Terrorism

IPT Analysis on Spread of Islamist Terror Was Correct

IPT Analysis on Spread of Islamist Terror Was Correct
IPT Analysis on Spread of Islamist Terror Was Correct

Pete Hoekstra, Senior Shillman Fellow at the Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT) and the former Chairman of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee reported a few days ago that a newly released report shows that IPT’s analysis of the spread of Islamist terror was correct.

The report Hoekstra referred to is a Congressional Report, released on June 14, 2016 titled, “The Islamic State and U.S. Policy” and authored by Christopher M. Blanchard, a specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs and Carla E. Humud, an analyst in Middle Eastern and African Affairs concerning disturbing trends in the global spread of Islamist terror in 2016-2017.

In the report, it shows that IS leaders have repeatedly encouraged and sought to provide ideological justifications for independently organized and executed attacks by individuals who seek to support the organization but are unable to travel to Syria or Iraq to join its ranks. IS spokesman Abu Mohammed al Adnani urged IS supporters in Europe and the United States to carry out such attacks in a May 2016 statement.

In March 2016, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for deadly bombings in Brussels, Belgium, that involved individuals associated with the perpetrators of the November 2015 Paris attacks. According to investigators, the December 2015 San Bernardino, California terrorist attack was perpetrated by IS supporters but not directed or assisted by overseas elements of the group. 14 In June 2016, a reported IS supporter perpetrated the most deadly mass shooting in U.S. history, killing 49 people in Orlando, Florida. The terrorist responsible for the June 12 Orlando attack reportedly pledged his loyalty to IS leaders, and the group’s media outlets have described him as one of the group’s “soldiers.

IPT compiled its analysis from extensive research, sources and multiple databases such as the University of Maryland’s Global Terrorism Database and published it in March.

The IPT’s research indicated that governments which failed to provide stability or security for its citizens became an outsized factor in determining where ISIS would flourish, which the CRS brief reflects. The IPT found that more than half of all jihadist assaults since 2012 occurred in the failed states of Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Iraq and Syria.

“To date, the Islamic State organization and its regional adherents have thrived in ungoverned or under-governed areas of countries affected by conflict or political instability,” stated the CRS document.”

Hoekstra said, “Beyond the recent carnage in the U.S. and Europe, the IPT further predicts that jihadist attacks will continue to surge in lethality and geography throughout Africa and Middle East, as well as South and Southeast Asia. They will encompass countries such as Algeria, Jordan, Tunisia, Turkey, Bangladesh, Chad, Indonesia and Thailand.”

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CLC

Fmr. Sgt, USAF Intelligence, NSA/DOD; Studied Cryptology at Community College of the Air Force

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