Lone Wolves in Perspective Posted by James Lamond

The arrest of a Rezwan Ferdaus, a 26 year old Massachusetts man has once again brought the scary term “lone wolf” back into the news. Ferdaus, a graduate of Northeastern University in phyiscs was plotting to make to fly homemade “drones” made from remote-control model airplanes packed with five pounds of explosives into the Pentagon and Capital building. He was  caught by FBI agents  posing as members of al Qaeda. As Eli Lake writes this case, “gives a rare glimpse into how the government has been focusing on the threat of lone wolves and homegrown terrorists in the United States.”

Plots by lone wolfs are inherently difficult to disrupt. Suspects with no training, record, or communication with outside groups are difficult to identify. Eli quotes analyst Daveed Gartenstein-Ross in his story, saying “It is very hard to stop a lone-wolf attack once it is in progress. That’s the reason that the FBI has been making use of sting operations such as this in order to try to disrupt attacks before they begin.” 

It is certainly true that these sort of attacks are less likely to pop up on a radar making them more difficult to see and prevent. However in the media, it often takes on a sort of mystical appeal, as an unstoppable force.

Last week Stratfor’s Scott Stewart released a primer on the history of the lone wolf phenomenon across the ideological spectrum and a breakdown of the threat potential. He writes:

The lone-wolf threat is nothing new, but it has received a great deal of press coverage in recent months, and with that press coverage has come a certain degree of hype based on the threat’s mystique. However, when one looks closely at the history of solitary terrorists, it becomes apparent that there is a significant gap between lone-wolf theory and lone-wolf practice. An examination of this gap is very helpful in placing the lone-wolf threat in the proper context… 

… On its face, as described by strategists such as Beam and al-Suri, the leaderless-resistance theory is tactically sound. By operating as lone wolves or small, insulated cells, operatives can increase their operational security and make it more difficult for law enforcement and intelligence agencies to identify them. As seen by examples such as Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hassan and Roshonara Choudhry, who stabbed British lawmaker Stephen Timms with a kitchen knife in May 2010, such attacks can create a significant impact with very little cost.

Lone wolves and small cells do indeed present unique challenges, but history has shown that it is very difficult to put the lone-wolf theory into practice. For every Eric Rudolph, Nidal Hasan and Anders Breivik there are scores of half-baked lone-wolf wannabes who either botch their operations or are uncovered before they can launch an attack.

It is a rare individual who possesses the requisite combination of will, discipline, adaptability, resourcefulness and technical skill to make the leap from theory to practice and become a successful lone wolf. Immaturity, impatience and incompetence are frequently the bane of failed lone-wolf operators, who also frequently lack a realistic assessment of their capabilities and tend to attempt attacks that are far too complex. When they try to do something spectacular they frequently achieve little or nothing.

… When we set aside the mystique of the lone wolf and look at the reality of the phenomenon, we can see that the threat is often far less daunting in fact than in theory. 

Perhaps the most important lesson that Stewart finds from this brief history of the lone wolves, is that when “a group promotes leaderless resistance as an operational model it is a sign of failure rather than strength.” But this is often not the perspective in which the threat is presented in the media. And public officials do not always help. For example, back in February Secretary Napolitano described the changing threat from large-scale 9/11-style plots to the smaller-bore lone wolves threat, stating that, “The terrorist threat to the homeland is, in many ways, at its most heightened state since 9/11.” While it is probably true that a successful, if less ambitious, attack is increasingly likely to occur, these sort of statements miss the larger perspective. 

This is not meant to say that a lone wolf terrorist is not a threat. We have clearly seen that this is a tactic adopted AQAP. And officials should remain vigilant and citizens alert. However, it is also important to keep in mind a historical perspective that this is a move made by weakened organizations that has had little success through history. 

Comments

[LED street light]

Lonely, is what kind of a person? His temperament and whether as a lone Wolf?

[essays online]

Good this is really nice!thnks!

[Pai You Guo]

haha...but it's very a nice article,thanks for your sharing.

[DVD Replication]

I am not sure that you guys have understand the concept of this article or not !

[writing jobs]

Great article. I like it.

[joomla templates]

Very actual information for me! Thanks alot!

[Y8]

Writing practice would have been a nice follow-up wishes to you I hope I am constantly reading the posts, Thanks again

[jerseys]

so lucky to read your post, i will read your post time to time,thank you!

