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NEW: Terrorist Targeting in the Age of Coronavirus
How has Covid-19 expanded terrorist targeting in the US? Thread:
(with @Jacob_A_Ware & Sam Stern, @ICTR_journal, @ICT_org, @NextGen_50) https://www.nextgen50.org/post/terrorist-targeting-in-the-age-of-coronavirus
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How has Covid-19 expanded terrorist targeting in the US? Thread:
(with @Jacob_A_Ware & Sam Stern, @ICTR_journal, @ICT_org, @NextGen_50) https://www.nextgen50.org/post/terrorist-targeting-in-the-age-of-coronavirus
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1) New Range of Targets:
Capitalizing on conspiracy theories and adapting to public closures, US-based racially and ethnically motivated extremists and anti-govt accelerationists have identified new targets against which to direct their animus and potential violence
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Capitalizing on conspiracy theories and adapting to public closures, US-based racially and ethnically motivated extremists and anti-govt accelerationists have identified new targets against which to direct their animus and potential violence
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2) Target #1 Asian Americans:
While Jews, Muslims, Latinos, and African Americans usually bear the brunt of race-based hate crimes in the US, the Chinese origin of the virus has precipitated increased attacks on Asian Americans, which at one point soared to 100 incidents/day
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While Jews, Muslims, Latinos, and African Americans usually bear the brunt of race-based hate crimes in the US, the Chinese origin of the virus has precipitated increased attacks on Asian Americans, which at one point soared to 100 incidents/day
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3) Target #2 Medical Facilities:
Since the declaration of a national emergency, there have been four known attempted attacks by individuals espousing far-right ideologies against medical facilities or care homes countrywide
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Since the declaration of a national emergency, there have been four known attempted attacks by individuals espousing far-right ideologies against medical facilities or care homes countrywide
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4) Target #3 5G-linked Infrastructure:
Conspiracy theories linking 5G to health risks are not new (InfoWars & RT have pushed such content since 2016); However, under Covid-19, 5G conspiracies, peddled by QAnon and other extremists have inspired a # of attacks in the US & EU
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Conspiracy theories linking 5G to health risks are not new (InfoWars & RT have pushed such content since 2016); However, under Covid-19, 5G conspiracies, peddled by QAnon and other extremists have inspired a # of attacks in the US & EU
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5) Covid-19 linked conspiracies are killing people:
Current conspiracies scapegoating Asian and Jewish Americans endanger segments of the U.S. population, while those professing health implications caused by 5G imperil engineers and key American communications infrastructure
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Current conspiracies scapegoating Asian and Jewish Americans endanger segments of the U.S. population, while those professing health implications caused by 5G imperil engineers and key American communications infrastructure
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6) Implications for law enforcement:
Recognize the heightened value that far-right, anti-govt, and accelerationist terrorists might place on dual military-medical installations. Harden vulnerable targets...perpetrators may mask themselves to gain entry
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Recognize the heightened value that far-right, anti-govt, and accelerationist terrorists might place on dual military-medical installations. Harden vulnerable targets...perpetrators may mask themselves to gain entry
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7) Don't lose sight of CT:
Domestic extremists have used the coronavirus to radicalize and redirect their focus; counterterrorism should therefore remain an important concern during and while recovering from the coronavirus crisis.
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Domestic extremists have used the coronavirus to radicalize and redirect their focus; counterterrorism should therefore remain an important concern during and while recovering from the coronavirus crisis.
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