There have been a number of recent terrorist attacks carried out by individuals who did not necessarily have any actual affiliation with major terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State ("ISIS"). These so-called "lone-wolf" actors may be inspired by the recruitment videos and hashtag campaigns delivered via social media by the Islamic State and other terrorist groups, but they move from inspiration to action on their own, without direct communication with terrorist groups’ leadership. In a May, 2017 article entitled "The Islamic State and the End of Lone-Wolf Terrorism," the authors argue that such individual actors who are inspired by ISIS or Al-Qaeda are not "lone-wolves" at all, but rather part of a community, part of something bigger than themselves, and "indeed part of history -- anything but alone." Do you agree that this new kind of remotely-inspired terrorism should no longer be classified as "lone-wolf" terrorism? In a few sentences, explain why or why not and post your comments. Please also comment on at least one other student's post to extend the discussion in the forum. (Please write an paragraph of response)
Yes, I do agree that this new kind of remotely-inspired terrorism should no longer be classified as "lone-wolf" terrorism, at least for the most part. The reason being, these "lone-wolf" actors or simply "lone wolves", for the most part, could be a part of a community, part of something bigger than themselves. Other communities would be backing these lone wolves directly or indirectly, willingly or unknowingly, to a small or to a large extent. In this case, either the lone wolf would have initiated the act of affiliation with such a community or the community would have approached the lone wolf for support or even seek support.
However, in practice, and in facts, it is all mixed up, random, and maybe even unorganized. Upon reviewing the trend, facts, numbers, and further investigation, yes, it can be said, these lone wolves are part of a much larger community, organization, activists, etc., if definitely not from Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State ("ISIS").
All these conclusions and judgments can be passed on only when the truth and facts are found out. These lone wolves cannot be alone, as they may not have the courage to indulge in terrorism all alone unless they have a powerful and dangerous weapon or a mass destruction weapon to offend or at least defend themselves from others. Hence, only their weapons give them courage, even when they are alone. Otherwise, they would not plan in terrorist attacks, carry them out, or even if they have done it, would not be able to escape or hide themselves, and most likely will surrender, or even be caught by police, defense, FBI, CIA, detectives, even public, or people, etc. Even if they hide or escape they will not be able to do so, for a long time, one day or the other they will be found out through their behavior or other proofs.
On an exceptional case, there might be one, a couple, or even very few of lone wolves have indulged in terrorist attacks, and yet, thereafter have escaped and have been living amongst innocent people all alone. It is also very possible. In such scenarios, they move from inspiration to act on their own, without direct communication with terrorist groups’ leadership. If this is the situation, then, clearly, obviously, evidently, and by all means, any individual, angry, provoked, innocent, mentally retarded, or a psychopath person with a weapon or a mass destruction weapon killing people and damaging a significant amount of public and government properties and assets, should and must also be considered as a lone wolf, irrespective of who he/she is killing and how many of them.
And these lone wolves might not be inspired by the recruitment videos and hashtag campaigns delivered through social media by the Islamic State and other terrorist groups in any way, as the reason could just be personal, or no reason at all.
On the other hand, there could be a set of lone wolves who, in the first place would have been emerged and formed from the inspiration, motivation, and encouragement from major terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda, the Islamic State ("ISIS"), etc. Yes, in such cases, with proofs obtained from those lone wolves, can be considered of them actually, directly or indirectly, to some or to a large extent affiliated with major terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State ("ISIS"). Yes, in such situations, these so-called "lone-wolf" actors may be inspired by the recruitment videos and hashtag campaigns delivered through social media by the Islamic State and other terrorist groups. Hence, anything a person, group, or an organization posts the recruitment videos and hashtag campaigns on the social media could directly or indirectly, intentionally or unknowingly, and to a small or to a large extent, does give a reason, at least the slightest reason of him/her accountable for creating a lone wolf.
No one can assume anyone of being a lone wolf or affiliated with any terrorist organization, other organization, or him being all alone. This will have to be found out, proved, through investigations, facts, figures, proofs, judgments, and only on one's (lone wolves) actions. If a lone wolf indulging in a terrorist attack is an "action" performed by him/her. Any communication, interaction, or affiliation with any terrorist organization, other organizations, or even another lone wolf, would, could, and should be considered as an "action", which clearly, establishes a link between the lone wolf and the other party (bad actor).
Hence, the conclusion is, the lone wolves could be a part of a community or any community.
There have been a number of recent terrorist attacks carried out by individuals who did not...