Evolution Of Terrorist Groups And Networks: Effects Of Successful Undercover Operations On Methods Of Operation

摘要

It has been widely regarded and understood in recent times that when it comes to the threats posed by terrorism, the biggest threat is from within. That threat is from 'homegrown' terrorist cells, ones that do not necessarily have actual ties to a terrorist group but is associated with a group through shared ideologies only.rnThis type of terrorist cell is especially dangerous as they can be very difficult to detect and interrupt. There are far less nodes or links in the chain where the groups' activities can be discovered and interrupted as they do not have those formal links; the command and control from larger known organizations as well as providing finance and supply of materials to carry out attacks.rnA node can be described as a point, be-it a person or a group that links another person or group together. So it stands to reason that the bigger the terrorist organization and cells acting under its control, the more nodes it would have. It is the case then that a cell composed of homegrown terrorists with no formal links to a bigger terrorist organization will have very few nodes.