Benoît Gomis
Benoît Gomis is an international security analyst focusing on terrorism and organized crime, and an Associate Fellow at Chatham House. In an independent capacity, he consults for a number of organizations. He has worked at Simon Fraser University, Royal Roads University, Chatham House, NATO Parliamentary Assembly, and the French Ministry of Defence. He was educated at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Sciences Po in Aix-en-Provence, and Loyola University Chicago.
Biography
Benoît Gomis is an international security analyst focusing on terrorism and organized crime, and an Associate Fellow at Chatham House. As a Visiting Scholar at the Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society (TSAS), he wrote a book entitled Counterterrorism: Reassessing the Policy Response, published by CRC Press in July 2015. In an independent capacity, he consults for a number of organizations including government, think tanks, NGOs, companies and universities.He previously worked as a Research Analyst in the International Security Department of Chatham House. There he led research projects on drugs and organized crime, counter-terrorism, and Franco-British defence and security cooperation. He also worked at Simon Fraser University, where he conducted research on the illicit tobacco trade in Latin America and the Caribbean, Royal Roads University, where he taught an MA course on international conflict, the French Ministry of Defence and NATO Parliamentary Assembly. He was educated at Sciences Po in Aix-en-Provence, Loyola University Chicago and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
He is the author of a number of reports and articles, including 'Illicit Drugs and International Security: Towards UNGASS 2016' (2014), and 'Franco-British Defence and Security Treaties: Entente While It Lasts?' (2011), which was selected by the UK’s Chief of Defence Staff for his Recommended Reading List. He is a frequent contributor to international publications - including European Geostrategy (where he is an Associate Editor), IHS Jane's Intelligence Review and World Politics Review - and the media including Al Jazeera, BBC, the Financial Times, and the Washington Post. He has spoken at numerous conferences and seminars, including at the British Parliament, King’s College London, the Counter Terror Expo, Georgetown University, the United States Military Academy, the Conference Board of Canada, and Public Safety Canada.
Education
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London School of Economics and Political Science
Sciences Po, Aix-en-Provence
Loyola University Chicago
Areas of Research / Professional Expertise
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Terrorism, counterterrorism, international drug trade, drug policy, organized crime, illicit tobacco trade
Websites
Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society (TSAS)
Chatham House
European Geostrategy
Royal Roads University
World Politics Review
Books
Articles
Paris Attacks Require More European Cooperation, Not Less
Published: Nov 25, 2015 by World Politics Review
Authors: Benoît Gomis
Subjects:
Homeland Security, Public Administration & Public Policy
Despite knee-jerk reactions to the contrary, the Paris attacks are Europe's problem. To contain and mitigate terrorism most effectively, France and other European countries need more bilateral and multilateral cooperation, not less, from intelligence sharing to cracking down on arms smuggling.
The six dangers of overreacting to terrorism
Published: Nov 09, 2015 by Open Canada
Authors: Benoît Gomis
Subjects:
Homeland Security, Public Administration & Public Policy
Terrorism is a problem to be managed, rather than an existential threat. Our response to the issue needs to be rational and proportional to avoid unintended consequences.
Turning the Page: Canada’s Security Priorities Under Trudeau
Published: Oct 28, 2015 by World Politics Review
Authors: Benoît Gomis
Subjects:
Homeland Security, Public Administration & Public Policy
In addition to a change in political discourse, Canada’s new Liberal government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should differ from its Conservative predecessor in a number of areas related to national and international security, including how to tackle terrorism, the refugee crisis and drug policy.
Behind Drugs’ Glare, Paraguay’s Illegal Cigarette Trade Flourishes
Published: Oct 01, 2015 by World Politics Review
Authors: Benoît Gomis
Subjects:
Homeland Security, Public Administration & Public Policy
A marijuana seizure in Paraguay this month was notable because it shed light on a neglected yet pervasive problem in Latin America: cigarette smuggling. Up to 90 percent of cigarettes produced in Paraguay are smuggled out of the country, which accounts for 11 percent of the world’s illicit cigarette trade.
