Accession Number:

AD1029778

Title:

Redirected Radicals: Understanding the Risk of Altered Targeting Trajectories Among ISIL's Aspiring Foreign Fighters

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

Naval Postgraduate School Monterey United States

Personal Author(s):

• Gordon,John T.

Report Date:

2016-09-01

Pagination or Media Count:

125.0

Abstract:

Since the formation of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant ISIL and its so-called Caliphate, the terrorist organization has demonstrated its capability and willingness to project force beyond its immediate area of operations in the Middle East, extending to Western countries. Rather than solely dispatching trained foreign fighters, in the United States, ISILs strategy has involved homegrown violent extremists HVEs with a limited range of connectivity to the group. This thesis explores the threat posed by a subgroup of HVEs identified as redirected radicals, aspiring foreign fighters who, when prevented by counterterrorism actions from traveling overseas, decided instead to alter their targeting trajectory and commit violence in their home countries.

Descriptors:

• man borne improvised explosive devices
• counterterrorism
• homeland security
• international relations
• law enforcement officers
• violence
• case studies
• intelligence community (united states)
• military personnel
• department of homeland security
• terrorists
• warfare
• United States government

Subject Categories:

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE