CCJ6027: Comparative Analysis

Chani Kinsler
April 2024
CCJ 6027 sec 0W61
Dr. Mark Winton

Authors Note: This is Research paper is for CCJ 6027 0W61-Spring Criminal Justice Responses to Terrorism and is to be completed by Chani Kinsler. This paper is a comparative analysis paper about two terrorist organizations, this author will be discussing the Proud Boys, and Oath Keepers. This report is to be submitted to Professor Mark Winton and is due 04/15/2024 Monday.

Terrorism Comparative Analysis – Introduction
When we think of terrorism many think of something in the Middle East, and or has to do with Islam or Islamic practicing countries. It is an oversight that many don’t even think of their own countries and the terrorist activities that occur, and at times might ignore and over look dangerous events and/or behavior because of that bias of thinking. I would agree that there is a stigma for many to not see extremism a terrorism, that can lead to radicalization, which if left un checked the end result is terrorism that can be within a country, or take place in some one else’s.
“We define radicalization as the psychological and behavioral process by which an individual is immersed in, and ultimately adopts, an extremist ideology.” (How Extremism Operates Online: A Primer, 2022).
Extremists usually have a main focus of race, ethnicity, and /or anti-government, where they direct a lot of their hate toward, and engage in a decent amount of religious prejudice at least in the two groups that will be the focus of my comparative analysis. You will see these two groups both used the Internet as a low-cost mechanism to extend their reach and finance their activities, network with like-minded individuals, recruit new members, share knowledge among themselves, as well as coordinate operational activities. Using online sources such as: “message forums, social networking platforms, streaming services, live chats of video games, static websites, and encrypted communication applications.” A lot of the messaging applications, especially the encrypted ones ensure users ‘anonymity.” (Williams, H. J., & Evans, A. T. 2022)
These spaces are a perfect opportunity for radicalization, creating virtual echo chambers that immerse users in similar media environments. People already are attracted to socializing with like-minded people and to seek out information that agrees with their beliefs, many websites “use algorithmic systems that are designed to anticipate user desires and to customize their experience on a platform, ensuring the presentation of information is according to those preferences.” (How Extremism Operates Online: A primer, 2022).
Both groups that will be discussed engage in what is called “Racially and ethnically motivated violent extremism (REMVE) which are groups that promote a combination of racist, anti-Semitic, xenophobic, Islamophobic, misogynistic, and homophobic ideology. They see their race or ethnicity under threat and promote the use of or engage in violence against the group they hate or discriminate against. Both groups that engage in REMVE hold cultural nationalism, white nationalism (a country or region by White racial identity and promoting the interests of White people exclusively and at the expense of non-White populations), or White supremacy beliefs that Caucasian or “Aryan” peoples represent superior races, and that “White culture” is superior to other cultures. (Williams, H. J., Matthews, L. J., 2022)
Several unique characteristics of the internet make it an effective medium for individual radicalization. The first is the prevalence of virtual echo chambers that immerse users in homogeneous media environments. Online, the natural human tendency to socialize with like-minded individuals and to seek out information that affirms prior beliefs is reinforced through algorithmic systems that are designed to anticipate user desires and to customize the presentation of information according to demonstrated preferences.” ( How Extremism Operates Online: A primer, 2022).
Another similarity that both groups have is Christian Patriot paramilitarism, using survivalism, outdoor skills, guerrilla training, and outright sedition. Many of these groups only being around within the past 25 years, they constantly repackage and rebrand themselves, to maintain the interest of potential new recruits. Intermixing the religious beliefs with conspiracy theories like ones detailed in “the novel The Turner Diaries, written by the late William Pierce under the pseudonym Andrew MacDonald, which has been cited as “the Bible” of the Christian Patriots”, using their religious text to justify violence, discrimination, and even sedition against the government. Many of them even taking it as far as plotting and following through on attacks on government buildings, intimidating people, othering as well as other groups they demeaned as thieves or robbing them of the jobs, land, or funds they think should go to them. The man hate themes stay the same, racism, antisemitism, and usually anti-immigration. Once an extremist group adds or already has religious dogma in the mix, they “transform abstract political ideologies and objectives into a religious imperative.” Basically, proposing that we kill or get rid of “blank”, whoever this other group is they need to be their enemy. (Inside Terrorism, 2017)
These religious extremist groups are very similar to white supremacist, and nationalist in regards to their racial intolerance, hostility toward government above the county level, demonization’s of Jews and nonwhites as children of Satan, an obsession with achieving through political, and at times violent means the religious and racial purification of the United States, follows conspiracy theory of usually from their perspective with an evil powerful Jewish interests controlling the government, banks, and the media, they promote overthrowing of the U.S. government, or they will at times refer to it as the ZOG (Zionist Occupation Government). (Inside Terrorism, 2017)