[essay topics]

Thanks for the nice post. It is very useful for me.

[jeux de roulette]

Good ! Thanks for this new :)

[moncler jackets]

The blog article very surprised to me! Your writing is good

[Perth Internet Marketing]

So much of the news are being blown out of proportion by the media and why wouldn't they since events like 9/11 strike a very strong emotional cord and it's tempting to associate things like what could be considered "lone wolf" threats.

[Melbourne Internet Marketing]

Well, it just takes one successful attempt by these lone wolves to change the world like what triggered WW2. Put in historical perspective, true, but sometimes is wrong to underestimate history.

[corporate road solutions 24 7]

I can get so many information from your beautiful Article.Its about the press coverage.I like to read your whole note.

[cheap canada goose]

I agree with you. This post is truly inspiring. I love all your articles and share with usthe latest, very rich, I would like to bookmark the page so that I can come here again to see you, you have done a wonderful job

[wholesale chi flat iron]

When I use my search engine to look for blogs to read yours has come up several times on different categories. That just made me want to read it more, I can see why. It is excellent. Keep up the awesome work and I will continue reading.

[Steelers Jerseys]

The article is very good, I like it very much.Here I learned a lot, then I will pay more attention to you.

[rosetta stone]

When I use my search engine to look for blogs to read yours has come up several times on different categories. That just made me want to read it more, I can see why. It is excellent.

[cheap ugg]

Preferably, when you gain knowledge, are you able to mind updating your website with an increase of information? It is very ideal for me.

[term paper]

great! really interesting!

[flexible circuits]

Yes, This is not meant to say that a lone wolf terrorist is not a threat. We have clearly seen that this is a tactic adopted AQAP.

[sesli]

This is not meant to say that a lone wolf terrorist is not a threat. We have clearly seen that this is a tactic adopted AQAP. And officials should remain vigilant and citizens alert. However, it is also important to keep in mind a historical perspective that this is a move made by weakened organizations that has had little success through history.

seslichat seslisohbet güncel haberler fragman izle

[mac makeup]

An understanding, a rise, a very good guide can certainly make a man or woman to raise that quality, thanks for your time designed for writing, Most definitely i'll with care investigate the products to help make by themself full!

[Soccer Jerseys]

very happy to read your blog.Thank you for sharing this article.It is great!
Thanks for sharing this nice post.I will keep your article in my idea.

[rolex daytona]

In this excerpt, although watch out of ten is one of many watches only the tip of the iceberg, is different ........ Make sure you buy your watch from a well-known dealer to ensure that you are not being ripped off. It helps if they have an address or a store that you can visit, should you have any issues with your purchase. You can often easily check their address using Google Maps street view to see if their shop is where they say it is.

[Skytop 3]

that you are not being ripped off. It helps if they have an address or a store that you can visit, should you have any issues

[louis vuitton handbags on sale]

your opinion is right! I support you! I will let my friends to read!

[hermes handbags on sale]

I support you! I will let my friends to read!

[best replica watches]

I certainly feel Russia, China, and others should take a firmer stance toward Iran -- though China did recently back out of an important energy infrastructure investment there, in an undernoticed move -- but being rashly confrontational with them isn't going to get their help in confronting Iran.

[Northface outlet]

As Eli Lake writes this case, “gives a rare glimpse into how the government has been focusing on the threat of lone wolves and homegrown terrorists in the United States.”

[replica wallets]

I like your article so that I read all of your articles in a day.Please continue and keep on writing excellent posts.

[Jeu de rami]

Wolves are magnificent animals. Leave wolves alone.

[active pharmaceutical ingredient]

Birla Corporation to put in place a Coal Mining Equipment plant 0.96 tap in Rahurajnagar Tensile in Satan district of Madhya Pradesh.

[active pharmaceutical ingredient]

Aluminum is usually a hard metal that will be most efficiently recycled which has a can crusher so that it can break everything straight down properly.

[ugg boots]

It is nice to know this. Thanks for the time and effort. It is well appreciated. More to come.Good share,you article very great, very usefull for us…thank you

[Jian]

Face setbacks, with the courage to overcome setbacks this is the end of failure, also will be the starting point of the brilliant. Both individuals and the whole nation, and tell them: "the rainbow, inevitable indicates the brilliant tomorrow." Friends, with smiles face frustrate!!!!