Travel Bans to Terrorism Hot Spots Won’t Deter Foreign Fighters
Published: Aug 27, 2015 by World Politics Review
Authors: Benoît Gomis
Subjects:
Homeland Security, Public Administration & Public Policy
Earlier this month, following Australia’s lead, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper proposed prohibiting travel to terrorism hot spots like Iraq and Syria. But a travel ban is likely to be ineffective and even counterproductive in dealing with homegrown terrorism and the flow of foreign fighters.
‘Unforgivable’: El Chapo’s Escape Latest Embarrassment for Pena Nieto
Published: Jul 20, 2015 by World Politics Review
Authors: Benoît Gomis
Subjects:
Homeland Security, Public Administration & Public Policy
Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman escaped last week from a maximum-security prison that was allegedly Mexico’s most secure. What does it mean for the Sinaloa cartel that he led, for Enrique Pena Nieto’s faltering presidency and security strategy, and for Mexico’s relations with the U.S.?
Grass routes: Canada's crime gangs diversify and develop
Published: Jul 13, 2015 by IHS Jane's Intelligence Review
Authors: Benoît Gomis
Subjects:
Homeland Security, Public Administration & Public Policy
While losing priority to terrorism for Canada’s law enforcement agencies, organised crime could pose a greater threat to the country in human and financial terms. Benoît Gomis investigates the latest developments, actors, activities, and policy responses in the field.
1980s: The war on drugs goes into overdrive
Published: Jun 08, 2015 by The World Today
Authors: Benoît Gomis
Subjects:
Homeland Security, Public Administration & Public Policy
At last there is a chance to set right the damaging legacy of Nixon's offensive against narcotics.
Jalisco Cartel’s Rise Exposes Limits of Mexico’s Security Strategy
Published: May 28, 2015 by World Politics Review
Authors: Benoît Gomis
Subjects:
Homeland Security, Public Administration & Public Policy
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, responsible for a string of deadly attacks, is Mexico’s latest challenge in dealing with drug cartels. The gang has emerged to fill the leadership vacuum created by President Enrique Pena Nieto’s top-down strategy of targeting leaders of criminal organizations.
Demystifying 'Narcoterrorism'
Published: May 04, 2015 by Global Drug Policy Observatory Brief
Authors: Benoît Gomis
Subjects:
Homeland Security, Public Administration & Public Policy
Although the term ‘narcoterrorism’ emerged in the early 1980s to describe attacks against counternarcotics police, its meaning has expanded and lost clarity since then, while the term gained significant traction after September 11th 2001. The term is problematic in that it suggests a ‘symbiotic relationship’ between drug traffickers and terrorists that is very rarely confirmed by evidence, as the case studies of Peru, Afghanistan, Mali and Mexico demonstrate.
News
Interview with Newsweek
By: Benoît Gomis
Subjects: Homeland Security, Public Administration & Public Policy
Comments in "Canada Will Welcome 25,000 Refugees, But No Single Straight Men"
Interview on CFAX radio
By: Benoît Gomis
Subjects: Homeland Security, Public Administration & Public Policy
https://soundcloud.com/terry-moore-cfax/september-1-3pm-1 (from 7.38 onwards)
Interview with Newsweek
By: Benoît Gomis
Subjects: Homeland Security, Public Administration & Public Policy
Interview on French arms trade
Interview with USA Today
By: Benoît Gomis
Subjects: Homeland Security, Public Administration & Public Policy
Interview on terrorist attack in France
Interview with European Geostrategy
By: Benoît Gomis
Subjects: Homeland Security
In this interview, Daniel Fiott talks with European Geostrategy Associate Editor Benoît Gomis about counterterrorism strategies. Benoit is the author of the recently published Counterterrorism: Reassessing the Policy Response (CRC Press).
Audio of talk at King's College London
By: Benoît Gomis
Here is the recording of a talk I gave on my forthcoming book - Counterterrorism: Reassessing the Policy Response - at an event hosted by the Centre for Defence Studies at King's College London: https://soundcloud.com/warstudies/benoit-gomis-counterterrorism-reassessing-the-policy-response?in=warstudies/sets/events
Interview on Radio Canada
By: Benoît Gomis
Subjects: Homeland Security, Public Administration & Public Policy
Interview on attacks in Paris, terrorism, security and the internet (in French)