U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Role of Social Networks in the Evolution of Al Qaeda-Inspired Violent Extremism in the United States, 1990-2015
NCJ Number
              250416

Author(s)
          Jytte Klausen
Date Published

June 2016
Length
              71 pages
Annotation
              This study analyzed the networks and organizations that mobilize and direct Americans in committing jihadist action or that raise money in the United States for Hamas and Hezbollah.
Abstract
              The study concluded that family members  and spouses are often the first to know when a person is about to engage in a violent jihadist-inspired attack.  American "homegrown" terrorists are rebelling  against perceived national U.S. policies and values, the beliefs of their parents, and against the American Muslim community that embraces the American way of life.  Based on these study findings, the authors recommend that State and Federal laws should make it a duty to report suspicions about imminent criminal activity related to terrorism.  These laws would be similar to those requiring the reporting of suspicions of child abuse.   Also, the growing involvement of converts and the diffusion of risk outside metropolitan areas suggests the need to educate community leaders, teachers, prison wardens, and social workers in the recognition of the signs of dangerous radicalization.  Further, it is recommended that there be a top-down suppression of the purveyors of extreme political violence rather than a bottom-up elimination of militant social media activists.  Such social media transmissions are often important sources of information for law enforcement in identifying high-risk individuals.  Data for this study were collected as part of the Western Jihadism Project, a database of Western nationals associated with terrorist  plots related to Al Qaeda and aligned groups, including ISIL.   Data are from the early 1990s to the end of 2015.   9 figures, 2 tables, and a list of publications stemming from this study
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2012-ZA-BX-0006


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Research (Applied/Empirical)
                                Report (Study/Research)
                                Report (Grant Sponsored)


  
  
        
  Award
        The Role of Social Networks in the Evolution of Al Qaeda-inspired Violent Extremism in the United States, 1993-2013.
    
  
  
Date Published: June 1, 2016
    
          Downloads
        
                      PDF

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Computer related crime
        Counter-terrorism and domestic preparedness
        Crime prevention
        Crime specific countermeasures
        Crime Specific Law Reform



  
Similar Publications
        
                      Assessing the Effectiveness of Programs To Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism
                  "The Best Predictor of Future Behavior is ...": Examining the Impact of Past Police Misconduct on the Likelihood of Future Misconduct
                  Predicting Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among Public Safety Officers: Implications of Sleep Disturbance, Emotional Support, and Stigma
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov