Lone Wolves Myth

Lone Wolves!

That partic myth may be deader than ObL in accepted memes au courant...   

The attacks in Paris and the radical Islamist cell dismantled in Brussels have challenged the idea of the “lone wolf” terrorist who works alone, without the help of a jihadist organization

Every terrorist that has attempted or carried out attacks in the West in recent years — down to the Kouachi brothers who struck the Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris this month — has had some level of ties to extremist groups engaged in global jihad

The concept of “lone wolves” emerged at a time when Western observers were still struggling to understand the apparently diffuse threat from global jihadists — that operated with less clear-cut structures than the major terrorist organisations of the 20th century.

Even if they act alone, or as part of small local cells, they are following a clear blueprint set out by groups with global name recognition.

The Soufan Group, says a better term for "lone wolves" would be "known wolves", given how many are already known to Western intelligence agencies before they strike.