The U.S. strategy for combating international Islamist terrorists must be based on an understanding of the ter- rorists' behavior and the process of radicalization to vio- lence. This process includes four dimensions: a sense of moral outrage, interpreted in a specific way, which res- onates with ones personal experiences, and is chan- neled through group dynamics, both face-to-face and online. The threat has evolved over the past decade.

Dealing with violent extremism is nothing new. Throughout history there have been groups prepared to
use violence to achieve their aims. Twenty years ago the major threat we faced was from Irish terrorism.
Today we face a different threat. A small minority seek to radicalise young people with an ideology which
justifies the use of violence through a distorted interpretation of a peaceful religion. While violent
extremism influenced by Al Qaida poses the greatest threat to life, other forms of extremism and

The humanitarian organization Médecins sans Frontieres (MSF) supports the content of the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings. The guidelines promote a systemic, comprehensive approach to psychosocial and mental health problems, and bring unity to a field that was much needed. However, these guidelines operate within the context of major reforms of the humanitarian aid sector. The potential implications of these reforms on independent humanitarian action are discussed.

The initiatives for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are presented, using the case of a cyclone in Bangladesh. The IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings have proved useful, but need to be made operational through joint efforts by different actors, through dissemination to grass root rural levels, and through planning in the non emergency phase.

Keywords:    Inter-Agency Standing