In this transmission, we dive into the complex world of terrorism, exploring its tactics, goals, and common myths. By the end, you'll understand how terrorism shapes policy, the strategic targeting used by terrorists, and the truth behind the "lone wolf" narrative.
Get ready as we uncover :
♠️ Why terrorism's primary goal is far more than just to ““terrorize”
♠️ How terrorist identify and choose their specific targets
♠️ The myths and misconceptions behind the "lone wolf" operative, and much more
Let’s go!
Terrorism 101
Today we’re tackling a heavy but important topic: terrorism.
We hear about it on the news, see its aftermath, and feel its impact in our lives. But what’s behind the violence? Why do terrorists do what they do? And is the lone wolf terrorist as isolated as we think?
We’re going to explore terrorism’s tactics, goals, and targets. Plus, we’ll dive into some eye-opening research by Dr. Paul Gill about lone wolves. This is a conversation you don’t want to miss—so let’s get started.
This transmission is taken from a 2-day course I teach to law enforcement, so if you’re interested in me doing more topics like this, let me know! I got a ton of material.
What Is Terrorism?
Let’s start by defining terrorism. It’s important because there’s no single agreed-upon definition. Most experts describe it as:
"The use of violence and intimidation of a civilian populace in pursuit of political aims."
What sets terrorism apart from other types of violence is its political intent. For example, the Columbine shooting was horrific, but it wasn’t terrorism—it lacked a political motive. On the other hand, the Fort Hood shooting was ideologically driven, which makes it an act of terrorism.
But here’s the thing: terrorism isn’t just about the violence itself. It’s about how that violence is used as a tactic of war. Terrorists exploit fear to bypass conventional security measures and destabilize societies.
The Goals of Terrorism
Here’s something that might surprise you: the goal of terrorism isn’t simply to kill or cause terror.
The ultimate goal of terrorism is to force a change in policy. The violence, while shocking, is just a means to an end.
How do terrorists achieve this? There are several strategies:
They use violence and brutality to grab attention.
They taunt the authorities, making governments seem powerless.
They create havoc and fear, disrupting daily life.
And, most importantly, they work to shatter public trust in the government’s ability to keep citizens safe.
When people lose confidence in their leaders, terrorists gain leverage.
Choosing Targets
Now, let’s talk about how terrorists choose their targets. Their attacks aren’t random—they’re carefully calculated to maximize impact.
1. Symbolic Landmarks
Think of the World Trade Center or the Statue of Liberty. These are more than just buildings—they represent national power and identity. By attacking these symbols, terrorists send a chilling message.
2. Soft Targets
Schools, hospitals, government offices—places with little security but high emotional value—are often targeted. These are the places that make headlines and sow fear.
3. Critical Infrastructure
Bridges, tunnels, power grids, transportation systems—all these are prime targets. Disrupting infrastructure not only causes chaos but also hurts economies and shakes public confidence.
Types of Attacks
Terrorist attacks fall into two broad categories:
Major Attacks
Think 9/11 or the Oklahoma City bombing. These events are designed for maximum destruction and global attention.
Small-Scale Attacks
These are more common and include things like:
IEDs or suicide bombers.
Active shooter incidents, like Nidal Hasan at Fort Hood or the Charlie Hebdo attacks in France.
Even knife attacks, which are simple but still devastating.
The Types of Terrorists
Terrorists come in different forms. Let’s break it down:
State-Sponsored or Group-Affiliated
These include groups like Hamas or Hezbollah, supported by nation-states or organizations.
Independent Terrorists with Group Links
These are individuals who, although acting independently, are inspired or loosely connected to a larger terrorist group. They may not receive direct orders but share the ideology, motivations, or tactics of the group. Here are two examples:
Nidal Hasan (Fort Hood Shooter): In 2009, Army Major Nidal Hasan carried out a shooting spree at Fort Hood, Texas, killing 13 people and injuring over 30 others. While Hasan was not directly commanded by al-Qaeda or any terrorist organization, he was known to have expressed strong sympathies toward extremist Islamic ideologies, particularly those associated with al-Qaeda.
