The general understanding of a radical is that they seek change in some form, be it good or bad. An extremist exists outside of society, standing on their own or with like-minded individuals that see themselves apart from whatever society they have chosen to depart. Radical extremists are typically those who believe that their way is that which must be followed. Anyone that dares to disagree with them tends to become an instant enemy, and a potential victim. Through threats and acts of violence radical extremists have caused the loss of freedoms and liberties that many citizens have taken for granted.
Throughout the history each civilization each country has seen the rise and fall of many radical extremists. A few have come with good intentions, but others have obviously been bent on simply breaking up the established order of a society. There is always a set goal for those who practice extremism, even when it does not seem to make sense to others. Many however have cited that they are either holy crusaders or in some other capacity serving God by eliminating their enemies.
Prime examples of radical extremists would be the groups known as al-Qaeda, ISIS, the
Aryan Nations, the Ku Klux Klan, the Boko Haram, the Puerto Rican National Liberation, and
even the Shabab out of Africa, who routinely make it their mission to kill any who oppose their
ways. In their eyes they are serving as martyrs to the teachings of God and their people in a
manner that allows for no other translation or point of view (Husain, 2013). Religious literalism
has effectively cemented the belief that God’s law is the only one that should be followed and
that those who follow the laws of men shall be punished according to the edicts handed down by
God. To those who practice such hateful methods the killing of those who do not follow their
ways is just another task in the quest to spread their group-specific message and the tenets of
each faction throughout the world.
The manner in which each group managed to spread its message was no doubt what led many worldwide leaders and the general public to call for their heads. It was also what caused a general outcry against any and all Muslims that were not connected with such a level of extremism, creating a paranoia-driven frenzy that essentially made both al-Qaeda and ISIS not unlike the new and more terrifying boogeyman (Storyline, 2014). While not as high on the radar as targets such as those in the Middle East, other organizations are just as closely watched and monitored to determine their overall threat to the security of America. While other factions are just as dangerous, they do not demand as much attention as the more high-profile extremists that go to greater lengths to make their beliefs known.
Owing to the already widespread extremist teachings of Islam that have been spread throughout the world to Muslims and converts alike, the teachings of ISIS and al-Qaeda before it have become a rallying cry to strike against their perceived enemies. Unlike a conventional military force however such extremists have found other methods by which to strike, seeking to maximize their effect upon western civilization. The Shabab, while not an overt threat like their fellows in the Middle East, are still dangerous enough that they must be carefully observed and considered a viable threat. In the past there have been instances in which the USA and other countries have done what they felt was necessary during times of war, and a result animosity was allowed to grow and eventually fan into a flame of absolute hatred.
Groups such as the Boko Haram, Shabab, and Puerto Rican Liberation National
Liberation are known terrorist groups. However, while they fight for their religion and to combat
what is seen as a morally corrupt opponent, they are also seen to be somewhat less zealous than
those who have garnered such media attention. Be it financial issues or weaker methods of
indoctrination, such groups are considered a danger but on a much lesser scale. The threat they posed is negligible in relation to that of other groups, and even those that form on American soil.
There is no doubt that radical extremists are taught to hate their enemy, to think of them
in terms not as people but as enemies of their culture and thereby a threat to their way of existence. It is ironic then that those who seek to fight against groups such as ISIS can be just as
bigoted and capable of widespread violence. Terrible acts have been committed during war, and
many more are likely to come before the end of the current conflicts that emerge, but overall the
root of the problem is the absolute and utter hatred that each side has for each other. The USA
and other countries attempt to avoid discrimination of Muslims based upon what ISIS has
become guilty of, though the acts that are committed again and again by those Muslims that have
made their way into America only to stage attacks on the word of their superiors has made it
more than difficult for anyone to offer trust or goodwill.
Policing the threat has thus far led only to widespread paranoia and the general loss of freedoms as the world has become a very untrusting place after the escalation of not only 9/11 but the events leading up to and preceding that horrifying event. America has been on high alert since that time, casting a shadow of doubt upon any Muslim or convert to Islam that steps within the country. It is a state of paranoia that is confusing in that it is not a healthy practice to uphold but still remains one of the only true defenses against a dangerous enemy that might strike at any moment.
Worse than this, the propaganda spread by such groups often touches the hearts and
minds of individuals who are in agreement with the tenets of ISIS and those like them. This can
be evidenced by such domestic attacks as that which happened in 2015 in Chattanooga,
Tennessee, when an individual shooter was responsible for the deaths of four U.S. Marines and
one sailor (Sanchez, Lister, Bixler, O’Key, Hogenmiller, Tawfeeq, 2016). Unfortunately this has been the trend when it comes to ISIS and its influence in America, as those who are either smuggled in somehow or converted end up becoming the tools of the enemy, undetectable and unknown until they strike. The truly horrifying part is that of those who attack in the name of terrorist groups, it is not always known who they represent.
At one point and time radical extremists were supposedly easy to spot according to
popular cinema, propaganda, and even popular opinion. They didn’t fit in somehow or in some
crucial way, they stood out from the crowd, and they even took pains to avoid being seen in the
same vicinity as certain groups. This was the fantasy of the terrorist that they would stand out to
the general public in all their awkwardness. The truth is that in this day and age terrorists aren’t
terrorists are often homegrown and just as normal as those around them (Josh, 2016).
Extremists typically know no boundaries when the matter of raising the bar comes into play. When their enemies come upon a method of discovering their movements and manage to halt their progress for however little time, they change tactics and become even more dangerous (Watson, 2002). The very idea of a radical extremist is to think outside the box while still holding to their beliefs and ideals, finding a way to justify what they are doing by using what they see as right to justify their actions. In terms of groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS they are adhering to the strict, literal word of God, and are seeking to eradicate all enemies of Islam to lessen the threat to their beliefs. There is no thought to right or wrong when belief is concerned, only that the edicts they follow are recognized and obeyed.
