Islamic Terrorism In Cyberspace: Changing Frontiers Of Global Muslim Terrorism (Part One)
By
Grace Mubashir, New Age Islam
29 December
2023
The Ever-Changing
Landscape Of Terrorist Communications Implies A Continual Evolution In The
Nature Of Terrorism Itself. While The Specific Forms And Dimensions Terrorism
Will Take In The Remainder Of The 21st Century Remain Unpredictable, This
Evolutionary Process Will Undoubtedly Be Influenced—And Hastened—By Emerging
Communications Technologies, As Has Been Observed Over The Past Decade
Major
Points:
1.
Extremist groups, often driven by radical
ideologies, have adeptly harnessed the power of online platforms to disseminate
their messages, recruit followers, and coordinate activities
2.
Efforts to counter the use of the Internet by
Islamic extremists involve a multi-faceted approach. Governments, tech
companies, and civil society organizations collaborate to develop strategies to
identify and remove extremist content, enhance online security measures, and
address the root causes of radicalization
3.
The growth of al-Qaida and affiliates shows the
manipulation of cyberspace by radicals
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The
utilization of the Internet by Islamic extremists has become a subject of
growing concern in recent years. Extremist groups, often driven by radical
ideologies, have adeptly harnessed the power of online platforms to disseminate
their messages, recruit followers, and coordinate activities. This phenomenon
poses significant challenges to efforts aimed at countering terrorism and
promoting online safety. The internet serves as a potent tool for Islamic
extremists to reach a global audience. Social media platforms, websites, and
forums provide a virtual space where extremists can share propaganda,
disseminate radical ideologies, and recruit individuals sympathetic to their
cause. The ease of communication and anonymity afforded by online platforms facilitate
the rapid spread of extremist content, enabling like-minded individuals to
connect and organize.
One notable
aspect of the internet's role in the activities of Islamic extremists is its
role in recruitment. Online platforms allow recruiters to target vulnerable
individuals who may be susceptible to radicalization. Through the use of
persuasive narratives and carefully crafted propaganda, extremists seek to
attract individuals to their cause, exploiting the internet's reach and
accessibility. Additionally, the Internet serves as a tool for the planning and
coordination of extremist activities. Secure communication channels, encrypted
messaging apps, and online forums provide a means for extremists to organize
and coordinate their efforts, making it challenging for law enforcement and
intelligence agencies to monitor and disrupt their activities.
Efforts to
counter the use of the Internet by Islamic extremists involve a multi-faceted
approach. Governments, tech companies, and civil society organizations collaborate
to develop strategies to identify and remove extremist content, enhance online
security measures, and address the root causes of radicalization.
Counter-narratives and online campaigns are also employed to challenge and
discredit extremist ideologies. Despite these efforts, the dynamic nature of
the internet poses ongoing challenges in the fight against online extremism.
Striking a balance between preserving freedom of speech and preventing the
spread of harmful ideologies remains a complex task. Ongoing research,
international cooperation, and technological innovations are essential
components of a comprehensive strategy to address the use of the Internet by
Islamic extremists and mitigate the associated risks.
Cyberspace
Manipulation By Extremists
The advent
of the Internet and the World Wide Web stands as one of the most transformative
technological developments in recent history. Unquestionably, in a relatively
brief period, it has revolutionized global communication, allowing for the
swift (often real-time), ubiquitous, and, notably, cost-effective exchange of
information on a global scale. Within the realm of political activism, it has
proven to be a valuable asset, serving as a facilitator for what some analysts
describe as a "global dialectic." This dynamic allows for the
initiation of awakening, awareness, activism, and radicalism at a local level,
subsequently mobilizing these sentiments into a broader process of dissent and
protest.
The
internet provides an efficient means for groups to advance their causes.
Professor Dorothy E. Denning of Georgetown University aptly notes that
"Groups of any size, ranging from small clusters to millions, can connect
and utilize the internet to champion their agendas. Their members and
supporters can be located in any geographical region accessible on the
internet, enabling them to endeavor to influence foreign policy on a global
scale." The online environment allows for the seamless connection and
collaboration of individuals across borders, fostering the dissemination of
ideologies and the coordination of collective efforts.
In essence,
the internet serves as a catalyst for a decentralized form of activism,
enabling the rapid dissemination of information and the fostering of
connections among like-minded individuals. This interconnectedness has profound
implications for the dynamics of political engagement, as groups leverage the
internet to initiate and amplify their messages, transcending geographical
limitations and influencing global narratives.
Apart from
its widespread availability and real-time capabilities, the internet possesses
several other advantages for various actors, including the ability to bypass
government censorship. Messages can be transmitted anonymously, swiftly, and
with minimal effort, making it an exceptionally cost-effective medium for mass
communication. Notably, the internet empowers terrorists to engage in what
Professor Dorothy E. Denning terms "perception management." This
refers to the ability to present themselves and their actions precisely as they
wish, free from the filtration, screening, and spin often applied by
established media. Additionally, it facilitates what is known as
"information laundering," involving the promotion of compelling video
clips or sound bites to generate an "Internet buzz" with the hope of
transitioning into mainstream media coverage.
Furthermore,
the internet brings forth new and significantly enhanced fundraising
capabilities for entities that may be otherwise illegal or underground.
Financial contributions are now just a click away, with numerous websites
providing banking details for cash transfers. Consequently, the internet has
proven to be a highly advantageous communication medium for terrorists, serving
as a crucial tool for both external purposes such as propaganda and internal
functions like command and control and information dissemination.
