This is the “new normal”. Jihad Jane is the now. Terrorist networks have evolved into more fluid, independent and autonomous groups lacking structure yet taking their inspiration from trans-national groups such as AQ and others. AQ and other groups have transcended into a sort of virtual terrorist think-tank where all they have to do is provide the idea and let anyone with the will carry it out. We are seeing the terrorist threat coming from small, autonomous, diffuse, micro actors rather than larger, more formalized and connected organizational entities such as AQ, JI, etc. Globalization and the internet enable the transformation from angry individuals into small radicalized groups with an ability to network and exchange ideas, share experiences and foster each others radicalization, amplifying grievances, and intensifying members’ bonds. Face-to-face radicalization has been replaced by online-radicalization and facilitated by a virtual market places for extremist ideas. Think of the internet like a virtual bazaar or marketplace where terrorist ideas, TTPs, successes and failures are traded back and forth like currency or goods and services. Today, amateurs like Jihad Jane have ready and easy access to the means and the methods of terrorism by entering into this virtual marketplace. Terrorism has become accessible to anyone with a grievance, an agenda, a purpose, or any idiosyncratic combination of the above and is looking for the right inspiration and support to take action. Jihad Jane is not the first and won’t be the last.