Domestic Terrorist Group One – Proud Boys
The Proud Boys were started in 2016 by a Canadian named Gavin McInnes who was the co-founded for Vice magazine, whom left the business in 2008 due to creative differences, the Proud Boys calls its self a Western Chauvinists all male group. Many are drawn to the group because of its pro white rhetoric, Islamophobic rhetoric, transphobia, anti-feminism, ultra paternalism placing women in a subservient position, embracing libertarian ideals, anti-communist, and the alt right support from the leader McInnes, even thought he would claim that he reject white nationalism, he would turn around and use the same rhetoric and talking points in a positive light. It also didn’t help his claims when it was exposed his close connections with racist and work on hate sites like “VDare.com and American Renaissance, which publish the work of white supremacists and so-called race realists”. (Proud Boys, Southern Poverty Law Center) The group is easily recognizable from their yellow and black polos, usually ones from the Fred Perry clothing line, who stop selling the shirts because them being used by the hate group. Donning a name from the Alladin Song Proud of Your Boy. You will here them misappraising the word Uhuru a Swahili word they took from a video of an activist taking about reparations. “February 2021, the Canadian government designated the Proud Boys as a terrorist entity, citing the role the group played in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.” (Proud Boys, Southern Poverty Law Center)
The Proud boys have four degrees… One: Must declare “I am a Western chauvinist, and I refuse to apologize for creating the modern world.” Two: must endure a beating until they can yell out the names of five breakfast cereals (in order to demonstrate “adrenaline control”). Three: demonstrated their commitment by getting a Proud Boys tattoo. Four: For those who have gotten into a fight for the group/or cause. The Proud Boys try to make it appear like they are not a racist group allowing “any man – no matter his race or sexual orientation – can join the fraternal organization as long as they recognize that white men are not the problem.” They later created the Proud Girls who are the girlfriends and wives of the proud boys (Proud Boys, Southern Poverty Law Center)
The Proud Boys have frequently done rallies, in Muslim communities, join neo nazi and white supremist rallies, always present at alt-right events. “Proud Boys member Kyle Chapman announced he was forming a new “tactical defense arm” of the Proud Boys called the Fraternal Order of Alt-Knights (FOAK). The paramilitary wing positioned itself as a defensive organization formed to protect right-wing activists at political demonstrations.” Chapman and the FOAK are known for its violent rhetoric and tactics. Due to in fighting the group dissolved in 2018. Just to emphasis the embrace of violence the group likes to physically assault people as they wear shirts like Pinochet (a Chilean dictator that killed thousands of people) did nothing wrong. They Spread most of their message on places like Facebook, telegram, YouTube, etc. with many platforms now banning the group from participating on the site, but it does stop member from making new pages. Gavin McInnes tried to make it appear that the Proud Boys were moving away from white supremacy by stepping away as leader of the group, then appointing Van Dyke as the lead which he stepped down as well they later nominated Enrique Tarrio, an Afro-Cuban man who once led the Miami Proud Boys chapter, took over as chairman after Van Dyke’s removal in 2018. (Proud Boys, Southern Poverty Law Center)

Domestic Terrorist Group Two – Oath Keepers
The Oath Keepers started in 2009 in Lexington, Massachusetts by Elmer “Stewart” Rhodes, a Yale Law School graduate and former U.S. Army paratrooper. The Oath Keepers are an extremist group that leans toward anti-government rhetoric, The group also has close ties to the three percenters another militia anti-government group and to “Arizona Sheriff Richard Mack, the founder of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA). Mack is a founding member on the Oath Keepers board of directors.” (Oath Keepers, Southern Poverty Law Center)
What makes the Oath Keepers dangerous is because they have over 35,000 member whom are in positions of leadership in the United States including current and former military, law enforcement and emergency first responders. Those apart of the Oath Keepers must vow to keep the oath to support and defend the constitution against enemies foreign and domestic, even if they must go against lawmakers and judges. This creed is where the group gets its name from. (Oath Keepers, Southern Poverty Law Center) Oath Keepers preach that the government is attacking its own citizens by taking their rights and liberties away, and encourage the people to gather weapons, supplies, and other necessary goods pending to fight with the government. They spread new world order conspiracy theory, even Q-Anon-related conspiracies on their website. In the run up to the election, hyper fear proliferation of what they call the “list of 10 “Orders We Will Not Obey” – a compendium of perceived but unrealized threats from the government.” (Oath Keepers, Southern Poverty Law Center)
The Oath Keepers engage in protest, security, for protest, and personnel, with a main focus of recruiting “military, law enforcement and other public-safety positions. They are often confrontational and have participated in multiple armed standoffs against the government. The most recent is the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when members of the group, including its leader, Stewart Rhodes, were arrested and accused of conspiring to oppose the presidential transfer of power by force.” (Oath Keepers, Southern Poverty Law Center)
“In April 2014, Rhodes and several fellow Oath Keepers traveled to the Nevada ranch of Cliven Bundy, answering a nationwide call Bundy made asking militiamen to join him in standing up to federal officials seeking to seize his cattle because he had refused to pay federal grazing fees for some 20 years.” “In June 2017, Oath Keepers participated in “March Against Sharia” rallies organized by ACT for America, an anti-immigrant hate group. The main message of these events is the false notion that Muslims are attempting to replace the American legal system with Sharia law.” “In December 2018, the Oath Keepers website advertised a call to action for a “Border Operation,” encouraging engagement in paramilitary activity to prevent the “invasion” of “illegals” into the country and to provide “security for border ranches and families,” presumably against immigrants, another exaggerated and unsupported claim propagated by the group.” Protected business that was being shut down by the government that did adhere to the health mandates during covid-19 outbreak. (Oath Keepers, Southern Poverty Law Center)
“After the results of the 2020 election were announced, Rhodes and the Oath Keepers urged Trump to use the Insurrection Act to maintain his position of power and reject the results of the election. The group argued that the election was stolen from Trump and participated in several “Stop the Steal” protests.” “On Jan. 6, 2021, members of the Oath Keepers from around the country participated in the insurrection and breach of the U.S. Capitol building. To date, at least 20 members have been arrested and face criminal charges for their activities.” (Oath Keepers, Southern Poverty Law Center)
“The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has played a unique role in the evolving literature on terrorism and violent extremism. “The project created the Profiles of Individual Radicalization in the United States (PIRUS) database, a cross-ideological repository of information on the characteristics of U.S. extremists. This project yielded the Bias Incidents and Actors Study (BIAS) dataset, the first data resource for researchers and practitioners interested in understanding the risk and protective factors associated with committing hate crimes. (What NIJ research tells us about domestic terrorism)

