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
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
• Corporate Author: Indiana State University
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Chapter published in Lone Actors – An Emerging Security Threat (2015) NATO Science for Peace and Security Series E: Human and Societal Dynamics – Vol. 123.

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)