Colleen R. LaRose aka Jihad Jane
In the ongoing war on terror, one new and extremely troubling battle involves the rise of those who are citizens of the United States, that for one reason or another choose to conspire with terrorists. They then plan and attempt to implement attacks in this country or overseas.
Homegrown Terrorists Initially Raise Fewer Red Flags
Holding United States citizenship, a passport allowing for much less scrutiny at borders and in many cases not fitting into the profile that intelligence agencies would consider for an Islamic terrorist, these people pose a real and present risk to the homeland security of our country. It is not until they either slip up or get caught in the surveillance net of other suspects that they are stopped. Until that time they will have the ability to move, recruit and plan under the radar.
For many analysts of terrorism, it is this group, homegrown terrorists, that now pose one of the greatest risks to to the country.
The Mission Of Jihad Jane
While this specific mission was not to be one designed to inflict the most loss of life and property as possible, it points out the dangers to those who may speak or act in ways that are considered by extremists to be unacceptable, and therefore punishable by death.
Her target for elimination is said to be Lars Vilks, a Swedish cartoonist who in 2007 drew a picture of Muhammad, saying at the time that he had wanted to push the limits of artistic expression.
Indicted in Pennsylvania on charges of conspiring with terrorists, it was said LaRose had used various internet tools to recruit members with plans for future terrorist attacks in Europe and Asia. In addition to recruitment, the indictment said that she had raised funds and arranged for phony passports and other travel documents. She was arrested by the FBI as she stepped off of a flight from Ireland.
Said LaRose in emails, "Only death will stop me here that I am so close to the target!."
Said David Kris, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's National Security Division, "A woman from suburban America agreed to carry out murder overseas and to provide material support to terrorists, underscores the evolving nature of the threat we face."
Top photo courtesy of NPR
Bottom photo courtesy of AFP/Getty Images
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