How Domestic Terrorist Groups Recruit
In NIJ studies About of seven people with U.S. military backgrounds within a given year committed extremist crimes between 1990 and 2010. This has increased to 29 people per year over the past decade. More than half of the extremist are violent, with them have that military background makes them even more dangerous. This military background has been a risk factor playing a role in domestic radicalization and actual terrorism, usually occurring after service. They become susceptible to these tactics of recruitment, because of their skills in combat, and these extremist groups wanting to take advantage of that thinking it will increase the likelihood of them being successful in an attack. These groups are providing these former serve members an outlet as they transition from military life to civilian, which appears to be a pulling factor for violent extremism (What NIJ research tells us about domestic terrorism)
People with military service who engaged in domestic violent extremism were more likely to be older, male, and in marital or other partner relationships than civilians who engaged in domestic violent extremism. Also compared those that were civilian extremists, military veteran extremists had closer ties and affiliations with right-wing terrorist groups (versus left-wing, international, or other terrorist groups) and were more likely to hold leadership positions within these groups and either initiate a terrorist group or unite groups together. “Finally, other than government/federal officials or buildings, which were the primary targets across all groups, the primary targets of veterans were diverse social groups, such as those belonging to racial, ethnic, and religious minority groups.” (What NIJ research tells us about domestic terrorism)
A lot of these ideologies especially ones that are right wing break down into particular movements, or sub-ideologies. The PIRUS and BIAS data shown that U.S. extremists and individuals who commit hate crimes are motivated by views that a lot of times over lap. An example would be anti-government militia movement adopting views of white supremacy or those from the extremist environmental movement being involved in anarchist violence. About 17% of those in PIRUS were affiliated with more than one extremist group or sub-ideological movement, and nearly 15% of those in BIAS selected the victims of their hate crimes because of their race and/or sexual orientation. (What NIJ research tells us about domestic terrorism)

Vulnerabilities of Potential Members and Internet Use
Both groups prey on individuals that have many negative life experiences, like maladjustment, abuse, and family instability. Convincing them that only they can empower them and give them purpose, giving them a deeper sense of belonging and explanation for their life troubles, rooted in a sense of racial pride and empowerment.” (What NIJ research tells us about domestic terrorism)
Extreme right-wing discourse and ideologies are usually traditionalist, gendering their spaces creating hierarchical boundaries with strictly ridge masculine and feminine expectations. Toting that this is “the survival of the nation.” (Trends Alert: Extreme Right-Wing terrorism., 2020) this rules and expectations, that makes misogyny and subjugation acceptable and at times violence against women (including incitement of rape), and promote their role to be mothers and housewives. There is also persistent anti-immigrant dogma especially conspiracy theories such as “the great replacement.” Violence and behavior that is being displayed is a fear, white men are losing power in an ever-changing, multicultural landscape country ,2and people in the right positions are exploiting that using propaganda and recruitment strategies. Despite the misogyny, women play an active role in these movements, including in promoting rhetoric and as active supporters and proponents of their agenda.” (Trends Alert: Extreme Right-Wing terrorism., 2020)
“Moreover, the mechanics of social media platforms may foster a sense of group identification by normalizing previously taboo views and reinforcing adherence to group values, norms, and attitudes. Perhaps the most notable examples are YouTube’s content-recommendation system, which has been criticized widely for privileging divisive or incendiary content and entrapping viewers in a “hate-inducing” spiral of increasingly one-sided and extreme content, and Facebook’s reaction algorithm, which encouraged the spread of misinformation and malicious content by boosting the dissemination of content that angered viewers.” ( How Extremism Operates Online: A primer, 2022).
“Extremists gain capital from donations from supporters, donation applications.
Indiegogo and GoFundMe, Patreon, and We Searcher. Selling items, online at places like eBay, Amazon, and Etsy. Using self-publishing services (Amazon’s CreateSpace) and
music-streaming services (Spotify or iTunes) that serve the dual purpose of promoting
radical ideas like manuals and training guides racist biographies, manifestos, other written works, and asking for donations.” These tactics can lead the way to persuade potential or new supporters to their agendas, and establishing their goals; allowing individuals to engage privately or anonymously. (Williams, H. J., & Evans, A. T. 2022)
One of the oldest and most popular white supremacist website/ forums that is still active today Stormfront, which was started in 1995, by a former Ku Klux Klan (KKK) leader Don Black the site acts as a white nationalist forum (Williams, H. J., & Evans, A. T. 2022) “Existing research also shows that social media, internet-based communication technologies,
charismatic influencers, and other digital platforms play an important role in encouraging political polarization, aiding the spread of false or misleading information, and amplifying conspiracy theories. A lot of these extremist communities encourage the adoption of radical norms, ideas, and behavior that extend into offline spaces. Pathways to radicalization, creating virtual echo chambers, which immerse users in the natural human tendency to socialize with like-minded individuals and to seek out information that affirms prior beliefs is reinforced online through algorithmic systems that anticipate user desires and customize thei experience, shaping the information they receive. (Williams, H. J., & Evans, A. T. 2022)
Radicalization scholar Peter Neumann has pointed out that these influences especially can cause people to “acquire a skewed sense of reality so that extremist attitudes and violence are no longer taboos but rather are seen as positive and desirable.” (Williams, H. J., & Evans, A. T. 2022) “Across the six social media platforms that RAND researchers examined, Twitter REMVE communities are the largest. Twitter also provides direct information about user-supplied locations, and most Twitter REMVE network communities appear to be dominated by users in the United States. Furthermore, most geolocated network connections on Twitter are within single countries and have little observed transnational network connectivity. The authors considered whether this was true for networks generally by looking at social network comparators of general religious discourse or specifically Christian discourse on Twitter and found that these trends dominated by users in the United States and within-country focused were particularly true for REMVE networks.” (Williams, H. J., & Evans, A. T. 2022)
I would agree why domestic terrorist groups that have a strong religious leaning into Christianity, is because the strong societal pressure to be a Christian and of course the early indoctrination at a young age into the belief system. So when these believers become adults, they don’t associate these groups as being dangerous, because their religious dogma convinces them otherwise. They are already believing with no presentation of evidence everything that is in their religious text, as it is interpreted to them, so these groups can easily use the same misinformation tactics with success. As we can see from the information provided above, the research is there just the serious of the issue needs to come into focus more, so that the radicalization of people in these areas can be addressed.

