Benoît  Gomis Author of Evaluating Organization Development
FEATURED AUTHOR

Benoît Gomis

International security analyst

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

    London School of Economics and Political Science
    Sciences Po, Aix-en-Provence
    Loyola University Chicago

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

    Terrorism, counterterrorism, international drug trade, drug policy, organized crime, illicit tobacco trade

Websites

Books

Featured Title
 Featured Title - Counterterrorism: Reassessing the Policy Response - 1st Edition book cover

Articles

World Politics Review

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.

Open Canada

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.

World Politics Review

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.

World Politics Review

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.

World Politics Review

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.

World Politics Review

‘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.?

IHS Jane's Intelligence Review

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.

The World Today

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.

World Politics Review

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.

Global Drug Policy Observatory Brief

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)