The most dangerous individual in any fight is a martyr, as they will throw themselves at
the enemy without thought of their own safety or even survival. Their intent is to take as many of
the enemy as they can, to weaken the enemy and their resolve. Unfortunately in the case of radical extremists in this age it is working in part. No matter how many are captured, how many are slain, and how their holy message is debunked, more and more likeminded individuals appear. Unfortunately the scope of global events no single country is without sin when considering what might have caused such hatred towards those that said extremists have targeted.
Disregarding the back and forth argument of who did what to whom and when, the very
real danger of homegrown extremists has only worsened within the last several years. Efforts to
halt the advance of terrorism on American soil has extended from the airports following 9/11 to
increased security checks at various government offices, businesses, and even workplaces
depending upon the sensitivity of what said businesses produce. Unfortunately extremists, living
up to their moniker perhaps, have virtually no limits that they will not exceed in the process of
weakening their enemies. For a time after 9/11, after the initial shock of the act began to settle, Americans began to experience the effects of paranoia brought on by the tragedy. Trust was in short supply then, and has been recovered only in minimal amounts since then.
It is a difficult matter of how to locate and deal with extremists. In one regard there have been many documented accounts of jihadists and other terrorists who were discovered and held for a short amount of time. These individuals were in some cases let go as they were not considered to be as important as other individuals that were being sought. While this seems rather foolish in retrospect it is a judgment decision upon the moment of capture that leads into discussion over whether to let the lesser extremists go in favor catching the leaders and truly dangerous individuals. The only problem is that this can lead to the lesser extremists becoming a very serious threat later on.
The major issue caused within the global effort to root out extremists comes from the
lack of proper communication between factions, as between the intelligence agencies and their criminal investigations (Schwartz, 2015). When one group doesn’t know what the other group is doing it can cause a massive amount of confusion that makes for very large mistakes. To date the gathering of metadata has all but erased that problem, but it has also had another effect. Thanks to the NSA and the Patriot Act the privacy of the average citizen is virtually nonexistent. Phone calls, internet searches, and correspondence of all types are now gathered to assess any perceived or actual threat to the USA and any other affected countries (Schwartz, 2015).
Going back to the point of homegrown extremists it is fair to state that those who have
devout as those they follow. Many would claim that they do not care for the manner of policy
that America has initiated in the Middle East, or the seemingly unfair persecution of known
extremists upon American soil, but this would be only an excuse. Those who are classified as homegrown extremists are typically classified as unstable, mentally disturbed, or otherwise impressionable in a manner that allows for the words and beliefs of others to easily sway them.
Even more concerning than this are that groups such as the Aryan Nations, who have been in decline for over a decade but are still very much a threat to be considered. Homegrown terrorists who favor extremism over conformity, these varied groups have sought to spread their own brand of hatred and vitriol throughout America in a much different fashion from their Middle Eastern counterparts, but to the same effect. Their message is just as clear cut and uncompromising as any other extremist group, and makes them just as dangerous in that they have learned how to recruit via internet resources.
Yet another group that has shown incredible resilience throughout the years, more so than
others, is the Ku Klux Klan, an organization dating back to the late 19th century. Formed to
oppose and harass newly freed African American slaves, the Klan took offense to anyone who was not white, and enforced their rule and law upon their victims according to how they interpreted God’s law and how it related to their society. In effect they were targeting their own fellow Americans no matter the epithets and slurs that were hurled against their victims. This made them among the first documented homegrown terrorists in America, and has left a lasting impression on history.
While not all radical extremists are Muslim, or affiliated with ISIS, or even bigoted and dangerous to their own people such as the Ku Klux Klan, they are equally dangerous in that they could very well be anyone. Despite the fact that extremists typically stand out thanks to their beliefs and attitudes towards societal norms that are different from their own, they have devised methods by which to infiltrate their desired target locations. Like the Russian sleeper agents that were so prominently spoken of long ago, terrorist in this modern age have devised ways to blend into the crowd, becoming a part of their community until it is time to strike. This practice makes identifying and finding them even more difficult than before.
The upside is that as clever as the extremists become, those seeking them are learning
their tricks and how to work past them so as to eliminate as many threats as possible. The cost
for this is quite high, but the payback comes in the form of lives saved and a society protected
proves, and they continue to be a direct threat as time progresses. Their dogged adherence to
their own beliefs and edicts makes them a much more dangerous enemy as they will not stop and
will continue to spread their influence and terror worldwide. In America though they have found
a very willing and able enemy, and one that will go just as far to protect its citizens.
References
Husain, E. (2013). A Global Venture to Counter Violent Extremism. Council on Foreign
Relations. Retrieved from
http://www.cfr.org/radicalization-and-extremism/global-venture-counter-violent-extremism/p30494
Josh. (2016). The Very Real Threat Of Home-Grown Radical Extremism. Funker.
Retrieved from
https://www.funker530.com/the-very-real-threat-of-home-grown-radical-extremism/
Sanchez, R. et al. (2016). ISIS goes global: 90 attacks in 21 countries have killed nearly 1,400
people. CNN. Retrieved from
http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/17/world/mapping-isis-attacks-around-the-world/
Schwartz, M. (2015). The Whole Haystack. The New Yorker. Retrieved from
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/01/26/whole-haystack
Storyline. (2014). ISIS: “Islamic” Extremism? Top Documentary Films. Retrieved from
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/isis-islamic-extremism/
Watson, D.L. (2002). Testimony. FBI. Retrieved from
https://www.fbi.gov/news/testimony/the-terrorist-threat-confronting-the-united-states
