HLS 2301, Introduction to Terrorism
1
Course Learning Outcomes for Unit V
Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1.
Evaluate historical trends of domestic terrorism in the United States of America.
1.1
Summarize literature covering historical acts of terrorism in the United States.
5. A
nalyze
the rise of “lone wolf” terrorism in domestic and international terrorism.
Reading Assignment
Chapter 15:
Terrorism, Intelligence and Homeland Security: The Future, pp. 362-370
Unit Lesson
This unit will discuss the rise of homegrown terrorism in the domestic United States and abroad, utilizing
lone
wolf tactics and techniques. It will also outline the efforts that the global community is using to counter
these threats.
Understanding Lone Wolf Terrorism
Lone wolf terrorism is a growing phenomenon, and research on the topic is severely limited. The term
lone
wolf
or
lone wolf terrorist
is a newer type of terminology utilized to describe an individual who commits violent
terrorist acts in support of a specific group, religious movement, or other ideology. However, the act is usually
committed “alone,” without the leadership and guidance of an outside entity being involved. Many researchers
will agree that some recent events, although classified as lone wolf attacks, were done under the direction of
a higher entity. Participants are typically motivated by an ideology or through the belief of a higher group. As
with the term terrorism, a universal meaning and description does not exist amongst law enforcement. The
FBI and other local and state agencies have their own interpretation and definition for the term. Further, since
many of these entities act alone, it is extremely difficult to establish counterterrorism strategies or to gather
intelligence on their movements.
Trends in Lone Wolf Terrorism
International researcher, Sarah Teich, with the International Institute for Counter Terrorism, wrote a research
report titled
Trends and developments in lone wolf terrorism in the western world
: An analysis of terrorist
attacks and attempted attacks by Islamic extremists
(2013). The report provides a literature review and
analysis of trends and developments covering lone wolf terrorism. Teich's (2013) analysis of the dataset
shows five trends:
1.
increased number of countries targeted by lone wolf terrorists;
2.
increased number of fatalities and injuries caused by lone wolves;
3.
increased success rate of United States law enforcement to apprehend lone wolves before they can
carry out their attacks;
4.
high prevalence and success rate of loners over Pantucci’s other
three types of lone wolf terrorists;
and
5.
increased targeting of military personnel. (p. 1)
Raffaello Pantucci’s Theory on Lone Wolf Terrorism
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