Reference
How Extremism Operates Online: A primer. (2022). In RAND Corporation eBooks. https://doi.org/10.7249/pea1458-2 via https://www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PEA1458-2.html

Inside Terrorism. (2017). 3rd edition, Bruce Hoffman. Columbia University Press

Trends Alert: Extreme Right-Wing terrorism. (2020). https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/ctc/sites/www.un.org.securitycouncil.ctc/files/files/documents/2021/Jan/cted_trends_alert_extreme_right-wing_terrorism.pdf

Oath keepers. (n.d.). Southern Poverty Law Center. https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/oath-keepers

Proud boys. (n.d.). Southern Poverty Law Center. https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys

What NIJ research tells us about domestic terrorism | National Institute of Justice. (n.d.). January 4, 2024. National Institute of Justice. https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/what-nij-research-tells-us-about-domestic-terrorism

Williams, H. J., & Evans, A. T. (2022, April 27). Extremist use of online spaces. RAND. https://www.rand.org/pubs/testimonies/CTA1458-1.html

Williams, H. J., Matthews, L. J., Moore, P., DeNardo, M. A., Marrone, J., V., Jackson, B. A., Marcellino, W., & Helmus, T. C. (2022, August 22). A Dangerous Web: Mapping racially and ethnically motivated violent extremism. RAND via https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RBA1841-1.html

CCJ6027: Case Study 1 – State Sponsors of Terrorism

Instead of focusing on an organization, group, or individual for my case study I wanted to talk about countries that sponsor terrorism, or use their militaries to commit terrorist acts. In order for a country to be engaged in state sponsor terrorism that country would have to repeatedly provide support for acts of international terrorism. Some of the consequences are sanctions, in the form of bans on exports, prohibition on economic assistance, and other restrictions, that impact the country being able to gain capital, or receive goods. (Foreign Terrorist Organizations, 2023) Terrorism is when a person, group, organization, and possibility even a countries’ government may use threats or use violence usually to intimidate or coerce for their own political or ideological goals. Even though for the most part terrorist are considered non-state actors and not part of the government, there are times when a terrorist group is acting on behalf of a of state or country, or a country might allow terrorist safe harbor. (Countries that Support Terrorism, 2024)
Currently as of 2022 the country of Iran is considered the leading country engaged in state sponsored terrorism. Plotting attacks against the United States and engaging in arranging murders of US officials. Followed by Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), and Syria, according to the Department of United States of State, some experts would agree the lack of involvement recently should see these countries removed from the list. In the past and possibly currently some countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Sudan have been safe havens for terrorist.(Countries that Support Terrorism, 2024) In order for a country to no longer be on the state sponsored terror list they would need to have fundamental changes in their leadership and policies of their country, so the country is no longer supporting acts of international terrorism, and that their country would have to provide assurances that it will not support acts of international terrorism in the future. Support can be viewed as providing weapons, training/or space to train, safe haven from capture or deportation (even extradition), allowing diplomatic facilities, financial support, offering intelligences or logistic and/or other support like helping with image and recruitment for example. (Countries that Support Terrorism, 2024) (Bookings, 2016)

I plan in the future to do my paper own countries like those listed above that engage in state sponsored terrorism, if there could be other countries that engage in these behaviors as well that are excluded from this list, and how their actions have been viewed, the reaction from other countries, tactics used to combat their behavior and the history behind their involvement.

For example Saudi Arabia and Pakistan both countries that are considered allies of the United States and partners with the US in the war on terrorism, yet both meet the criteria for state sponsored terrorism but are not listed as such; it appears for political reasons. Some even say Western countries like the United States are missing form this list as well because of their historic actions according to “Dr. Daniel Byman, Assistant Professor, Edmund A Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University and Nonresident Senior Fellow, Saban Center for Middle East Policy, Brookings Institute.” There are many theories as to why a countries government would engage in state sponsored terrorism rather it is overt where you see them give direct support or more passive by not interfering in their activity usually to make it look like they are not supporting terrorism by using “political parties, charities, or other non-state actors with no formal link to the government.” (Bookings, 2016)
Dr. Byman implies their support is for “Domestic and strategic reasons, it can also be because of a lack of control over various sectors or territories. Other key factors are domestic sympathy for the group exists and its cause is viewed as legitimate by the people and/or government officials, the group poses little threat to it and a crackdown would generate a political backlash, in the country, and how support no matter if it is overt or passive has relatively low costs and even presents a strategic opportunity rather it be domestically or internationally.” (Bookings, 2016)
Some topics I would like to hopefully explore with countries like this is the lack of capacity for these governments to be effective against the terrorism and support of it in their country. The pattern of most of the countries and or organizations being listed as terrorist or sponsors being areas where valuable resources are located, and/or Islam or a version of it is the predominate religion. Another example of religion playing a motivating role, is with countries like Saudi Arabia whom according to Dr. Daniel L. Byman, sees the passive support of terrorism this country does, having some influence from their motivation to want to spread an extreme Salafi interpretation of Islam. Some would say despite this country even the United States for example tolerating their behavior is because it presents a strategic opportunity that benefits the US’s interest, in this case for resources for example oil. (Turning a Blind eye)
I look forward in the future exploring more about the actions or better yet inaction countries take in regards to state sponsored terrorism, and how and why some countries overt and passive support are ignored while others are condemned, or worst propaganda is used to their benefit. I am sure bias, hypocrisy, and conflict of interest will play a role in some of these instances.

