Self Initiated Violent Actors

A.K.A. Lone Wolves

By: Jonathan D. Greenstein June 17, 2011

Recent events within our borders have again highlighted the dangers posed by seemingly disconnected individuals who are intent on sowing violence. They have come from all walks of life with widely varying socioeconomic backgrounds. Compounding the difficulty in predicting and preventing these individuals from waging a random hit-and-run campaign of violence on American soil is the fluidity of their tactics and the tools available to engage in acts of violence. Difficulties aside, I proffer that by using commonalities of these criminals, as with other criminal types, we may develop reliable detection methodologies. In researching background information for another article, I developed a different perspective that I would like to proffer; that being the identification of these individuals as Self Initiated Violent Actors (SIVAs). Not to supplant previous work of others and subsequent application of the term lone wolf to individuals who for whatever reason choose to move from violent postulation to action, but to address the connotation that comes to mind when you first hear the term lone wolf. Relying on the sometimes dubious resources of Wikipedia, I culled the following: A lone wolf is a wolf that lives independently rather than with others as a member of a pack. The term is also used in reference to people who exhibit characteristics of introversion or a strong preference for independence While I would tend to agree with this definition of a lone wolf, I do not believe it appropriately fits the true model and personality type of recent violent actors acting under the auspices of terrorism. This is not to say that a lone wolf personality alone contributes to potential for violence, nor do I maintain that a self initiated violent actor will act in concert with other like minded individuals. What I argue is that the term lone wolf creates potential mental roadblocks. Recent event s have again demonstrated the difficulty of typing personality types into a neat little box from which we can accurately predict potential for violence. They have been immigrants, American born, visitors. They have been part of complex networks and acted from within small cells. When we use the term lone wolf, we inadvertently narrow our perspective to individuals with a somewhat rigidly defined personality type; thus the proffer to identify violent actors as self initiated violent actors.

I also believe that SIVA can in some cases replace the newly coined term Homegrown Violent Extremist (HVE), as it too narrows the focus on the homegrown threat. SIVA covers a wide swath of violent actors and removes any preconceived notions as to their origin, motivations and personality type. SIVAs can either act alone or in concert with other violent actors. Their participation can be active or passive; carrying out the attack or supporting it through logistics, intelligence or otherwise. Where this new classification differs from previous typing is that it distinguishes them from already motivated individuals who are either programmed to carry out a specific tasking or are radicalized for the purpose of carrying out an attack. SIVAs self-initiate whereas other violent actors tend to be mission tasked following a period of radicalization. They can be motivated out of personal loss, perceived injustice, skewed views of the world or any number of personally impacting events. By taking this step back and creating a new definition for inclusion into the lexicon I believe we will be better able to assess potential violent actors and the behaviors they may exhibit. Before we move any further, I want to clarify again that previous work done to identify potential indicators of violence are immeasurably valuable in our fight against terrorism. Considerable research has been conducted, best practices identified and processes improved. This has been Yeomans work and work I sincerely appreciate. It has helped me in my refinement of potential indicators of terrorism and will surely motivate others in the field to identify additional tools and processes. Back to the subject at hand; SIVAs. The tangible motivators that fuel them on their path to action are seemingly quantifiable. In nearly every recent case SIVAs were consumers of anti-American propaganda and images of Jihad. This served to reinforce their hatred and bolster their belief that their actions were gloriously blessed by Allah. What is important to note is that most SIVAs made this foray into violence on their own. While Al Qaida propaganda is plentiful and readily available through various social media sites, on YouTube and on the printed pages of Inspire, it is the SIVA who seeks it out time and time again. This reinforces my assessment that they are self-initiated. They need these footholds to continue onward and seek it to sustain their rage. For whatever reason, they seek what they perceive to be the glory of battle. While no recent SIVAs have openly stated so, I believe they held misconceptions borne from a skewed view of what battle is and the horrors it causes. They saw the glory that was portrayed through increasingly savvy marketing by Al Qaeda and their affiliates and moved from follower to actor in short order. The same applies to individuals groomed for action through Al Qaida s terrorist pipeline, but for SIVAs the act they undertake may vary greatly from documented tactics demonstrated by AQ. As with an addict, they are drawn back time and time again. Unlike individuals who are groomed through a process of structured indoctrination and radicalization, SIVAS do it on their own schedule. While they may affiliate with a radical proselytizer, they likely seek out the fuel for their fire through other sources such as those already noted. This is where identifying them through traditional means such as confidential sources or targeted surveillance experiences a shortfall since most of a SIVAs activity is done out of view.

Should the broader and less exclusionary concept of self-initiated violent actors be adopted we must then identify potential indicators. Most of these are not new but they have been adjusted to reflect this new thought process for the identification of type specific violent actors. As noted earlier, while some of the typical methods used to identify potential violent actors are impaired by virtue of their self driven behavior, we can look at a SIVAs observable conduct for potential indicators. This is provided with the obvious caveats that these are potential indicators; violence cannot be predicted with certainty but potential can be assessed. Their presence or absence is not an absolute indicator one way or the other; this is not a clinical or diagnostic tool but a general guide. For the sake of brevity I have referenced Al Qaida; however these potential indicators can be translated to any parent group of similar construct.

Potential SIVA Behavioral Indicators

-Have they expressed a conviction to engage in violence? -Has the individual shown a marked change in behavior following a significant victory by Al Qaida? This can include attacks, media releases, favorable coverage or other positive incidents -Has the individual shown a marked change in behavior following a significant loss by Al Qaida? This can include the death of a major player in AQ, battlefield losses, disruption of an attack and the like -Is there a change in behavior or activities leading up to a significant date? Included would be September 11th, July 4th, January 25th and May 4th. -Has previous rhetoric changed in frequency, tone or message? -Immersion in materials related to violent Jihad -Alignment with proselytizers of violence In cases where the SIVA intends to commit a suicide attack there may be additional potential indicators such as: -Agitated or excited state quickly changing to an apparent calm demeanor. -Gifting of important or valuable possessions -Marked change in appearance such as shaving of a long worn beard -Writing of a will, filming of a goodbye video or similar acts

Potential SIVA Operational Indicators

-Sudden interest in symbolic cities or targets -Increased interest in any recent terrorist plots and discussion as to lessons learned -Changes in routine, travel patterns and other counter-surveillance activity -Seeking employment with or access to critical infrastructure points, potential targets and the like -Efforts to obtain implements that could be used in an attack This would include weapons, ammunition, explosives and/or chemicals -Research beyond the casual into construction of explosives or other devices As noted previously, these are potential indicators. The presence or absence of an indicator is not an absolute indication that a person intends to engage in an act of violence, but they can be leveraged as an additional tool used in the development of cause to open or continue inquiry. They are just as valuable to an experienced law enforcement officer as they are to a civilian observer. Now that the case for the application of the term self-initiated violent actor (SIVA) has been articulated and a demonstration of how currently used typing may cause the focus to either narrow or broaden depending on the context, I believe that practitioners of threat assessments and investigative endeavors will find useful application of this new perspective.

NOTICE: This article was written as part of a professional development exercise and does not reflect the official position or policies of the authors employer. Inferences and conclusions are the authors own. This article may be copied and shared with the understanding that it is not to be used as part of a commercial enterprise. The author may be contacted via: jonathan.greenstein@leo.gov