HLSS154 Final

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1 Final Assignment Brendan J. Cawthon American Public University System HLSS154 Mind of a Terrorist Professor Matthew Stork October 29, 2023
2 Intro In some way or another terrorism, extremists, or radicalized individuals have made an impact on our lives in some fashion. Whether it was directly from the attacks on September 11, 2001, losing a loved one to a separate attack, or losing a loved one due to the war on terrorism. In this paper, not necessarily how they communicate, plan and execute attacks, but how these groups come to be in the first place and how individuals become radicalized. Through various recruiting methods that have only become easier with time and the development of technology, in order to combat this process we must have an understanding of how they operate. On the other hand, when people are searching for a way out the difficult process of disengagement will be discussed and the steps involved for someone to decide to leave the group, as well as the steps involved in reinventing themselves and becoming a functioning member of society. Recruiting Terrorist organizations have recruited in a variety of ways throughout the years and have determined what they must do in order to be successful. With the introduction of technology, the reach available to these organizations is far and wide but even without technology they have been very successful in recruiting. The first model of recruitment used is called “The Net.” The net is essentially a recruiter trapping a group of individuals. By targeting a like population in a small group they are able to be more successful in positive turnover. In any given group you may have people that resist and some that respond well. The success rate varies between groups but has been an effective method of recruiting in a Mosque for example. A group of people with similar religious beliefs and recruiters will leverage this to get their point across and achieve success. The second model of recruitment is known as “The Funnel.” The funnel is considered to be some sort of proving ground. In order for this to be effective there already has to be some sort
3 of interest to begin with and recruits must navigate their way through tasks, training and other exercises to prove their worth to the organization. The next model of recruitment is “The Infection.” Infection is a form of infiltration into a group. The “Agent” enters the population with the goal of converting at least one person. From there the people that have been “infected” do the work for them. In somewhat of a chain reaction the beliefs spread across the group for those that respond. There will always be targets that resist but it is a very effective method of recruiting because all you need is one person to convert, and that person can recruit three more and so on. “The Seed Crystal” is the final method of recruitment and has been made much easier with the development of technology and communication. The seed crystal happens in a remote environment where one person in a community develops their belief system that aligns with an extremist organization. Once that person has converted themselves and their beliefs they begin to recruit from within on their own accord. This is a less common occurrence in the past given technology wasn’t always available to reach remote communities. Considering the person recruited has friends and family around them, they are easily recruited and converted by the seed crystal that they have built a trust with. There are many methods of recruiting in use constantly but these seem to be the most effective, as well as the most studied. Disengagement The opposite process is just as difficult and can be considered to be much more lengthy. Disengagement requires everything you’ve learned to become a part of this terrorist organization must be wiped from your beliefs in any way, shape, or form. Many factors are involved in the decision to disengage including, disillusionment with strategy, disillusionment with leaders, disillusionment with members, disillusionment with tasks, loss of faith in ideology, burnout, fear of being caught, fear of becoming a victim, and difficulty with lifestyle. The process of
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