American Jihadist Terrorism: Combating a Complex Threat

Bjelopera, Jerome P. ; Randol, Mark A.

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service.

关键词: Religion;    Islam;    Muslims;    Terrorism;    International affairs;   

RP-ID  :  R41416
RP-ID  :  R41416_2010Sep20

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

Between May 2009 and August 2010, arrests were made for 19 "homegrown," jihadist-inspired terrorist plots by American citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States. The apparent spike in such activity after May 2009 suggests that at least some Americans - even if a tiny minority - continue to be susceptible to ideologies supporting a violent form of jihad. This report describes homegrown violent jihadists and the plots and attacks that have occurred since 9/11. This report also provides official definitions for terms such as "homegrown," "jihadist," and "violent jihadist." The report also discusses the radicalization process and the forces driving violent extremist activity. It analyzes post-9/11 domestic jihadist terrorism, describes law enforcement and intelligence efforts to combat terrorism and the challenges associated with those efforts. It also outlines actions underway to build trust and partnership between community groups and government agencies and the tensions that may occur between law enforcement and engagement activities.