Countering Internet Extremism
Abstract
Unless the United States crafts a strategy that stymies long-term ideological radicalization among large numbers of Muslim youth, America's "long war" against terrorism is likely to be just that. Extremists' use of the Internet has developed rapidly since the Chechen-Russian conflict. Now they are more creative, and more importantly, more persuasive in their methods to recruit members, gain financial support, and provide proof of success. The extremists' task has been made easier since coalition forces are stationed in countries where their understanding of culture and the means of spreading information is less informed. Extremists, on the other hand, tap into both culture and media methods, Extremists have demonstrated their military capabilities online (their use of video to demonstrate the effectiveness of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and sniper attacks against coalition forces come to mind) and have used clerics and imams to justify their actions to the Arab world. Internet videos, postings on You Tube, recruiting on My Space, and other such methods have been effective. Recruiters even hand out CDs and DVDs of key speeches and events, at low or no cost, further supporting this cognitive movement. The coalition response to these measures has been constant but sporadic in the types of organizations involved. This article will examine briefly the environment in which extremists now operate (ideological and technical), outline what issues we must counter, and summarize/review efforts to date to counter, neuter, or cauterize extremists' use of the Internet by coalition forces and governments worldwide. Progress is being made, but it is uncertain if the restrictions on Western democracies in particular (legal, moral, etc.) and the difficulties in countering Internet advantages will ever be able to fully contain online extremism.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA494249
Entities
People
- Timothy L. Thomas