Domestic terrorism has been a big issue in American security and the government administrations that have been in existence since the issue became the bitter medicine has been in war with it. In this paper I will look on who are the lone wolves, the government agencies responsible for dealing with them, challenges of handling them, why their attacks are disastrous and the domestic attacks trend.
Lone Wolves and the Federal agencies
Lone wolf is a terrorist who carry out terrorism activities as an individual without being commanded, involved in or funded by any group. Lone wolves are driven by hateful and violent ideologies like white supremacists, neo-Nazi and Jihadists. These individuals are a great threat to the security of American citizens. The federal government agencies responsible for locating and stopping these individuals are Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (eLearner, 2021).
The ways DHS uses to fight domestic terrorism includes; partnering with community organizations, disseminating intelligence information on time, working directly with people responsible for handling terrorism activities and public awareness programs (DHS, 2017). The DHS works together with the communities through the Office for Community Partnership. The office conducts public awareness workshops and trainings that involve faith leaders, communities and local government officers. These forums prevent the public from being radicalized and also educate them on where to channel intelligence information of a possible domestic threat. The office also has Countering Violent Extremism Grant Program that is awarded to individuals who come up with solutions meant to counter domestic terrorism.
The FBI collects and examines intelligence information on threats to U.S. citizens, properties and resources. The collected information is used to stop terror attack and is also shared with other relevant authorities for action and decision making (FBI, nd). The FBI cultivates a good relationship with the private sector, faith-based communities and other law enforcement agencies at all levels in order to be effective in countering violent extremists.
Challenges DHS Encounters while Handling Lone Wolves
Detecting the terror plans of the lone wolf terrorist is a great challenge to the DHS and other concerned government agencies. One, these terrorists act as individuals and therefore they have no line of command that can be intercepted by the intelligence agencies (EveryCRSReport, 2017). Although, most of these individuals are radicalized on the internet there is no email or telephone communication that goes on. The individuals just access hateful and violent materials like publications and on reading them, they turn to be strong believers of those hateful and violent ideologies. Two, a lone wolf does not participate in terror networks or in any terror related training and therefore they cannot be traced. Also their capability and knowledge of explosives, firearms and surveillance is difficult to assess. This makes the concerned agencies not able to stop the activities of these individuals.
Three, the concerned agencies do not share information in a right manner. For example, the FBI has some reservations of information it shares with the state and local government (The Heritage Foundation, 2013). The community where these individuals operate also fails to expose them before they carry out an attack. Lastly, Americans civil rights is a great obstacle in the fight against domestic terrorism. When the Americans are monitored by the government agencies it is perceived as an act against individual freedom. This makes the relevant authorities not to be too aggressive in surveillance of individuals who may be a threat to their fellow American citizens.
Why Lone Wolves Attacks Succeed
Lone wolves are able to carry out deadly attacks on the United State soil because of several reasons. One, recognizing and arresting a lone wolf is an uphill task as they act alone. They use their own creativity which is not disrupted by the group pressure and their decisions are straight forward. This makes it impossible for intelligence informant to be introduced in their lives. Two, it is difficult to know or predict an attack will come from which motivation. That is, existence of groups like white supremacists, anti-governments, neo-Nazi, abortionist and so forth diversifies lone wolves (GAO, 2017). Lastly, the freedom of speech as a fundamental right protects the lone wolf from being investigated. When lone wolves air their radical beliefs the investigative agencies do not have the power to dig their lives. This is because not all radicals are terrorists. This makes lone wolves issue threats but investigations only start after they carry out a lethal attack (Edwin Bakker, Beatrice de Graaf, 2010).
Domestic attack trend
In the past two years the domestic terror attacks have been on the rise. The prevailing political and other conditions indicates that the number of these attacks will continue to soar. The chief drivers of these attacks are white supremacists, anti-Muslims and anti-governments ideologies (The Washington Post, 2021). For example, when Trump, former president, talked of political fraud, individuals who are radicals of his ideologies were out ready to commit domestic attacks.
In conclusion, the agencies responsible for the domestic security have a huge task ahead of them. They need to up their game by engaging the public through public awareness programs to curb radicalization. They also need to come up with ways of dealing with online radicalization. The safety of American citizens and their resources is important.
Lone Wolves and the Federal agencies
Lone wolf is a terrorist who carry out terrorism activities as an individual without being commanded, involved in or funded by any group. Lone wolves are driven by hateful and violent ideologies like white supremacists, neo-Nazi and Jihadists. These individuals are a great threat to the security of American citizens. The federal government agencies responsible for locating and stopping these individuals are Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (eLearner, 2021).
The ways DHS uses to fight domestic terrorism includes; partnering with community organizations, disseminating intelligence information on time, working directly with people responsible for handling terrorism activities and public awareness programs (DHS, 2017). The DHS works together with the communities through the Office for Community Partnership. The office conducts public awareness workshops and trainings that involve faith leaders, communities and local government officers. These forums prevent the public from being radicalized and also educate them on where to channel intelligence information of a possible domestic threat. The office also has Countering Violent Extremism Grant Program that is awarded to individuals who come up with solutions meant to counter domestic terrorism.
The FBI collects and examines intelligence information on threats to U.S. citizens, properties and resources. The collected information is used to stop terror attack and is also shared with other relevant authorities for action and decision making (FBI, nd). The FBI cultivates a good relationship with the private sector, faith-based communities and other law enforcement agencies at all levels in order to be effective in countering violent extremists.
Challenges DHS Encounters while Handling Lone Wolves
Detecting the terror plans of the lone wolf terrorist is a great challenge to the DHS and other concerned government agencies. One, these terrorists act as individuals and therefore they have no line of command that can be intercepted by the intelligence agencies (EveryCRSReport, 2017). Although, most of these individuals are radicalized on the internet there is no email or telephone communication that goes on. The individuals just access hateful and violent materials like publications and on reading them, they turn to be strong believers of those hateful and violent ideologies. Two, a lone wolf does not participate in terror networks or in any terror related training and therefore they cannot be traced. Also their capability and knowledge of explosives, firearms and surveillance is difficult to assess. This makes the concerned agencies not able to stop the activities of these individuals.
Three, the concerned agencies do not share information in a right manner. For example, the FBI has some reservations of information it shares with the state and local government (The Heritage Foundation, 2013). The community where these individuals operate also fails to expose them before they carry out an attack. Lastly, Americans civil rights is a great obstacle in the fight against domestic terrorism. When the Americans are monitored by the government agencies it is perceived as an act against individual freedom. This makes the relevant authorities not to be too aggressive in surveillance of individuals who may be a threat to their fellow American citizens.
Why Lone Wolves Attacks Succeed
Lone wolves are able to carry out deadly attacks on the United State soil because of several reasons. One, recognizing and arresting a lone wolf is an uphill task as they act alone. They use their own creativity which is not disrupted by the group pressure and their decisions are straight forward. This makes it impossible for intelligence informant to be introduced in their lives. Two, it is difficult to know or predict an attack will come from which motivation. That is, existence of groups like white supremacists, anti-governments, neo-Nazi, abortionist and so forth diversifies lone wolves (GAO, 2017). Lastly, the freedom of speech as a fundamental right protects the lone wolf from being investigated. When lone wolves air their radical beliefs the investigative agencies do not have the power to dig their lives. This is because not all radicals are terrorists. This makes lone wolves issue threats but investigations only start after they carry out a lethal attack (Edwin Bakker, Beatrice de Graaf, 2010).
Domestic attack trend
In the past two years the domestic terror attacks have been on the rise. The prevailing political and other conditions indicates that the number of these attacks will continue to soar. The chief drivers of these attacks are white supremacists, anti-Muslims and anti-governments ideologies (The Washington Post, 2021). For example, when Trump, former president, talked of political fraud, individuals who are radicals of his ideologies were out ready to commit domestic attacks.
In conclusion, the agencies responsible for the domestic security have a huge task ahead of them. They need to up their game by engaging the public through public awareness programs to curb radicalization. They also need to come up with ways of dealing with online radicalization. The safety of American citizens and their resources is important.
