New Face of Terrorism

[LovelyLadyLux]

In my armchair musings and mullings my thinking today has taken me to - Given the Boston Bombings by two brothers recently who had become radicalized and given the horrific slaying in the UK of a solider on the street do you think we are seeing the new face of radical Islam?

I'm starting to think that the days of the major strikes (i.e. 9/11 or train bombings) that take a concerted organized effort and aimed at large numbers of people are over and now we're going to be seeing more and more smaller strikes by a few individuals.

Not that I'm favouring huge strikes but I'm rather inclined to think that if a strike is to be really big with lots of planning there is more of a hope this will be discovered and stopped.

How are we ever going to be able to stop individuals who have become radicalized and are prepared to strike out against anybody and everybody?

Where is the outrage against these acts by the rest of the Muslim world?

[Grandad]

I think there is little doubt that after 9/11 and 7/7 the intelligence agencies and security services increased their activities in intelligence gathering and surveillance and this has been shown in a number of instances where planned terrorist activities have been foiled. But these have been terrorist operations needing a lot of planning and organisation, and the use of social media and the like can help to expose such planning to the security services.

So young Muslins, and often converts to Islam, start by being influenced by hate preachers such as Anjem Choudary. They become brainwashed and conditioned into believing that the only way is Islam and they distort and mis-interpret the words of the Quoran to justify their actions.

So I believe you are correct LLL in suggesting that there is a new face of terrorism. After murdering Drummer Lee Rigby last Wednesday, Michael Adebolajo asked a bystander to video him before the armed police arrived. His hands were covered in blood and he was still holding the knife and cleaver, and to the camera he warned that it would not be the likes of Cameron (UK PM) and others in public life, but ordinary people and their children.

That is the new face of terrorism where anyone who is not a Muslim should be concerned. But to me this attitude is tribal and a thing of the past when you would just slay your enemy if he crossed your path. For many years the UK has progressively become multi-cultural. It started after WWII with the influx of people from the Carribean. It took many years and several generations for them to fully integrate into Britsh society. We have large communities from Poland, India, China and many other countries but it is only since the increase in people from Islamic countries that terrorism, of the kind seen in recent years, has taken a new face.

There is a debate at the moment as to whether the radical hate preachers should be given air time with interviews on TV and the media. Home Secretary Teresa May is trying to get laws to prevent their exposure in the future. Of course there is the counter argument that this would deny the freedom of the press. Personally I believe these people should be seen by the wider audience so that they (the audience) are better informed about where these acts of violence stem from.

Social media also has questions to answer. Why is it that there are hundreds of extremist videos on Youtube promoting Jihad which in Islamic terms means the struggle of Muslims against the ‘non believers’. Social media has become a free for all, largely un-moderated and in itself a vehicle for hate campaigns, something I have been predicting for years.

So where do we stand in this ‘New face of terrorism’. It is reported that both murderers of Drummer Rigby were known to the intelligence agencies, along with hundreds of other people under surveillance. Of course it is impractical to keep every one of these people under constant surveillance. But after Lee Rigbys death we are told that more than 500 officers are now working to round up any other associates of the two murderers. (Unfortunately, the BBC continues to refer to them as ‘suspects’?)

It is such a sad shame that just two officers could not have been given the task of shadowing Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale…..rather than the 500 now engaged…..perhaps Lee Rigby would still be alive.

RIP Lee, you have fought in the war zone that is Afghanistan but were struck down on a peaceful British street.

As a PS LLL, I should add in response to your last comment that we are talking here about a minority of Muslim people. From what we see and hear on TV and the media, the vast majority of Muslim people in the UK live and want to continue to live in peace. It really is just the radicalised minority that is the problem. But that minority can promote fear in the wider community.

[LovelyLadyLux]

I definitely hope this is not the new face of terrorism with lone individuals able to become radicalized into attacking innocents. What is being talked about on the US News channels is that the UK has welcomed many Muslim people but the concern (via the US) is that they are not assimilating and are basically living in self segregated communities and maintaining all of their old ways.

