Lone actors: Challenges and opportunities for countering violent extremism

• NCJ Number: 304429
• Author(s): Ramón Spaaij
• Date Published: 2015
• Length: 12 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2012-ZA-BX-0001
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Award: Lone Wolf Terrorism in America: Using Knowledge of Radicalization Pathways to Forge Prevention Strategies

Annotation

This paper explores some of the key challenges and opportunities concerning the prevention and control of lone actor terrorism.

Abstract

It is argued that lone actors do not operate in a social vacuum and that the interaction points between lone actors and their social environments can render lone actors both visible and  vulnerable. This is explored through a particular focus on lone actors’ use of, and engagement with, social media and the internet, which presents both challenges to and opportunities for the prevention and interdiction of lone actor terrorism. (Publisher Abstract)