[ffxiv gil]

Hello!I am glad to here, Good Site! Thanks you!

[knock off handbags]

Thank you very much for you perfect and useful post .it's really valuable

[هوت سبوت شيلد]

many ways, at its most heightened state since 9/11.” While it is probably true that a successful, if less ambitious, attack is increasingly likely to occur, these sort of statements miss the larger perspective.

This is not meant to say that a lone

[dr dre beats headphones]

Obama, since his first day in office - has been actively trying to restore US engagement and influence in Asia, especially in Southeast Asia

[Clay Matthews Jersey]

This is all very new to me and this article really opened my eyes.Thanks for sharing with us your wisdom

[replica louis vuitton handbags]

Great job! Keep working! useful post, thank you

[die steel]

Good stuff as per usual, thanks. I do hope this kind of thing gets more exposure.

[アグ]

【my-lady.jp】のアグ ブーツはキッズも、レディースも、メンズもよくぴったり新作はいよい よ入荷中...UGG ムートンブーツ,UGG ブーツは通販激安ing…phoenixzon.com

[モンクレール]

rakanet.comモンクレール 新作 2011 登場，当サイトMonclers.jpが激安な価格で男女共に人気のジャケットなどを販売しておりますジャケット通販激安，それに品質もよい、ご来店をお待ちしております

[moncler]

モンクレール通販の専門店モンクレール販売店です。品質が完璧、値段が激安、いろんなサイズが揃って、最も多様な選択空間を提供いたしており、お客様に気楽なショッピングを享受させるだけでなく、より美しく暖かい冬を過ごせます。Monclermaya.jp

[モンクレール ダウン]

楽しめる！Monclerxx.comは最新UGG、クリスチャンルブタン、モンクレール等を通販専門サイトです．豊富な品揃え格安価格で販売しています．

[アグブーツ]

ugg Australia2011最新作、最高品質、激安のUGGブーツ販売店舗です。50％ 割り引きしました。主なレディースuggクラシックアグブーツを販売しています。UGGブーツは冬の必要荷物、私たちはUGG激安、人気なUGGアグブーツを提供するugg正規品店舗。Jpgoodsugg.com

[モンクレール ダウン]

Moncler/モンクレールダウン新作を激安通販中です。モンクレール ダウン等今年秋冬日本未発売の商品が多数販売中.全国送料無料！Monclercit.com

[モンクレール]

モンクレール 新作 2011 登場，当サイトMonclerss.netが激安な価格で男女共に人気のジャケットなどを販売しておりますジャケット通販激安，それに品質もよい、ご来店をお待ちしております

[モンクレール]

モンクレール ダウン 新作 2012 登場,当サイトFashionsmonclers.comが激安な価格で男女共に 人気の ジャケットなどを販売しておりますジャケット通販激安，それに品質もよい、ご 来店を お待ちしております.モンクレール人気激安通販専門サイト!

[モンクレール]

Moncler専門店モンクレール販売店です。moncler(モンクレール)品質が 完璧、値段が激安で提供いたします、より美しく暖かい冬を過ごせます。Moncler-s.com

[アグ]

ugg(アグ)ブーツ専門店UGGブーツ販売店です。ugg、UGGブーツ、アグブーツ品質が 完璧、値段が激安で提供いたします、より美しく暖かい冬を過ごせます。Shineugg.com

[Snapback Hats]

Suspects with no training, record, or communication with outside groups are difficult to identify.

[snapbacks cheap]

Wonderful journey and experience!

[duvet covers]

great article and well blog

[Nike Heels]

This is all very new to me and this article really opened my eyes.Thanks for sharing with us your wisdom.

[superpower]

It is imperative that we read blog post very carefully. I am already done it and find that this post is really amazing. data recovery

[Hemorrhoid Treatment]

Its a great pleasure reading your post.Its full of information I am looking for and I love to post a comment that "The content of your post is awesome" Great work.

[find jobs]

It is imperative that we read blog post very carefully. I am already done it and find that this post is really amazing.

[car games]

Thanks a lot for sharing us about this update. Hope you will not get tired on making posts as informative as this.

[fleur de lis earrings]

Valuable information and design you have here! I would like to think you for sharing your thoughts and time into your comments! Thumbs Up !