I saw the videos of the attacker with his bloodied hands. Sad commentary on humanity and a very sad commentary that he opted to take the life of a soldier stationed on a city street. I sure hope this isn`t becoming the new way of life.

I don`t know about exposing the hate mongers who are on social media. Basically I just haven`t thought it through well enough to have a comment on this yet. I do know that we have to integrate the mainstream Muslim communities as much as we can and open lines of communication to them. I have a feeling they are the ones who need to be self policing their own and talking to them about jihads and what is real hate and what is not.

Just truly sad at this `new face of terrorism`(as it is being touted here especially coming just after the Boston brothers attack)

[Grandad]

What is being talked about on the US News channels is that the UK has welcomed many Muslim people but the concern (via the US) is that they are not assimilating and are basically living in self segregated communities and maintaining all of their old ways.
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I don`t know about exposing the hate mongers who are on social media.
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I have a feeling they are the ones who need to be self policing their own and talking to them about jihads and what is real hate and what is not.
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Just truly sad at this `new face of terrorism`(as it is being touted here especially coming just after the Boston brothers attack)

It is true LLL that the UK has had open doors to immigration intent on creating multi culturism here. As is to be expected the minor ethnic communities tend to congregate together and, in the case of the Muslims, near to their mosque, or they create a mosque from a nearby vacant building. This is not 'integration' and there are claims that they want to bring sharia law with them into the UK.
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The reason I am in favour of exposing these hate preachers is that unless this is done people of the UK may not be fully aware that these people exist in their midst.
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The peace loving Muslim communities have a duty in my opinion to rout out the extremists. Much of the initial radicalisation starts in the mosques and I am sure that there are people who can see what is happening but take no action. Theye are closest to the problem and must report any concerns without fear of reprisal.
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The crude Boston bombs and the murder of Lee Rigby are examples of this new face of terrorism. There is instruction to be found on the internet for bomb making and last week we saw a handgun produced on a 3D printer that would not be detected by airport scanners. The potential threats are all around I am afraid....just have to be more and more vigilant.........

[Grandad]

I have just re-read the thread about Breaking News and the use of drones etc.

On this thread we are talking about Muslim radicals and their new face of terrorism. But, if my memory serves me Islamic fundermental terrorism has only come to ahead since the west became involved in Iraq, Afghanistan, and now on the radar, Syria and Iran.

But what has been the outcome of these involvements? Is Iraq a better, free'er country than before the downfall of Sadam? I think not. And do we imagine that Afghanistan will be a democratic peaceful country when we finally withdraw next year? I very much doubt it. And, although we were not involved in the revolution, is Egypt a better place after the removal of Mubarak? Certainly not.

So, the terrorism, new or old, seems to come from extremists seeking reprisals for the interference of the west into their countries by trying to impose western democracy on a culture that will not accept it. We have certainly not made a significant difference where we have become invloved and many hundreds or even thousands of lives have been lost for nothing???

[LovelyLadyLux]

I quite agree Grandad. Firstly I've done lots of reading about Afghanistan. Basically a deeply rooted tribal culture that hasn't changed much during the time the rest of the world modernized. They've fought off multi invaders over multi years and are not going to stop now. Did we help? Noooooo not at all. Same same with all the other countries we've moved in to to save and turn democratic. Highly doubt we're helping them at all. We're causing more strife and loss of life than anything else.

I think there are several causes of this rise of extremism. Firstly there are the mosques now out of the proverbial homeland so extremists are no longer just living in the middle eastern areas. Secondly with the rise of internet communications the how tos are easier to find than ever and the A B C's of making weapons readily available to all. Internet also allows rapid communication between all the extremist factions who, I'm sure, are offering up ideas of what to do next.

I know and acknowledge the majority of muslims are peace loving but I definitely do not see their leaders out there speaking against the jihadists. These same leaders have to know what their congregants are up to and even if they do not know specifics surely they have a sense of who is on the up and up and who is not. These same leaders should be helping to integrate their members into the larger community but they are not.