References
Country Reports on Terrorism 2022 – United States Department of State. (2024, January 18). United States Department of State. https://www.state.gov/reports/country-reports-on-terrorism-2022/

Foreign Terrorist Organizations – United States Department of State. (2023, December 19). United States Department of State. https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/

George, A. L. (1992). Western state terrorism. Choice Reviews Online, 29(07), 29–4031. https://doi.org/10.5860/choice.29-4031
Herre, B. (2024, February 12). Terrorism. Our World in Data. https://ourworldindata.org/terrorism?insight=terrorism-affects-some-countries-much-more-than-others#key-insights

Turning a blind eye: passive sponsorship of terrorism. (n.d.). Wilson Center. https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/turning-blind-eye-passive-sponsorship-terrorism

What does it mean to sponsor terrorism? | Brookings. (2016, July 29). Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/what-does-it-mean-to-sponsor-terrorism/

CCJ6027: Case Study 2 – Online Terrorism

When it comes to terrorist groups, there are many strategies some implement. Just like any group they want to group, spread their message, have actionable events to prove their effectiveness. In this topic I will discuss how a group can commit online terrorism, some of the threats they will pose according to the article “The Metaverse and Terrorism: Threats and Challenges” written by Gabriel Weimann and Roy Dimant, and other key issues the reader should be aware about. Lets focus on a particular type of terrorist group that doesn’t get much coverage in media sources, domestic religious terrorism, in this case Christian religious groups. We have already learned that terrorism is when a group is deliberate in its use or threat of violence normally by non-state actors in order with the focus being to achieve political goals and that create a broad psychological impact in the population. (Jones, Doxsee, Suber, Hwang, Harrington, 2022) International is all over the world, domestic, is more localize to an area or country. But religious terrorism is when a group using their written dogma use violence in support of their faith-based belief system. Some examples of some faith based systems that engaged in religious terrorism are Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. (Jones, Doxsee, Suber, Hwang, Harrington, 2022) Sometimes religious terrorist groups will often have other ideologies mixed in like ethnonationalism which is when a group uses violence in support of ethnic their ethic group or nationalist goals, making the main focus the struggle(s) of self-determination and separatism along ethnic or nationalist lines, and usually this is at the expense of other ethnic groups. Another ideology you might see mixed into the religious terrorism is far right political ideologies too. (Jones, Doxsee, Suber, Hwang, Harrington, 2022)

“On June 7, for instance, Harry H. Rogers—a member of the Ku Klux Klan—intentionally drove his blue Chevrolet pick-up truck into a crowd of Black Lives Matter protesters, injuring one.26 Rogers was later convicted and sentenced to six years in prison.” (Jones, Doxsee, Suber, Hwang, Harrington, 2022) The Ku Klux Klan is a white supremacist separatist hate group that has a strong Christian base. One of their main symbols is “The Blood Drop Cross or Mystic Insignia of a Klansman is a white cross with a red tear drop at the center, symbolizes the atonement and sacrifice of Jesus Christ and those willing to die in his name.” (Holy Hate, 2018)

Another risk factor to be concerned about that Gabriel Weimann and Roy Dimant talk about is targets… who is the focus of their terrorism? When it comes to Christian identity, you will see at times the religious text used as a vehicle to justify targeting certain groups. “In this case with the Phineas Priest (originates in Vigilantes of Christendom: The Story of the Phineas Priesthood, a 1990 book by white supremacist Richard Kelly Hoskins), based off of Numbers 25:6 in the bible a reference to an Old Testament story in which an interfaith couple is slain by a Hebrew man named Phineas who is then rewarded by God. Someone who commits a “Phineas action,” by killing mixed raced or biracial couples was considered a good action. This same interpretation has been used by white supremacist to attacks on Jews, non-whites, multiculturalists and others seen as enemies.” (Phineas Priesthood, Southern Poverty Law Center)

Another risk factor to be concerned about that Gabriel Weimann and Roy Dimant discuss is coordinated attacks, this is were the militia groups come in. they tend to be strongly rooted in Judeo-Christian. These groups tend to be antigovernment, believe conspiracy theories mixed with bible verses specifically in Revelations claiming that the Anti-Christ is “a world leader that unites all nations under a one world government before being exposed as the agent of Satan, and that Jesus will battle the Anti-Christ before restoring his kingdom on earth. Citing the Bible they claim the creation of Communism, the establishment of the United Nations, and attacks against their Constitutional rights as “signs” or “evidence” that the Anti-Christ is actively working to create the “one world government” predicted in the Bible. These militia groups organize armed protest, harassing an terrorizing groups they deem a threat like Muslims, (Holy Hate, 2018) So naturally the Government, Communist (or communist countries), the United Nations, and anyone or things they view is threatening their rights is a target, which can even be political figures as well as law enforcement. “Even Violent anti-abortion extremists have used Biblical references to create divine edicts from God and Jesus Christ to kill others and destroy property.” (Holy Hate,2018)

One of the risk pointed out by Gabriel Weimann and Roy Dimant in “The Metaverse and Terrorism: Threats and Challenges” is that online terrorist groups use of spreading disinformation (also misinformation). This was the case with Qanonn, a conspiracy theory group that does use terrorism, was used as a vehicle to recruit Christians into extremism to commit violent acts . (Stanton, 2021) “Elizabeth Neumann, a former top official at the Department of Homeland Security who resigned from Trump administration in April 2020”, also states how dangerous Christian nationalism is the believers compare America to Jerusalem in the religious text they read called the Bible, where if certain acts are allowed, or not punished, and certain beliefs not instituted it spells doom for the country.(Stanton, 2021) It also doesn’t help that the leaders of these religious institutions play into the vulnerability of their believers embracing these conspiracy theories, like the ones we see in Qannon.
Another risk factor Gabriel Weimann and Roy Dimant point out is indoctrination and recruitment. It appears that Groups like Qannon were able to influence religious believers like Christians because of the conservativism, and authorities in their religious beliefs. That merger of love and faith to country and their religious belief, that level of devotion when you make it seem like those things are threatened, can convivence a lot of people to commit violent acts, to protect it even when there is no real threat. (Stanton, 2021)