In
contemporary times, virtually all major (and many minor) terrorist and
insurgent groups maintain websites. As a researcher at the U.S. government's
Foreign Broadcast and Information Service (FBIS), now known as the Open Source
Center (OSC), noted six years ago, "These days, if you're not on the web,
you don't exist." According to Professor Gabriel Weimann, a leading expert
in the field of terrorist communication and the internet, "The story of
the presence of terrorist groups in cyberspace has barely begun to be
told." In 1998, less than half of the 30 groups designated as 'Foreign
Terrorist Organizations' (FTOs) by the U.S. State Department had websites, but
by the end of 1999, nearly all of them did. This underscores the pervasive and
transformative influence of the Internet on the communication strategies of
terrorist organizations.
Radical
Islamic terrorist organizations are widely recognized for being at the
forefront of organizational networking, showcasing a remarkable ability to
leverage information technology not only for propaganda, fundraising, and
recruitment but also for offensive operations. Despite the diversity of
terrorist websites, they often share common characteristics. These sites are
frequently distinguished by their vibrant, well-crafted, and visually
captivating graphic content. This design seems specifically tailored to
resonate with a computer-savvy, media-immersed, and video game-engaged
generation. A U.S. government observer of the phenomenon in the context of
radical Islamic websites aptly noted, "Never in history has there been an
opportunity where propaganda is so effective." The visually appealing and
technologically sophisticated nature of these websites contributes to their
potency in reaching and influencing a broad audience.
Al-Qaida
And Affiliates In Cyberspace
Al-Qaida
stands out among terrorist groups due to its early recognition of the
significant communicative potential offered by the Internet. The growth of
al-Qaida and its affiliates shows the use of cyberspace by radicals. Right from
the beginning, its leadership demonstrated an intuitive understanding of the
immense power of online communication. They actively sought to leverage this
power to advance the movement's strategic objectives and streamline tactical
operations. The emphasis placed on external communications by al-Qaida is
evident in its pre-9/11 organizational structure. Among the original four
operational committees, one was exclusively dedicated to media and publicity,
with others overseeing military operations, finance and business, and fatwa and
Islamic study. Notably, Egyptian computer experts, who had previously fought
alongside Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan during the 1980s, were specifically
recruited to establish and maintain an extensive network of websites, email
capabilities, and electronic bulletin boards. Remarkably, this digital
infrastructure continues to function today, despite al-Qaida's expulsion from
Afghanistan, the destruction of its operational base in that country, and the
ongoing efforts of the U.S.-led global war on terrorism.
Over an
extended period, the Internet has played a crucial role in enabling al-Qaida to
perform three essential functions:
1.
Disseminating propaganda to recruit and raise
funds, as well as influencing public opinion within the Muslim world.
2.
Conducting terrorist training and providing
instructions.
3.
Facilitating operational planning for attacks
through email communication and leveraging its access to a diverse range of
valuable open-source information.
In the
post-9/11 era and following the loss of Afghanistan as a physical sanctuary,
each of these functions has gained even greater significance for al-Qaida.
Consequently, the Internet has transformed into a virtual sanctuary for the
group, providing an efficient, swift, and anonymous channel for communication
with its fighters, followers, sympathizers, and supporters worldwide. Prior to
9/11, al-Qaida operated solely on one website: www.alneda.com. However, today,
the movement has expanded its online presence to encompass more than 50
different sites. A statement posted on azzam.com in 2002 encapsulates the
sentiment within the jihadist community: "The more websites, the better it
is for us; we must make the Internet our tool."
Initially,
www.alneda.com alone served this purpose. Published exclusively in Arabic (a
common trait among hardcore jihadi sites), the website highlighted three
fundamental messages that continue to form the cornerstone of al-Qaida and
other jihadi websites:
1.
The West is inherently hostile to Islam.
2.
The only effective response to this threat,
comprehensible to the West, is through violence.
3.
Therefore, jihad remains the sole viable
option.
To support
these assertions, the theory of jihad was meticulously expounded upon with
thorough theological and legalistic detail. Online treatises specifically
emphasized the obligation for all Muslims to both protect and propagate Islam
through the use of force. On the websites, one could find summaries of news
relevant to the Islamic struggle against the West, al-Qaida's own accounts of
ongoing conflicts with American and allied forces in Afghanistan and Pakistan,
and suggested readings, including books by authors approved by al-Qaida
theoreticians. The site featured extensive justifications for the 9/11 attacks,
including video clips and messages praising the operation, accompanied by
Islamic juridical arguments sanctioning the killing of innocents. Like other
terrorist websites, poems glorified the sacrifices of al-Qaida martyrs and
eloquently depicted the unwavering defensive struggle against Islam’s enemies.
During the
immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, when al-Qaida faced significant
setbacks culminating in the loss of Afghanistan as a base, alneda.com served a
crucial morale-boosting role. It aimed to lift the spirits of al-Qaida fighters
and strengthen support among sympathizers.
Conclusion
In
conclusion, the ever-changing landscape of terrorist communications implies a
continual evolution in the nature of terrorism itself. While the specific forms
and dimensions terrorism will take in the remainder of the 21st century remain
unpredictable, this evolutionary process will undoubtedly be influenced—and
hastened—by emerging communications technologies, as has been observed over the
past decade. What is evident, however, is that the U.S. lags dangerously behind
in addressing the terrorist exploitation of the Internet, particularly by
radical jihadists.
As detailed
in this testimony, the Internet currently serves as a platform saturated with
messages of hate, intolerance, violence, and unmitigated enmity towards the
U.S., a void effectively occupied by terrorists and radical jihadists. It is
imperative that we take immediate action—swiftly and with adequately allocated
resources and strategic direction—to engage in the virtual battleground of
cyberspace and reclaim control of this crucial information source from our
adversaries.
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A regular columnist for NewAgeIslam.com, Mubashir
V.P is a PhD scholar in Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia and freelance
journalist.
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-terrorism-jihad/islamic-terrorism-cyberspace-global-muslim/d/131413