Uloga interneta u radikalizaciji i djelovanju vukova samotnjaka

master's thesis

• Title (english): The Role of the Internet in Radicalization and Activities of Lone-Wolf Terrorists
• Author: Valentina Valjak
• Mentor: Ružica Jakešević (mentor)
• Committee member: Ružica Jakešević (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Hrvoje Špehar (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Robert Mikac (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; The Faculty of Political Science; (Department of International Relations and Security Studies); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2019-09-20, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: SOCIAL SCIENCES; Political Science; International Relations and National Security

Abstract

Premda terorizam vuka samotnjaka nije nov fenomen, posljednjih se godina bilježi porast broja terorističkih napada vukova samotnjaka i promjene u načinima kojim se radikaliziraju i djeluju. Jedan od uzroka takve promjene leži u sve većoj rasprostranjenosti i dostupnosti sofisticirane i povoljne tehnologije, posebice interneta. Internet im omogućava da se samostalno radikaliziraju te brže i lakše nego ikada naiđu na potrebne informacije za planiranje i provođenje terorističkih napada. Shodno tome, ovaj rad nastoji opisati ulogu interneta u radikalizaciji i djelovanju vukova samotnjaka. Analizirana su četiri tipična slučaja vuka samotnjaka: Anders Breivik, Nidal Hasan, Colleen LaRose i Humam al-Balawi. Navedeni slučajevi se u određenim karakteristikama razlikuju, no sve ih povezuje činjenica da su u nekom obliku koristili internet u svojoj radikalizaciji i djelovanju. Anders Breivik se internetom koristio u diseminaciji ideoloških stavova, prikupljanju potpore za svoje djelovanje, promoviranju vlastitog manifesta i nabavci materijala za izradu eksploziva. Nidal Hasan je putem e-maila komunicirao s jednim od vođa al-Kaide, Anwarom al-Awlakijem, zaduženog za regrutaciju i motiviranje pojedinaca na izvršenje terorističkih napada. Colleen LaRose je “vučica” koja je financirala i regrutirala teroriste putem interneta, a njena radikalizacija se u potpunosti odvijala virtualno. Humam al-Balawi je na internetskim forumima stekao status visoko cijenjenog animatora pod pseudonimom “Abu Dujana”. Sva četiri slučaja pokazatelji su širokog spektra mogućnosti koju internet pruža vukovima samotnjacima u njihovoj radikalizaciji i djelovanju.

Abstract (english)

Although lone wolf terrorism is not a new phenomenon, there has been an increase in the number of lone wolf terrorist attacks, as well as changes in the way they radicalize and operate. One of the causes of these changes is the prevalence and availability of sophisticated and cheap technology, mainly internet. Internet allows these individuals to self-radicalize, so as it gives them access to all the necessary information for planning and carrying out terrorist attacks. Therefore, this study reviews the role of internet in radicalization and activities of lone wolf terrorists. Four typical lone wolf terrorists were analyzed: Anders Breivik, Nidal Hasan, Colleen LaRose and Humam al-Balawi. Whilst these four cases are different in certain aspects, they all have one thing in common – the use of internet in their radicalization and activities. In the case of Anders Breivik, internet played a role in ideology dissemination, gaining support for his actions, promoting his own manifesto and as a tool to obtain material for building explosives. Nidal Hasan exchanged emails with Anwar al-Awlaki, one of al-Qaeda's top terrorist recruiters. Colleen LaRose used internet to finance and recruit other lone wolves, while her radicalization occured purely online. Humam al-Balawi was an active member of jihadist forums where he was known as “Abu Dujana” and achieved the status of a well respected forum leader. They are all examples of the variety of services internet offers to lone wolves in their radicalization and activities.

• Keywords: terorizam; vuk samotnjak; radikalizacija; internet; Anders Breivik; Nidal Hasan; Colleen LaRose; Humam al-Balawi
• Keywords (english): terrorism; lone wolf; radicalization; Internet; Anders Breivik; Nidal Hasan; Colleen LaRose; Humam al-Balawi
• Language: croatian
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:114:698722
• Study programme: Title: Political Science; Study programme type: university; Study level: graduate; Academic / professional title: magistar/magistra politologije (magistar/magistra politologije)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Access restricted to students and staff of home institution
• Created on: 2019-11-12 14:13:19