Suleyman Ozeren

Suleyman Ozeren

Suleyman Ozeren

Adjunct Faculty

Terrorism & counterterrorism, online extremism, cybercrime, cyberterrorism, countering violent extremism (CVE), international security, the Middle East, the Kurdish issue, and conflict resolution.

Dr. Suleyman Ozeren is an adjunct faculty at George Mason University. He formerly served as the President of the Global Policy and Strategy Institute and the Director of the International Center for Terrorism and Transnational Crime (UTSAM) in Turkey. He also served as a faculty member at different universities. Dr. Ozeren received his M.S. degree in Criminal Justice and a Ph.D. degree in Information Science from the University of North Texas.

His research interests include terrorism & counterterrorism, cybercrime, cyberterrorism, online extremism, countering violent extremism (CVE), conflict resolution, the Kurdish issue, illicit networks and money laundering, and forced migration. In his research, he examined four terrorist organizations: ISIS, Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, and the Kurdish Worker’s Party (PKK). He also conducted research in Europe, focusing on diaspora radicalization. Part of his research included interviewing convicted terrorists and disintegrated and de-radicalized individuals.

He co-authored the NATO- George Mason University joint workshop, titled "Post-ISIS Era" Regional and Global Implications" which was held on September 6-8, 2019 in Washington D.C. More than 40 speakers from 14 countries participated in the NATO Advanced Research Workshop.  

His most recent research project, titled “Countering Violent Extremism by Unraveling the Propaganda and Recruitment Techniques of ISIS in Turkey,” was funded by the U.S. State Department. He was co-director for the NATO Science for Peace and Security Advanced Research (ARW) Workshop.

He has numerous publications including. Some of the examples of his publications include : "From Territorial Defeat to Global ISIS: Lessons Learned (Eds) (Forthcoming)"; "Cyberterrorism and Cybercrime: Vulnerabilities and International Cooperation;” “Understanding Terrorism: Analysis of Sociological and Psychological Aspects;” “ISIS in Cyberspace: Findings from Social Media Research;” “Multi-Faceted Approach to Radicalization in Terrorist Organizations;” “Countering Terrorism: From Far East to New Continent”, and “Terrorism Paradox and Turkey.”

He has worked collaboratively with several organizations and institutions, including the European Union, Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), the NATO-affiliated Centre of Excellence Defence Against Terrorism, and National Defense University.

Dr. Ozeren has taught numerous graduate and undergraduate courses on international security, terrorism and counterterrorism, cybercrime, cyberterrorism, and conflict resolution at different universities.

Current Research

My research focuses on online extremism, particularly, how violent extremist groups utilize cyberspace and social media platforms for propaganda, recruitment, communication, and engaging in disruptive cyberattacks.

2017-Present. Research Scholar. Center for Global Policy, George Mason University. "A New Approach to the Middle East by the United States and Its Implications for the State and Non-State Actors in the Syrian Conflict"  

2015-2016. Principal Investigator. U.S. State Department. "Countering Violent Extremism by Unraveling Propaganda and Recruitment Techniques of ISIS". 

2010-2012. Principal Investigator. The Scientific And Technological Research Council Of Turkey. "Recruitment techniques in terrorist organizations and terrorist profiling: The PKK case in Turkey"

Selected Publications

  • Goldstone, A. J., Alimi, E., Ozeren, S., & Cubukcu, S. (Eds.) (2021). From Territorial Defeat to Global ISIS: Lessons Learned. IOS Press Publication, Amsterdam

  • Ozeren, S., & Cubukcu, S. (2021). ISIS at the Crossroads: Regional and Global Implications. In J. Goldstone, E. Alimi, S. Ozeren, and S. Cubukcu (eds). From Territorial Defeat to Global ISIS: Lessons Learned. IOS Press Publication, Amsterdam

  • Ozeren, S., Hekim, H., Elmas, M.S., & Canbegi, H.I. (2018). An Analysis of Propaganda and Recruitment Activities of ISIS Targeting Turkish Speaking Population. International Annals of Criminology, Cambridge University Press, https://doi.org/10.1017/cri.2018.14

  • Ozeren, S. (2009). “Cyberterrorism and Cybercrime: Vulnerabilities and International Cooperation”. VDM Publishing House Ltd, Saarbrücken, Germany. https://www.amazon.com/Cyberterrorism-Cybercrime-Vulnerabilities-International-Cooperation/dp/3639200373

  • Ozeren et al. (2016). "ISIS in Cyberspace: Findings From Social Media Research".  Global Policy and Strategy, 2016. 

  • Ozeren, S., Sever, M, Sözer, M. A., & Yilmaz, K. (2014). Whom do they recruit? Profiling and recruitment in the PKK/KCK. Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, 37:322-347.

  • Bal, I., Ozeren, S., & Sozer, M. A. (eds) (2011). “Multi-faceted Approach to Radicalization in Terrorist Organizations”. IOS Press Publication, Amsterdam.

  • Ozeren, S., & Sever, M. (eds) (2011). “Terrorism Paradox and Turkey”. Karinca Yayinlari, Ankara, Turkey

  • Ozeren, S. (2008). “Cyberterrorism and International Cooperation: General Overview of the Available Mechanisms to Facilitate an Overwhelming” Response to Cyber Terrorism. Task.ed. Center of Excellence– Defence Against Terrorism, Vol. 34, IOS Press Publication, Amsterdam. pp. 70-89

  • Ozeren, S., Güneş, I. D., & M. D. Al-Badayneh (eds) (2007). Understanding Terrorism: Analysis of Sociological and Psychological Aspects, IOS Press Publication, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

  • Ozeren, S. (2007). “Recruitment and Training Methods of Suicide Terrorism”, Suicide as a Weapon, ed. Center of Excellence – Defence Against Terrorism, Vol. 30, IOS Press Publication, Amsterdam. pp. 38-50.

  • Ozeren, S. & Van de Voorde, C. (2006). Turkish Hizballah: A case study of radical terrorism. International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Vol: 29(2).

  • Ozeren, S. (2006). Emerging Threats: The Conceptual Framework and Classification of Cyberterrorism. In Social Dynamics of Global Terrorism and Prevention Policies. Ankara Turkey.

  • Ozeren, S., & Loper, K. (2005). “National Level of Efforts to Counter Cyber crime and Cyberterrorism: United States Case”. The Second Symposium on Cybercrime, Ankara, Turkey.

Courses Taught

Undergraduate Level

  • CRIM 475.004 Theory and Politics of Terrorism, (Online) Summer 2020; Spring 2020;
  • CRIM 475 Theory and Politics of Terrorism, Spring 2019, Fall 2019
  • CRIM 475 Theory and Politics of Terrorism, Spring 2018, Fall 2018
  • GOVT 444.B02 (Online) Conflict, Security, and Forced Migration, Summer 2020
  • GOVT 444.B02 Conflict, Security, and Forced Migration, Summer 2019
  • Cybercrime
  • Police and Society
  • Criminal Justice Policy & Administration
  • Introduction to Criminology and Criminal Justice Sciences
  • Cyberterrorism, Cybercrime, and Security
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Social Psychology      
  • Organized Crime
  • Introduction to Policing

 

Graduate Level

  • Terrorism and Homeland Security
  • Law Enforcement and Policing
  • International Security and Trends in Terrorism
  • Conflict Resolution and Terrorism
  • Comparative Counterterrorism Strategies
  • Globalization and Terrorism
  • Comparative Criminal Justice Systems

In the Media