ISIS is mobilizing in the U.S. in an “unprecedented” way
Dec 4, 2015 18:59:33 GMT -5
Post by Shoshanna on Dec 4, 2015 18:59:33 GMT -5
ISIS is mobilizing in the U.S. in an “unprecedented” way and here’s how they are doing it
Yasmeen Alamiri, Political Reporter | Posted on December 1, 2015 3:57 pm
A new report is revealing a disturbing fact: ISIS’ mobilization in the United States has been “unprecedented.”
The study by George Washington’s Program on Extremism revealed that authorities have spoken to around 250 Americans who have at least tried to travel to Syria or Iraq to join the ranks of ISIS. The report also showed that there are a total of 900 active probes against ISIS supporters across the United States.
The profiles of the types of people who get involved in ISIS related activities vary widely regarding race, age, socio-economic status, education and family background. Similarly, the report found that the motivations for people to get involved with ISIS are also diverse.
However, one unifying factor in the key to ISIS’ radicalization and mobilization in the United States is their use of social media. The program, which released the report, identified 300 Americans and U.S. based ISIS sympathizers that are active on social media, corresponding with one another, and spreading propaganda through social media—particularly Twitter.
The report found that 71 people have been charged with ISIS-related activities in the U.S. since March 2014—56 in 2015 alone—a record number of terrorism-related arrests for any year since 9/11. Of those that were charged, the average age was 26 years old, 86 percent are male, 51 percent traveled, or attempted to travel abroad, and 27 percent were involved in plots to carry out attacks on U.S. soil. The majority—55 percent—were arrested in an operation involving an informant and/or undercover agent, the study found.
The report comes at a time of heightened concern about homegrown terror after the November 13 Paris attacks killed 130 people. It also comes as the United States continues to debate the allowance of Syrian refugees into the U.S. ISIS has a strategic hub in Syria.
link
Yasmeen Alamiri, Political Reporter | Posted on December 1, 2015 3:57 pm
A new report is revealing a disturbing fact: ISIS’ mobilization in the United States has been “unprecedented.”
The study by George Washington’s Program on Extremism revealed that authorities have spoken to around 250 Americans who have at least tried to travel to Syria or Iraq to join the ranks of ISIS. The report also showed that there are a total of 900 active probes against ISIS supporters across the United States.
The profiles of the types of people who get involved in ISIS related activities vary widely regarding race, age, socio-economic status, education and family background. Similarly, the report found that the motivations for people to get involved with ISIS are also diverse.
However, one unifying factor in the key to ISIS’ radicalization and mobilization in the United States is their use of social media. The program, which released the report, identified 300 Americans and U.S. based ISIS sympathizers that are active on social media, corresponding with one another, and spreading propaganda through social media—particularly Twitter.
The report found that 71 people have been charged with ISIS-related activities in the U.S. since March 2014—56 in 2015 alone—a record number of terrorism-related arrests for any year since 9/11. Of those that were charged, the average age was 26 years old, 86 percent are male, 51 percent traveled, or attempted to travel abroad, and 27 percent were involved in plots to carry out attacks on U.S. soil. The majority—55 percent—were arrested in an operation involving an informant and/or undercover agent, the study found.
The report comes at a time of heightened concern about homegrown terror after the November 13 Paris attacks killed 130 people. It also comes as the United States continues to debate the allowance of Syrian refugees into the U.S. ISIS has a strategic hub in Syria.
link
