Since the 9/11 attacks, the United States has suffered dozens of other attacks that have left many dead and others wounded. While foreign terrorist networks are to blame for some of these attacks, domestic terrorists are behind a significant number of the attacks. Such law enforcement agencies as the FBI have redoubled their efforts to combat domestic terrorism. Thanks to these efforts, the US has been able to thwart a number of attacks.
Winning strategies
An attack that took place in 2016 at Ohio State University is among the successful attacks that domestic terrorists have carried out. Abdul Razak Ali Artan ran over pedestrians. He then got out of the car and attacked the victims using a knife (Inserra, 2016). It was later revealed that Artan had obtained inspiration from the Islamic State. The method that he used is rather new. Terrorists often use such weapons as guns and bombs. With it is relatively new, Artan’s method has been used before. A terrorist ran over pedestrians in Nice using a lorry. This attack left over 80 people dead.
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Losing strategies
Not all domestic terrorist attacks have been successful. Law enforcement agencies have been able to foil some. In 2015, it emerged that the FBI had thwarted a terror plot in which Emmanuel Lutchman had planned to carry out an attack on New Year’s Eve in New York (Jackson, 2015). It was further revealed that Lutchman had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. This is indication that even as they carry out attacks as lone wolves, domestic terrorists still draw inspiration from foreign terrorist networks.
Objectives and reasons for outcomes
Spreading the campaign of hate and destruction that the Islamic State stands for appears to be the main objective of the two attackers discussed above. Reports indicate that Artan received instructions from the Islamic State to run over pedestrians (Inserra, 2016). These reports suggest that Artan was part of Islamic State’s effort to destabilize the US. The same objective seems to be what Lutchman sought to pursue. The two attacks provide lessons for law enforcement in the US. It is important to examine the difference in the outcomes. Artan was successful because it is difficult to monitor the activities of terrorists who plan to use new and novel methods like running over pedestrians. On the other hand, Lutchman was nabbed after it was determined that he had purchased huge supplies at a Walmart outlet (Jackson, 2015). It is much easier for law enforcement agencies to keep track of terrorists who use traditional methods.
In conclusion, domestic terrorism remains a threat for the US. Home grown terrorists are devising new methods for carrying out attacks. This makes it more difficult to track their activities. The example of Artan sheds light on how domestic terrorism is evolving. There is need for law enforcement agencies to revamp their techniques and keep up with the evolution of domestic terrorism.
References
Inserra, D. (2016). Attack at Ohio State Brings US Terror Plots, Attacks to 93 since 9/11. Retrieved 19th July 2017 from http://dailysignal.com/2016/11/30/attack-at-ohio-state-brings-us-terror-plots-attacks-to-93-since-911/
Jackson, M. (2015). FBI Foils New Year’s Terror Plot in Rochester, N.Y. Retrieved 19th July 2017 from https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2015/1231/FBI-foils-New-Year-s-terror-plot-in-Rochester-N.Y
