Lone Wolf Terrorism: Leaderless Resistance - Term Paper Example

Lone Wolf Terrorism: Leaderless Resistance Lone Wolf Terrorism: Leaderless Resistance The concept of ‘Lone Wolf’ terrorism, or what is sometimes referred to as ‘leaderless resistance’ is based on the idea that after determining there is political agenda that they wish to express, individuals, or a small group take action that is violent and yet without having a direct connection to the larger force. The example that Mark Thompson gives us is “the first major midair plane bombing, vehicle bombing, hijackings, product contamination, and anthrax attacks in the United States” (Thompson 2013). The concept of lone wolves is being presented as a new idea in the world of terrorism and a growing threat. The Internet is cited by Jeffrey Simon, the author of the book that Thompson primarily refers to, as the reason for the growing threat of lone wolf terrorism (Thompson 2013). Because of the emergence of the Internet as a social medium through which to get and give information, the problem of the lone wolf terrorist is growing and may be a more common type of threat in the future. The example of Theodore Kaczynski, was often the first to as the Unabomber, is used to express why the Internet becomes a double edge sword in terms of lone wolf terrorism. When Joseph Stack flew his plane into an IRS office in Austin, Texas, he had an online manifesto that expressed why he was committing this act. When Major Nidal Malik Hasan was planning shoots up Fort Hood he had previously exchanged e-mails with extremist. These communication exchanges make it much easier for law enforcement to pinpoint the ‘who and why’ of the terrorism attack. The example of Kaczynski shows that communications is a way in which to understand and find a terrorist. If Kaczynski had been doing his acts during the time of the Internet rather than between 1978 and 1995, his brother may have identified his writings much more quickly, rather than having to wait for them to be published in the newspaper, which led to Kaczynskis capture (Thompson 2013). Jeffrey D. Simon wrote a comprehensive book on studying the phenomenon of lone wolves. He determined that there are three central themes that emerged in terms of this phenomenon. The first is that the lone wolf changes the dynamics of international terrorism. A lone wolf has the capacity to match the terror level that an organized group can reach and therefore should be considered just as dangerous as any terrorist organization. The second theme is that technology now plays a major role in the way in which the lone wolf operates. Even though there were significant threats from singular entities before the Internet, the instantaneous connection that an individual can have both with an ideology through information and a way to communicate his or her own ideas means that the development can occur much more quickly. In addition, a terrorist can become acknowledged more quickly through their online locations. Simon writes that “the role of the Internet in the radicalization of potential lone wolves is also a key part of this trend” (Simon 2013, 6). The third key to understanding of lone wolf is creativity. The lone wolf is not burdened by group processes and can create a unique approach to their terrorist activity (Simon 2013, 6). The lone wolf, just like any other terrorist, believes that they can change behavior in society by committing violence and causing terror. Sometimes terror does work and will force a society into creating a change, although that might not necessarily be the change that the terrorist intended. The example of 9/11 shows that the American public as well as the American government change the number of different policies in terms of rights and freedoms in order to attach the nation from the perceived threat. However, the agenda of Al Qaeda had absolutely nothing to do with those changes, and it did not reflect what they intended. Antiabortion activists Paul Ross Evans wrote the following: I tend to kill many. I followed through with many actions that I hope would either terrorize others to change their ways… Or halt their actions to death… I am cage now because of potential and because of opinion… Though I began with no money, and little or no knowledge of strategic warfare, I feel that I successfully challenged an evil government and those who oppressed children and Christians in this nation ~ Anti-abortionist activist Paul Ross Evans (Spaaij 2012, 1) It is the belief of the terrorist that they can change society through their actions. Kaczynski wrote a manifesto that was actually fairly lucid about the dangers of technology and some academics have even agreed with much of what he said. However, his approach was to use violence and terror as a way of changing society rather than using philosophy and intelligent writing to communicate his agenda. Rather than accepting diverse opinions intended to force change. Homeland Security Sec. Janet Napolitano as well as President Barack Obama both see lone wolf terrorist attacks as the more likely scenario in contrast to the major coordination of 9/11. From a law enforcement perspective, Napolitano believes