Terrorism has traditionally been distinguished from other mass killings by its political overtones. Prior to the September 11, 2011, attacks, most attacks on U.S. soil labeled as terrorism were committed by right-wing extremist groups or individuals. Their attacks were directed at abortion clinics, ethnic or racial groups, businesses, or government facilities. Attacks carried out by individuals or a very small group of persons not associated with a larger parent group were called “lone wolf” attacks. Lone wolf attacks were mostly associated with domestic terrorism such as attacks on abortion clinics and were mostly committed by U.S. citizens. The attacks required only minimum resources and were often self-financed by those responsible for the attacks. On the other hand, international terrorism was considered an attack on American soil by a group sponsored by a foreign parent group or state. Thus, in the war on terrorism that begin with the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, United States federal law enforcement officials have focused on identifying the source and kinds of aid and resources received by those carrying out acts of international terrorism on American soil. About 2015, a change in the tactics of international terrorist groups resulted in what is called the rise of the “lone wolf international terrorist.” Prior to this change, federal law enforcement expected international terrorists to be organized in small cells of persons who were funded and directed by an overseas parent organization. In 2015, international efforts to fight terrorism, particularly ISIS, reduced the capacity of international terrorist groups to fund and execute attacks on American soil. As a result, ISIS and other international terrorist groups changed their strategy. Major international terrorist groups called for “supporters” to carry out “independent” attacks where they were at their own discretion and without the support or guidance from the group’s leadership. Similar to lone wolf domestic terrorists, lone wolf international terrorists are very difficult for law enforcement to detect. They plan, finance, and execute the attack without support or communication with an international terrorist group. Often these lone wolf terrorists have no contact with the international terrorist group and are said “to be inspired by” the parent organization. Unlike a traditional international terrorist, these individuals are not trained and equipped by an international terrorist group. They must selffinance their attacks and acquire the skills, training, and equipment they need to carry out the attack on their own. For example, it is believed that the San Bernardino couple financed their attack by obtaining a personal loan. As for skills and training, often these lone wolf international terrorists are selfradicalized. The most common method they use to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to execute their attack is the Internet. For example, the Boston Marathon bombers used the Internet to learn how to make bombs using pressure cookers. Law enforcement is concerned that if terrorist attacks morphs into attacks committed by independent smaller groups or lonewolf persons, who pledge their allegiance to international terrorist groups such as ISIS but are not in communication with the international terrorist group nor do they receive support from the group that it will be very difficult to detect or prevent such persons or attacks. Another concern is that young Americans will go overseas to be instructed by international terrorist groups and then will return as lone wolf terrorists. Law enforcement is concerned that unless something is done, there will be more attacks such as the New York and New Jersey bombings by Ahmad Khan Rahami and the shootings in the San Bernardino, CA, attack and the Orlando, Florida, attack on the Rave nightclub. In these attacks, the perpetrators are said to be “inspired by” rather than “directed by” ISIS or other terrorist group. In all of these incidents there is no evidence that the perpetrators had any support, direction, or coordination from any foreign government, subgroup, or international terrorist group. The rise of the international lone wolf terrorist may prove to be the most serious Ted Soqui/Corbis/Getty Images challenge for the United States.
The rise of the international lone wolf terrorist raises several interesting questions. Among them are the following:
1. Many of the international lone wolf terrorists have been persons born and raised in the United States. Why would a citizen take up arms against the United States?
2. The most common and effective tool for recruiting, indoctrination, and training of the lone wolf terrorist is the Internet. However, the First Amendment provides robust protections of freedom of speech that make it difficult for law enforcement to shut down terrorist websites. Should First Amendment rights be curtailed to enable law enforcement to shut down these websites?
3. Frequently persons are attracted to terrorist groups based upon a perceived injustice committed by the government. In the beginning of this chapter it was discussed that the July 2016, Dallas, shootings were inspired by perceptions of racial inequality and injustice. Do you think the racial division in the United States could rise to the level that it would generate lone wolf terrorists?
4. Law enforcement has asked Congress for more powers, especially regarding search and seizure, in order to better detect and prevent terrorist attacks, particularly lone wolf attacks. Should Congress grant law enforcement additional powers?