Homeland Security - Essay Example

HOME LAND SECURITY: AN ANALYSIS ON OSAMA BIN LADEN AND HOME MADE JIHADISTS of unit Osama bin Laden’s intended strategies in response to the “Arab Spring
When the Arab spring sprout Osama bin Laden viewed the events as an opportunity to spread his ideology to the Muslim world. From his letter, several facts arise in relation to his intentions and strategies to the Muslim world. Osama viewed himself as a person with the role of guiding the Muslims not to settle for less solution that he referred to as half solutions1. Osama wanted to use the media to incite parts of the Muslim world so as to rise and rebel against their rulers whom he viewed as being oppressive and with western ideologies towards the people. Osama encouraged the jihadist in Afghanistan to continue raging war towards United States and weakened it. The strategy was to encourage the people to rise against rulers he considered oppressive, as the USA would be weak and unable to support the rulers in the case of a revolt. Osama bin Laden considered the Arab spring as a formidable event due to the magnitude and momentum the event had gained and ousting of several rulers in Northern Africa.
Osama bin Laden’s relationship with regional jihadist groups at the time of his death.
Osama bin Laden had no firm grip control over most regional Jihadist groups at the time of his death. He even wrote to the group’s pleading with them to change their tack ticks and avoid the senseless killing of Muslim brothers. The jihadist groups only swore allegiance to al-Qa`ida but were independent in the decisions made and the chain of command. Al-Qa`ida only provided training fields in Afghanistan but once the Jihadist left the camp they were at liberty with decision making and to act in any manner they like2.
King and Taylor description of radicalization process for the purposes of their study
Donald Taylor and Michael King in their study describe radicalization process using five radicalization models but focus on three common traits in all the models. The three are important to their study as they relate directly to the main reason there are homegrown jihadists. These traits are the state of being in deprivation, personal characterizes that relate more to Jihadists ideology and personal struggle to find an identity.
King and Taylor take on invalidated strategies on models on counter-radicalization
King and Taylor warn against using strategies and models that have not been validated can be counterproductive and because of the individuals feeling victimized. The two warn that most of these models were developed after 9/11 and are based ON social-psychological processes alone.
Why do King and Taylor take the position that the narrative promoted by jihadists is amenable to empirical research?
The position adopted by many Jihadists is amendable since it mainly focuses n social issues and propaganda that can be counteracted. The narrative is also subject to empirical research in order to understand the main reason people join Jihadist movements. There is more to it than what meets the eye, a good reason to conduct empirical research on the process.
What conclusions do King and Taylor reach, regarding their study of radicalization of homegrown jihadists and what recommendations do they make regarding future research?
King and Taylor research concludes that the study of homegrown terrorists revolves around three traits that are common in all the five models studied. The state of being in deprivation, personal characterizes that relate more to Jihadists ideology and personal struggle to find an identity. In conclusion, King and Taylor recommend future research on homegrown Jihadists to focus on personality characteristic traits, identity management and reaction to a group deprivation3.  
Bibliography
King, Michael, and Donald M. Taylor. The Radicalization of Homegrown Jihadists: A Review Of Theoretical Models And Social Psychological Evidence. Terrorism and Political Violence 23 no. 4 (2011): 602-622. doi:10.1080/09546553.2011.587064.
Lahoud, Nelly, Stuart Collins, Gabriel Koehler-Derrick, Don Rassler, and Muhammad Al-`Ubaydi. Letters From Abbottabad: Bin Ladin Sidelined?. Washington: Combating Terrorism Center, U.S. Military Academy, 2014. Read More