WASHINGTON — The Obama administration, grappling with a spate of recent Islamic terror cases on U.S. soil, has concluded that the country is experiencing an increased threat from home-grown extremism, anti-terrorism officials and experts say.
The concern comes at a time when anti-terrorism officials and experts have pointed to signs of accelerated radicalization among American Muslims. The trend is driven by a wave of English-language online propaganda that appeals to U.S. extremists and reflected in increased travel by aspiring fighters to training hot spots such as Pakistan and Somalia.
Until recently, Europe has been the front line for Islamic terrorist activity, suffering successive attacks and major plots, while the U.S. remained relatively calm. But the number, variety and seriousness of recent U.S. cases make 2009 seem the most dangerous year in this country since 2001, the officials say.
There were major arrests of Americans accused of plotting with al-Qaida and its allies, including an Afghan American charged in a New York bomb plot described as the most serious threat in the United States since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
The FBI rounded up suspected home-grown extremists in cities including Dallas, Detroit and Raleigh, N.C., breaking up alleged plots targeting a synagogue, government buildings and military facilities.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano warned of the home-grown threat last week in her strongest public comments yet on the issue.
“Home-based terrorism is here,” Napolitano said in a speech in New York. “And, like violent extremism abroad, it will be part of the threat picture that we must now confront.”
Searching for causes of the apparent upsurge in terrorist activity in the United States, officials said intensified radicalization among American Muslims was a key factor.
“Radicalization is clearly happening in the U.S.,” said Mitchell Silber, director of analysis for the Intelligence Division of the New York Police Department. “In years past, you couldn’t say that about the U.S. You could say it about Europe.”
Some feel radicalization in the United States has been worse than authorities thought for some time.
“People focused on the idea that we’re different, we’re better at integrating Muslims than Europe is,” said Zeyno Baran, a Turkish American scholar at the Hudson Institute. “But there’s radicalization — especially among converts (and) newcomers. … I think young U.S. Muslims today are as prone to radicalization as Muslims in Europe.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