that lone wolf attacks are more challenging because there is no conspiracy, no use of phones, and not necessarily a use of the computer. There is no coordinating effort and therefore very little information to go on previous to the attack. Homeland security, has determined that lone wolves and even small groups were embracing street this ideology are likely the most dangerous form of terrorism on a domestic level that will threaten the United States (Spaaij 2011, 3). The United States has significant resources that have come about since 9/11. The tradition of liberties in the United States and among Western democracies have been changed by the influence of terrorism and different types of remedies have been employed that would earlier been considered against civil liberties. In Germany the Office of the Protection of the Constitution can dissolve extremist groups if they are deemed to be a threat to German constitutional democracy. The British government invoked the 1965 race relations act so that they could justify actions that included the search of homes and offices of members of groups of the national front and the British national party. Israel outlawed group called Meir Kahanes Kach, even though they have a tradition of supporting the extremist right, because of the platform that that particular group held. United States does not have the same broad powers in terms of eliminating groups because of First Amendment protection (Michael 2012, 31). The concept of leaderless resistance originated in the white supremacists. This label was embraced by law enforcement and was used as a definition for individuals who act on their own and try to use terrorism as a way in which to control society. However, caution should be used in terms of this type of resistance in order to prevent it from getting too much power. Hale, Hayward, Wahidin and Wincup write that “one reason why the demonization of individuals engaged in political violence is counterproductive is that it helps transform them into omnipotent and unstoppable threats” (Hale, Hayward, Wahidin and Wincup 2013, 279). Law enforcement and the public must keep these individuals in check by asserting that they are mentally ill or poorly influenced in order to create a justification for their activities. Although, it should be noted, that many of the resistances in the past that have ended in a changing society are now considered revolutionary and brave whereas when they come into conflict with current society these acts are considered criminal. In other words, the difference between revolution and terrorism is often a fine point, pending on the victor. There are many reasons why lone wolf scenario can sometimes be something that no one sees coming. When an individual or small group determines that violent action is needed in order to change society is highly likely that they will keep that information to themselves until the event. Greg Reeson asserts that because these lone wolf radicals are not a part of a primary group, they are very difficult to identify and track because usually they fit right into what is considered the norm. They can be found in everything from the suburbs to the US military (Reeson 2011, 42). Because there is an expectation of certain types of behaviors from these members of society it is often a monumental surprise when they become terrorists and act with violence. The lone wolves actor in terrorism is one that has become a greater threat even then organized terrorist groups according to Sec. Napolitano. It is clear that the United States needs to have substantial law enforcement those with which to handle this type of terrorism. The problem of course is that it is not always easy to see it coming. The Internet has provided both the terrorists and law enforcement with additional tools to promote their agenda or to discover their identity. However, the Internet may not necessarily be used until the last moment in order to get the message of the terrorist into the public. It is difficult sometimes to see this coming because the terrorist can be living what would otherwise seem like a normal life. The hermit like conditions of Ted Kaczynski are actually rather rare and is more often, and to find them functioning in mainstream society. Law enforcement must be highly aware in terms of lone wolf terrorism and as the new millennium emerges this threat will be one of the greatest challenges. Bibliography Hale, Chris, Keith Hayward, Azrini Wahidin, and Emma Wincup. Criminology. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2013. Michael, George. Lone Wolf Terror and the Rise of Leaderless Resistance. Nashville: Vanderbilt University Press, 2012. Reeson, Greg C. Stalemate: Why We Cant Win the War on Terror and What We Should Do Instead. Lanham: Government Institutes, 2011. Thompson, Mark “The Danger of the Lone-Wolf Terrorist”. Time. 27 February 2013. http://nation.time.com/2013/02/27/the-danger-of-the-lone-wolf-terrrorist/ Simon, Jeffery D. Lone Wolf Terrorism: Understanding the Growing Threat. New York: Prometheus Books, 2013. Spaaij, R F. J. Understanding Lone Wolf Terrorism: Global Patterns, Motivations and Prevention. Dordrecht: Springer, 2012. Read More