The time of spreading misinformation, dogmatic material, and recruitment add via physical documents are over, now adays in 2024 these groups are using all the online tools and spaces. These can be anything from message boards, social media applications, forums, etc. No more do terrorist no matter who they are or where they are need to have boots on the ground when they can reach a potential future member in a video, website, or even an interactive game. Spreading their message this way saves time, keeps the harden members out of harms way, and is an effortless cost-effective way to advance their goals. Just like the example I gave with the Vigilantes of Christendom: The Story of the Phineas Priesthood book, this book can de digitized, and passed around online, quotes taken from it and used in social media post, and on video repeated as fact by politician’s, news anchors, and religious leaders. I would agree that the government in the United States is not doing a good job calling out what is taking place in regards to the religious terrorism an the groups associated in the country, they are not effectively labeling them as they occur. Ignoring this will not solve anything, down playing the seriousness and potential violence just put a lot of people in danger. These groups should of course be watched, and counter activity needs to take place in the form of mental health services, I would involve experts on cults and listen to the strategies proposed by misinformation and disinformation specialist, and reaching out to the religious leaders that have not been corrupted by groups like Qannon for example, they could be a voice of reason that might convince others on the fringe to step away from the edge before it goes too far.

References
Jones, S. G., Doxsee, C., Suber, J., Hwang, G., & Harrington, N. (2022). The war comes home: The evolution of domestic terrorism in the United States. https://www.csis.org/analysis/war-comes-home-evolution-domestic-terrorism-united-statesLinks to an external site.

Stanton, Zach. (2021, February). It’s time to talk about violent Christian Extremism – Politico. It’s Time to Talk About Violent Christian Extremism. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/02/04/qanon-christian-extremism-nationalism-violence-466034Links to an external site.

Holy Hate: the far right’s radicalization of religion. (n.d.). Southern Poverty Law Center. https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2018/holy-hate-far-right%E2%80%99s-radicalization-religionLinks to an external site.

Phineas Priesthood. (n.d.). Southern Poverty Law Center. https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/ideology/phineas-priesthood

CCJ6027: Book Review -They Want To Kill Americans

Malcom Nance an intelligence and foreign policy analyst, political pundit, commentator, and lecture whom has a Bachelor degree in Arabic, a thirty year military service within the United States Navy reaching the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer and he was a Naval Cryptologist, serving in various foreign countries. In 2001 he founded the Special Readiness Services International (SRSI) an intelligence support company. Malcom Nance has publish a plethora of groups books, about terrorism, terrorist organizations, and the effect domestically and internationally.

The book he wrote I wanted to focus on for this review is called They Want to Kill Americans: The Militias, Terrorists, and Deranged Ideology of the Trump Insurgency by Malcolm W. Nance. This book talks about radicalization in the United States and some groups that believe bizarre conspiracy theories, concerning fantasy of mass murdering, some which have planned violence or were successful in some of their actions. This heavily researched work, lays out in detail, how similar some of the tactics committed by these groups are to a lot of the terrorist organization he fought overseas from the mind of a counterterrorism intelligence professional.

I would agree the importance of this book is a call to action, and sounding an alarm on a concerning phenomenon that has been taking place in America, putting a magnifying glass on the danger an possibility of these groups destroying democracy, committing terrorist acts, that could damage infrastructure, cause division, and cost people their lives. I would agree that books like this are important because in the United States the Media, and government focus on international terrorism, and terrorist from other countries but not so much focus on the terrorism or even calling the person a terrorist when the individual is an American and not a Muslim, nor from a country that main religion is Islam. I would agree that this book came at the right time because of the current and recent events. Also extremely necessary to diversify the importance, seriousness, and focus on American National Security, I would agree that not giving the focus to these domestic terrorist organization deserve opens the door for them to operate unchecked for a long time. For students, books like this one will widen our knowledge so we are not so myopic on the propaganda that the only terrorist are Arab, or Muslim, and we couldn’t possibly have home grown terrorist in our own country. I have only read some parts of it when I got it a few years back but I might use it in my research paper for the course. I will read more of it if I decide to use it in my paper for class. But this book is written amazingly the author Malcom Nance is an exciting story teller that keeps you hooked, I really enjoyed how he incorporated his military experience in the various countries he served in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. The author shared how he was an instructor an how he trained future soldiers to fight insurgents, and the connections he was able to convey in the book on the terrorism overseas and how some of the actions of individuals and groups in America are similar in operation, motivation, and behavior.

References
They want to kill Americans: the militias, terrorists, and deranged ideology of the Trump insurgency: Nance, Malcolm. St. Martin’s Press (July 12, 2022)

https://docs.house.gov/meetings/JU/JU08/20210224/111227/HHRG-117-JU08-Bio-NanceM-20210224.pdfLinks to an external site.

They want to kill Americans: the militias, terrorists, and deranged ideology of the Trump insurgency: Nance, Malcolm: 9781250279002: Amazon.com: Books. (n.d.). https://www.amazon.com/They-Want-Kill-Americans-Terrorists/dp/1250279003/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1707070215&sr=8-1Links to an external site.