It is all a sad situation and one that seems to be getting worse.

Personally I think that 'our help' which is usually military going into an area is not effective. We have to stop with the idea of 'helping' and 'saving' others (hard concept to really get a grip on cause it IS our way and want to help) and trying to give them what we have i.e. democracy. I think we have to allow others to make their own way even if it pains us to watch and see what they do and how they do it. Just seems that time and time again we march the troops in and then all hell breaks lose.

[Jayway]

24 people have read this topic, so this means 21 have nothing to say or are afraid to voice their opinions. THIS IS WHY the world is as it is, a HUGE EFFIN MESS. Good luck

[LovelyLadyLux]

I quite agree Jayway that the vast majority of people are too (ahem) chicken **** to take a stand and voice or verbalize what is atrocious. This non-stance allows world atrocities to take place while the vast majority stand and do nothing. Am sure the Jewish people feel this acutely.

Sad really that many are not willing to speak out.

I, personally, do not have an answer but am willing to throw in my oar and indicate that this type of action - the murder of innocent people by a few has to stop. Personally I'd advocate the creation of a category - "urban terrorist" for lack of a better word which gives you no right to a court appointed lawyer, no right to appeal and justice for you WILL be SWIFT and SEVERE. Incarceration is solitary. IMMEDIATE and absolute solitary in an 8 x 8 cell with 2 meals/day. 30 Min exercise outside daily. NOTHING ELSE.

Terrorists are acting outside all defined civil law. They are targeting innocents therefore, IMO, they are giving up their right to due process the rest of us have the right to. ALL RIGHTS are forfeit if you target civilians and commit atrocities against mankind.

[Grandad]

24 people have read this topic, so this means 21 have nothing to say or are afraid to voice their opinions. THIS IS WHY the world is as it is, a HUGE EFFIN MESS. Good luck

Same with politicians Jayway. They never tell the truth or speak their mind, or even begin to represent the views of their electorate. It always has to be 'the party line' dictated by leaders, influenced by minorities.

We need more Independents to have the balls to truly represent the people. That is why UKIP is winning increasing favour.......

Edit. PS: I DO hope we see Horus back soon. We can always rely on him to contribute reasoned opinion on this and other subjects.

Hope you are bearing up Tez...

[LovelyLadyLux]

UKIP is a political party?

And yes be nice once Horus is back. Hope he is doing well.

Just watching the morning news and exploding CO2 bottles at Disneyland. Makes me think is it just me or are we as a people and society just more bent on hurting each other these days?

When I grew up everything was about trying to protect each other whereas nowadays it seems more how we can annihilate the largest number of people in the name of who knows what cause.

My thought of the day is that the entire Muslim community along with their leaders have a role and obligation to start speaking out against terrorism and jihad. I'm thinking if they want to be recognized as 'friends' I think pressure has to be put to make them start outing their own vs letting us stumble about the nether regions seaching for the ne'er do wells.

[LovelyLadyLux]

This comment doesn't really flow with this thread and is somewhat random on my part but lately President Obama has been talking more and more about the use of drones and terrorism blah blah blah.......apparently his rhetoric on this topic is increasing as a way to deflect attention from the scandals facing his Administration i.e. IRS, Benghazi, Associated Press (AP)

Seems he wants to address terrorism as a means of diverting attention off some of the other issues.

[Grandad]

I cannot remember the exact numbers but so far nearly 400 drone attacks have been launched by the US since the Iraq/Afghan conflicts started. Around 350 of these since Obama came to power.

Although these things exhibit a very high level of accuracy, there are far more civilians killed in these attacks than the intended terrorist targets. It is events like drone attacks that are adding fuel to extremists 'cause'.

[LovelyLadyLux]

Well Obama definitely accelerated drone attacks. I don't think it was until recently that I really realized how many he was actually doing and am sure this is adding fuel to the fire.

I so sometimes think that if the internet disappeared from the face of the earth would terrorism and everything still continue the way it is now OR would we just not hear about it?