Image Credit: Pixabay
By Saul Roth
Homegrown terrorism is a form of attack that occurs within one’s own country. It typically targets people who share the same citizenship as its victims, and there are many different definitions on what exactly terrorism should look like – none being universally accepted or recognized by all scholars in this field. In recent years there has been an increase not just across Europe but also here in America with attacks from homegrown radicals carrying out devastating acts against innocent civilians despite having no known links to international organizations such Al Qaida.
The idea that terrorism can come from within our borders is not new. Analysts have noted an increase in military conflicts involving violent non-state actors, and these types of attacks are just one part among many others carried out by them across the globe today.
The fact that there is no one path to violence should not surprise us. Homegrown terrorists can come from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances, including high school dropouts or college graduates.
The misconception that radicalization into terrorism is the result of poverty, various forms of brainwashing and youthfulness, has been prevalent in society for many years now. Although these factors do play an important role when it comes to someone becoming a terrorist, they are only one piece within what makes up this puzzle called ‘modern day’ terrorism. A more accurate explanation can be found by looking at how people become terrorists through education or social neglect before eventually turning towards crime which leads them down another path where violence becomes commonplace.
It is no secret that social media has revolutionized the way in which we communicate, interact and share information. These forums provide a place for people who have radical beliefs to come together with other likeminded individuals; this includes not just forum threads but also images or videos posted on social media site’s stories features.
As the U.S.-led military campaign against terrorism continues, some groups may feel pressure to carry out operations more quickly than they would otherwise do so in order not give away valuable time or opportunity for escape after being tracked down by American forces. The training programs that America’s homegrown terrorists go through often have a very short period of preparation before an operation begins.
Lone wolves are often radicalized, but they represent only a small minority of individual operators. The vast majority fail to execute their plans due in part from lack or training and planning; there’s also debate as whether these people should be considered “lone” at all – some scholars say no, because groups can provide resources that help individuals stay organized while others believe this type deals more damage than good when working alone.
Domestic terrorism is a serious problem and it will take much work and investigation to eliminate this ongoing threat to the United States.
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