews with 25 people with direct experience of hostage taking or wrongful detention, both those… Read More ›

• david alexander – a life of service

  By rachelbriggs on January 9, 2020 • ( 0 )

  David Alexander was one of the finest professionals I have ever worked with. He strived for the highest standards for the patients and partners he worked with and was never shy of standing his ground when he felt things weren’t… Read More ›

• time for technology companies to do their bit in fight against violent extremism

  By rachelbriggs on May 7, 2015 • ( 0 )

  I’m quoted in this excellent Radio Four documentary on the use of social media by violent extremist groups, such as ISIS. For too long, the big technology companies have thrown tiny bits of money at the problem as a cover… Read More ›

• the fog of peace: the human face of conflict resolution

  By rachelbriggs on April 5, 2015 • ( 0 )

  I have just finished reading an important book by Gabrielle Rifkind and Giandomenico Picco called The Fog of Peace: The human face of conflict resolution. It is of course a riff on Robert McNamara’s documentary: The Fog of War: Eleven… Read More ›

• turning them around: why we need to rehabilitate jihadists returning from syria

  By rachelbriggs on November 15, 2014 • ( 3 )

  I’m quoted in this week’s Economist talking about the need to enhance resources for disengagement and de-radicalisation programmes for those returning from Syria. The contrast with other European countries, such as Germany, Denmark and Sweden, is stark – and we… Read More ›

• urgent need for de-radicalisation programmes

  By rachelbriggs on November 3, 2014 • ( 0 )

  I was quoted in a piece for Canadian media outlet CBC on 3 November, talking about the need for structured and well financed de-radicalisation, disengagement and exit programmes. Those who want to leave violent extremist groups are ‘low hanging fruit’… Read More ›

• we need a more nuanced approach for dealing with british jihadists who want to come home

  By rachelbriggs on October 27, 2014 • ( 1 )

  There are growing reports that British jihadis fighting in Syria want to come home; it has been claimed that dozens are trapped in Syria unable to leave, and up to 100 are stranded in Turkey having made it out of… Read More ›

• aid workers and journalists at the frontline of conflict

  By rachelbriggs on August 25, 2014 • ( 0 )

  Events over the past week have offered a sobering reminder of the risks to journalists around the world. They started with the murder of James Foley in Syria, the video of which closed with a threat to the life of… Read More ›