They want to kill Americans: the militias, terrorists, . . . (n.d.). Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59493278-they-want-to-kill-american

CCJ6027: Media Review – Proud Boys

Both the FBI, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti Defamation League consider the Proud Boys an extremist groups with ties to white nationalism and list their activity and those in their organization involvement in detail on their respective websites. According to the Federal Bureau of investigations Strategic Intelligence Assessment and Data on Domestic Terrorism for 2023, their definition of a domestic violent extremist is a person not influenced by a foreign power or group, that operation primary in the United States or its territories, that main goal is political or social through unlawful acts using force and/or violence that endangers human life.

In this article from the Federal Bureau of Investigation multiple Proud Boy members were involved in what would be considered a domestic terrorist event. Proud boys Joseph R. Biggs, Zachary Rehl, were sentenced for fifteen years or more having multiple felonies, seditious conspiracy and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding. The U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly applied the enhancement for a federal crime of terrorism which would demonstrate intimidation and coercion. ( Two leaders of the Proud Boys sentenced to prison on seditious conspiracy and other charges related to U.S. Capitol breach 2023) Proud Boys Leader Henry “Enrique” Tarrio was also sentenced for more than 20 years for Seditious conspiracy and other charges related to U.S. capitol breach. The U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly added an enhancement to His final sentence as we stating that he actions constituted an official act of terrorism. (Proud Boys leader sentenced to 22 years in prison for seditious conspiracy and other charges related to U.S. Capitol breach, 2023) Through evidence collected from electronic devices, cameras, and confessions prosecutors were able to prove in court the events that led up to January 6th 2021, the violence that took place, and how this group planned to commit their crimes. The purpose of these two articles was to inform the public of an ongoing investigation, and court proceedings, and providing a resolution as well as consequences to the acts committed.

I would agree that it is equally important to look into the supporters, enablers, and sympathizers of terrorist organizations, it can add context to how or why an event took place. As in with the January 6, 2021 capital riots and correspondence between Lt. Shane Lamond of the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Proud Boys leader Henry “Enrique” Tarrio and basically how even after this group was labeled an extremist hate group this officer of the law was aiding and helping this group commit violence by providing intelligence. Some might over look this because he also assisting in the arrest of the Proud Boy’s Leader right before January 6, 2021.(D.C. Police fed Proud Boys leader Info on Antifa, arrests: texts, 2023)

References
D.C. Police fed Proud Boys leader Info on Antifa, arrests: texts. (2023, February 16). Southern Poverty Law Center. https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2023/02/16/dc-police-fed-proud-boys-leader-info-antifa-arrests-textsLinks to an external site.

Proud Boys leader sentenced to 22 years in prison for seditious conspiracy and other charges related to U.S. Capitol breach. (2023, September 6). https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/proud-boys-leader-sentenced-22-years-prison-seditious-conspiracy-and-other-charges-related
Strategic Intelligence Assessment and Data on Domestic Terrorism – 2023. (2023, July 14). Federal Bureau of Investigation. https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/fbi-dhs-domestic-terrorism-strategic-report-2023.pdf/viewLinks to an external site.

Two leaders of the Proud Boys sentenced to prison on seditious conspiracy and other charges related to U.S. Capitol breach. (2023, August 31). https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/two-leaders-proud-boys-sentenced-prison-seditious-conspiracy-and-other-charges-related-us

CJE6688: Cybercrimes in 10 years?

I would say that as time goes on the response to cybercrimes will increase, as people find more ways to take advantage of people and commit using technology like computers. We have seen in these course how some will lose as loved one or coworkers using phishing, using sophisticated coding take personal information and/or prevent access to important data for a fee in hacking, and those that use legitimate sometimes private subsites to peddle child porn or other illegal material. I would agree out of all the different cybercrimes we have learned about I think we will see more legislation, and police response to the internet vigilantism, specially I am talking about the stochastic terrorism many have engaged in on social media that has caused a lot of harm, damaged and even death. To point to a more recent issued there are many individuals in the right wing political faction that have consistently engaged in lying, fear campaigns, and directly calling for action in the form of violence toward the LGBTQ community. I would agree that the legal system is not doing enough in regards to their response to the rhetoric of individuals for example like Libs of Tic Tok (Chaya Raichik ), Matt Walsh, and even Chris Tucker (from Fox News). There has been direct links to their rhetoric and some of the discrimination this community has experienced. We can also see this same behavior of stochastic terrorism toward African-Americans, those from Muslim countries, Asians, and Hispanics. I would agree as more organizations like media outlets and criminal justice outlets like the Federal Bureau of Investigations outwardly show the public these connections and the harm they cause like with the doctor and him killing the lion, as well as an appropriate response and intervention, we can move toward a better and safe online experience, and hopefully less discrimination toward minority groups.

If you would have caught me years ago I would have ben on board with removing these hate groups off of platforms, but as I got older I started to realize that it is hypocritical to say I am for free speech but yet here I am wanting to stop some one else’s speech. I am leaning more toward demonizing them, tagging their content for what it really is, and make people watch adds on their content that corrects their misinformation, then send their content to authorities to watch them and monitor them, because people be just telling it all on social media what they going to to do and how they are going to do it, that is information law enforcement could use to stop an attack.

CJE6688: Online Pursuit, Offline Violence

In the article Three Family Members Receive Life Sentences for Courthouse Murder Conspiracy from the Office of Public Affairs in the Department of Justice published February 2016 (https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/three-family-members-receive-life-sentences-courthouse-murder-conspiracy) This particular case is interesting, the only thing I didn’t like about the article is that it didn’t go into detail as to the specifics of what Lenore Matusiewicz and Amy Gonzalez did cyberstalking wise. I understand the article vaguely mention the Matusiewicz family did various acts of stalking via by mail, email, websites, Internet postings, etc. as well as false and defamatory allegations against the victim Christine Belford. But to better judge if the sentencing was appropriate we need to know specifically what each person did and how it placed a role in the victims death. The only one that was specific was the Father Thomas because he shot the victim and the person that was accompanying them to court. But I don’t disagree with the sentencing, if you are involved in making someone life miserable and it results in them taking their life or someone else taking their life you should be held accountable for your role. it appears this started as a disagreement between a husband and wife over custody of the children, and I wouldn’t disagree their were probably not so nice things said by both, but what made it get out of control is when family got involved and started making it personal and taking things too far. No matter how much you don’t like someone should never let things get so heated you are corresponding back an forth with threats, making up lies about the persons, and making plans to harm them. If you even start thinking about doing any of that that person should see a therapist.