Muhammad Merah (Toulouse Shootings): In 2012, Muhammad Merah, who carried out a series of shootings in Toulouse, France, killing seven people, claimed ties to al-Qaeda. Though Merah did not appear to be part of any structured terrorist group, his attacks were reportedly inspired by the extremist group’s ideology, making him an example of an independent terrorist with group links.
Lone Wolves
A lone wolf terrorist is an individual who carries out acts of terrorism independently, without direct support or affiliation with a larger terrorist organization or network. While they may be inspired by extremist ideologies, they typically act alone, planning and executing attacks on their own, without receiving orders from a group.
Example: Anders Behring Breivik, who carried out the 2011 Norway attacks, is a classic lone wolf. He acted on his own, without direct support or instructions from a terrorist group, although he claimed to be inspired by far-right ideologies and terrorism, like the anti-Islamic group “Knights Templar.”
Other examples include Timothy McVeigh or Eric Rudolph—people who operate without direct ties to any organization.
The Lone Wolf Terrorist
And this brings us to the lone wolf terrorist, which leads us to the fascinating research by Dr. Paul Gill, one of the leading experts on lone wolf terrorism. His report entitled, Bombing Alone: Tracing the Motivations and Antecedent Behaviors of Lone-Actor, which appeared in the Terrorist; Journal of Forensic Science, March 2014, Vol. 59 No. 2, surveyed 119 so-called lone wolf attacks in the United States and Europe and shed a bright light on the myths and realities surrounding these types of attacks.
Most notably, he debunked a number of myths concerning lone wolf attackers. Here are four that I pulled from the report:
Myth 1: Lone Wolves Are Completely Isolated
Not true. Dr. Gill’s research found that over 30% of lone wolves had prior connections to extremist groups, either online or in-person. What’s more, 48% interacted in-person with other members of extremist groups.
Myth 2: Lone Wolves Are Impulsive
Another misconception. According to the study, a vast portion of the lone wolves plan their attacks in advance, often for months. 21% sought “hands on” training. 45% acquired online training, and close to a third of them engaged in rehearsals or dry-runs in preparation of their attack. They may act alone, but they’re deliberate and strategic. Therefore the adage that the attacker just “snapped” or that the act was spontaneous is a non-starter.
Myth 3: Lone Wolves Are Mentally Ill
While mental health issues do play a role, they’re not the norm. Gill’s data shows that only about 30% of lone wolves have documented mental health conditions. That’s a significant factor, but it’s just a factor. Said another way, approximately 70% of the attackers survey displayed no history of mental disease or defect. That in itself, is cause for concern.
Myth 4: Lone Wolves Are Silent
Lastly, Gil’s reports shatters the notion that lone wolves are silent….well, loners. On the contrary, evidence suggested that other people were generally aware of the Lone Wolf intentions before the attack. Cases abound where lone wolf voiced their grievances or intent to commit violence to friends, family, or co-workers; published their manifestos on social media or other forums. In fact, in many instances, the identity and intent of the attacker was known to law enforcement well before the execution of the attack. So, the notion that these lone wolves were simply navigating “under the radar” until the timing of their attack is a myth.
Dr. Gil’s research is fascinating, eye-opening, and freely available online. I highly recommend downloading a copy if you want to learn more.
Wrapping it up…
So, what can we take away from this? Terrorism isn’t just violence—it’s a calculated strategy to coerce and manipulate. From large-scale attacks to lone wolves, the tactics may differ, but the goal remains the same: to force a change in policy.
Dr. Paul Gill’s work reminds us that even lone wolves don’t operate in a vacuum. Understanding their motives and methods is crucial to preventing future attacks.
It’s important the you understand what terrorism is and what it isn’t. In this age of total warfare where even information is weaponized, understanding topics like this will help you navigate the news cycle and make you more resilient to propaganda and manipulation.
Thank you for tuning in to this episode. If you found it insightful, please share it with someone who might benefit from hearing this. Stay informed, stay resilient, and as always, take care.
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