NCJ Number
214856
Journal
Studies in Conflict & Terrorism Volume: 29 Issue: 4 Dated: June 2006 Pages: 343-357
Date Published
June 2006
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Interviews and public information are used to examine the accuracy of the claim that the supporters/sympathizers of Muslim extremists are vital to the energizing and persistence of the jihad (war on the perceived enemies of Islam).
Abstract
The analysis concludes that jihadist sympathizers are essential to the planning and preparation of some terrorist activities, but not others. Jihadist sympathizers are persons and states that agree with jihadist strategies and are willing to make a conscious but indirect contribution to terrorist attacks. They can be essential to terrorist planning of attacks by providing funding, recruiting participants, and promoting violent jihad. In addition to sympathizers with a conscious commitment to jihad, jihad extremists also use Muslims and non-Muslims who are unaware of their role in terrorist strategies. Terrorists secretly use hawala bankers to transfer money, human smugglers to cross borders, and the Islamic "online community" to communicate with other terrorists. They manipulate immigration officers and steal personal documents from non-Muslims. They also use non-Muslims as consumers of jihadist money-making schemes or as victims of fraud and theft. In their preparation for an attack, the extremists depend less on sympathizers to make foreign journeys, generate revenues, and communicate with other terrorists. Also, in seeking cover for their identities and motives they may shun Muslim affiliations and behave like Westerners. Thus, although sympathizers may be important for fueling and supporting the jihadist ideology and tactics, in some cases the terrorists directly involved in planning an attack want to hide or avoid any link to jihadist sympathizers. 90 notes