I disagree that those that are victims of cyberstalking can just turn their devices off, or stop using a software application, or even some of them have feature where you can block the person, none of this would stop someone that is hyper focused on messing with you. I say this because the stalker could start targeting the victims’ family and friends, adding new victims to the equation, the stalker could increase the intensity and tactics used, do more things in person, start leaving items at the victims work and/or home. Victimization doesn’t stop just because someone doesn’t have a phone or internet, the stalker will just change strategies, and find other ways, the internet and social media just make it easier to target someone but that is by no means the only way.

I would agree that the criminal justice system should take cyberstalking serious, because of how it can escalate, and how it can involve so many people that weren’t directly involved from the beginning, it can also lead to someone’s death, so the most be proactive. I would suggest a detailed investigation, looking into both the victim and perpetrators life, friends, family, and applications they use, and therapeutic and mental health services should be provided to both the victim(s) and stalker(s). Of course the stalkers should have consequences as in time incarceration and people should should know they did this act, but they also need help too so when they get out they hopefully don’t engage in this type of behavior again.

CJE6688: Interpersonal Cybercrime

Interpersonal cyber crime is alittle bit different than the frauds and scams we learned about. For the most part I would agree that personal information isnt obtained to get a monetary gain in this case it is to embrass, shame, gain the attention and/or affection of the victim for personal graftification.

Some would wonder why would someone bully or try to coroce and victims but not gain any money from it? In Cyberbullying Research Summary by Hinduja nd Patchin they briefly talk about strain theory, which dives into the family life and other external factors playing a role in he deviant behavior of the cyber bullies and their victims as well as their emotions.

In Just Being Mean to Somebody Isn’t a Police Matter’: Police Perspectives on Policing Cyberbullying, it wasnt shocking that many law enforcement did feel like getting invovled with disagreements between children. But I would agree that there needs to be sensitivity traning for them as well as specialist that deal with children need to be invovled in the training as well. The connection needs to be made between the children the bullying so far as the the words, threats, images and video, because it seems harmless now but after a while people always escalate and that will lead to physcial violence and possible suicide.

We have to identify this lack of empathy in the children, the children need to know they are safe in their environment. Both parents and children need to be able to identity the clear signs of someone being bullied and the necessary steps to help them over come the situation. But it is important to have clear definitions so everyone can distinguish what is taking place, how these situations affect everyone, so we know how to properly resolve the anger, and frustration, and depression. We also cant deny as well that the bullies may also be mistreated at home or bullied themselves, this is where mental health evaluations come in, and well as looking into the personal lives of all involved and their family. Just like when it comes to video games , social media, fantasy board games, etc. people use as an escape from reality. I would agree its okay when you just looking to it for entertainment or unwind from a busy day at work, but can see it as being harmful when people use it to harm others, or to avoid not dealing with their problems. I would agree that both adults and children can be taught balance and healthy coping mechanism so it doesn’t turn into toxicity or an addiction, or just a worst a means to harm others.

References
Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. (2009). Cyberbullying research summary:
Emotional and Psychological Consequences. Cyberbullying Research Center. Retrieved [insert date], from https://cyberbullying.org/cyberbullying_emotional_consequences.pdf

Broll, Ryan, and Laura Huey. “‘Just Being Mean to Somebody Isn’t a Police Matter’: Police Perspectives on Policing Cyberbullying.” Journal of school violence 14.2 (2015): 155–176. Web.

CJE6688: Cyberbullying

I would agree the most appropriate thing law enforcement that work at a school can do is invesigate allegations of bullying and cyber bullying. I do see the benefit of officers teaching the children the negative consequences so far as incarcration in a juvenile detention center, the negative impact on the community, and how their own lives as well their families lives can be ruined if they engage in it. But I would say the more detailed psychology, emotional, behavioral, and preventative measures should invovle the school counselor with other specialist in adolescent behavior should address this.

I know we all think including myself by not allowing the children to have electronic devices in school would solve the problem but it will not. Schools of course need to have a zero tolorance for bullying and cyber bullying, removing those engaging in this behavior but must incorporate social emotional learning early and often, teaching the children coping mechanism, and positve reinforcement on behaviors that encourage support, unity, encouragementn etc. Even with those events that a lot of times happen off school property invovling the parents as much as possible should be engaged no matter the location of the bullying, and I would agree sometimes the parents need to be taught and educated as well. For example you cant expect a parent that doesnt understand the complexcity of thier child being trans or bisexual to be sensitve and supportive espeiclly if they have biased and/or bigoted views, but once they are educated, and have support from experts in these fields hopefully that can change.

I think we can appreciate that law makers have finally started addressing bullying rather it is virtual or in the classroom. But it definitely does not go far enough. The teacher need more resources and support as well as smaller class sizes to manage so many personalities. Parents should also be held accountable as well. Currently schools are having issues with the AI and deepfakes being used against females which there are no current laws at least to address it in schools. We should not be waiting for a kid to die or for many children to commit suicide before this issue is addressed. Law enforcement, law makers, as well as schools should be proactive in detecting, addressing and if possible preventing the acceptance and tolerability of bullying as well as cyberbullying.

CJE 6688: Biggest Cybercrime in US History – Emerging Issues