Books

"An indefatigable researcher of the jihadi phenomenon with deep and nuanced knowledge and solid ground presence, Drevon focuses on the Syrian conflict to ask fundamental questions and provide compelling answers about the nature, trajectory, and future of jihadi rebellions. A must read for students of conflict."  —  Stathis N. Kalyvas, Gladstone Professor of Government and Fellow, All Souls College, Oxford

"A vital contribution to our understanding of the Syrian insurgency and of militant Islamism. ISIS may have gotten all the attention, but the groups examined in this book probably shaped the Syria war more." —  Thomas Hegghammer, Senior Fellow, All Souls College, Oxford

"The book stands out for its empirical depth and richness, grounded in Drevon’s uniquely extensive field research inside of opposition controlled Syria. From Jihad to Politics immediately becomes a must-read for anyone working on issues related to Islamist politics, jihadist insurgencies, civil wars, or the Syrian war specifically" —  Marc Lynch, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University, DC

"Drevon’s work is impressive in its use of diverse sources and extended fieldwork in rebel-held areas. His ability to access high-level jihadist leaders provides a rare insider perspective on these groups. The book significantly contributes to our broader understanding of jihadist groups and armed Islamist movements. Drevon’s meticulous research and thoughtful analysis challenge readers to move beyond simplistic narratives about Islamist radicalization and consider the complex interplay of factors shaping these groups’ trajectories" — Ahmed Sahal K. P — Small Wars & Insurgencies

"Jerome Drevon's analysis of Syrian jihadi groups, particularly Ahrar al-Sham and Jabhat al-Nusra (now Hayat Tahrir al-Sham), explores their shift from global jihadist ideologies to localized political strategies. Through interviews with former militants, Drevon reveals how these groups adapted to gain local support, form alliances, and engage in governance, moving beyond insurgency. This transformation is especially relevant today as HTS has risen to power in Damascus following the collapse of the Assad regime, highlighting the changing nature of militant Islamism. Drevon's work offers crucial insights into the intersection of militancy and politics, deepening our understanding of the evolving dynamics of the Syrian conflict and global jihadism." -- Abdalla Nasef, Tahrir Podcast

From Jihad to Politics is an important step in the enterprise of de-exceptionalising the study of jihadi groups [...] This book brilliantly illuminates the organizational dynamics of ideology. Parkinson’s, Drevon’s, and Thurston’s work embodies the rich insights that field research on armed groups in the Middle East can bring to conflict studies. The breadth, depth, and originality of the empirical material unearthed in these books make them standard references for scholars and students of Middle Eastern and North African politics. -- Raphaël Lefèvre, Perspectives on Politics

This book provides a detailed portrait of the jihadi opposition force that would take over the country. Drevon argues that it [HTS] evolved into a more conventionally political movement, adroitly outflanking competitors and effectively managing municipal affairs in the territory under its control. As governments around the world debate whether the new regime is as moderate and pragmatic as its leaders claim, this book presents an insightful study of a shapeshifting operation. -- Lisa Anderson, Foreign Affairs

"Jerome Drevon's Institutionalizing Violence is a remarkable piece of scholarship. It advances our theoretical understanding of Salafi groups' radicalization and de-radicalization, and the centrality of institutionalization to groups' strategic choices. Its empirical chapters, focused on Egyptian Salafi-Jihadi groups, are fascinating, the result of exceptional access to important figures in these organizations. Drevon also has a unique ability to breathtakingly tell their story. This book is a must read for students of social movements, terrorism studies, and the Jihadi movement." — Barak Mendelsohn, Haverford University

"If we want to find new and more constructive ways of managing the threat stemming from jihadist militancy, we need to understand how jihadist organizations function. In this excellent book, Jérôme Drevon draws on unique material gathered through extensive in-country research in Egypt, and convincingly shows how different types of jihadist organizational patterns influence the groups' trajectories, including the chances for conflict termination and political accommodation. A must-read for anyone interested in jihadist militancy and the sociology of violence more broadly." — Isak Svensson, Uppsala University

"Richly researched, considered, and incisive, Institutionalizing Violence is a work that not only deserves wide readership, but is one with which all serious researchers of jihadist movements must contend. Jerome Drevon's excellent scholarship and exceptional access to historical figures in Egypt's most influential jihadist groups combine here in a new study that provides unique insight into strategic decision making within militant organizations. For these reasons, this book is essential reading." — Leah Farrall, former senior counterterrorism analyst with the Australian Federal Police

"In his remarkable book, Drevon (Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland) advances a well-grounded theoretical understanding of the radicalization and de-radicalization of Salafi groups and the centrality of institutionalization to the groups' strategic choices. Drevon's excellent book draws on unique materials gathered through extensive, in-country research in Egypt, which convincingly shows how different types of jihadist organizational patterns influence the trajectories of the groups, including their chances for conflict termination and political accommodation. This richly researched project is excellent scholarship because of the exceptional access Drevon had to historical figures in Egypt's most influential jihadist groups, which provides unique insight into strategic decision-making within militant organizations." — Choice

"Institutionalizing Violence. Strategies of Jihad in Egypt is one of the very few works capable of constructing a theoretical framework that thoroughly analyzes the peculiarities of two specific jihadist groups and, at the same time, can be relevant outside Egypt for the study of other instances of political violence and jihadist movements’ dynamics." — European Eye on Radicalization

"Drevon offers a comprehensive examination of the origins of Salafi jihadism in Egypt, through a thorough and rigorous approach that is grounded in extensive field research. His analysis is both insightful and thought-provoking, making it a valuable addition to the field of Islamism studies and political science more broadly" -- Khalil al-Anani — Perspectives on Politics

"This is a highly detailed and authoritative account of the Sunni Egyptian al-Jama’a al-Islamiyya and Islamic Jihad – two leading jihadist terrorist groups that were active in Egypt beginning in the 1970s. This book is recommended as an important comparativecase study on the two jihadi organisations and the factors driving the divergent paths that such organisations pursue to pursue their political and socio-religious objectives." — Perspectives on Terrorism