Upheaval in the Era of Populism

In this era of Populism it is not difficult to imagine all kinds of upsets and upheavals.  This is my take on what you can expect in the way of terror attacks in the USA, whether or not Trump’s immigration plan, whatever that turns out to be, is adopted or not.  My point of reference is Israel, where there is no lack of IDF, Border Police and Security Services, and whose borders are pretty much sealed and whose citizenry have a heightened sense of alertness.

 The USA has recently experienced lone wolf terrorist attacks:

San Bernardino, Califirnia, December 2, 2015, American born Syed Rizwan Farook and Permanent resident Tashfeen Malik, shot and killed 14 people and seriously injured 22 others in a terrorist attack.

Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016. Omar Mateen, 29, opened fire at a gay nightclub, killing 49 and injuring 53.

St. Cloud, Minnesota, September 17, 2016. Dahir Ahmed Adan, a 20-year-old Somali refugee, began hacking at people with a steak knife at a Minnesota mall, injuring nine people.

New York City/New Jersey, September 17, 2016. Ahmad Khan Rahami, a 28-year-old naturalized citizen from Afghanistan, set off multiple bombs in New York and New Jersey. In Chelsea, his bomb resulted in the injury of over 30 people.

Columbus, Ohio, November 28, 2016. Abdul Razak Ali Artan, He began hacking at people with a butcher knife before being shot dead by a campus police officer. He injured 11 people.

 Lone wolf terror attacks are carried out by highly motivated individuals who are prompted by socio-religious concerns.  They may be immigrants or native born individuals, not nut-cases, and are very difficult to prevent.  We are not able to stop them; I can’t see the USA doing a better job than us.

 Organized Terrorist cells are another story.  Here in the Territories (sometimes referred to as the West Bank or Samaria-Judea) funding, planning and resources come from groups such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the like. We are constantly making sweeps and arrests.  Weapons such as the “Carlo” or pipe bombs are a piece of cake to fabricate and do not require any sophisticated input or large sums of money.  On the other hand, 9/11 was well planned and executed.

 Cell members, aiders and abettors do not have to come from a disenfranchised or impoverished part of the community.  They can be well-off, educated and sophisticated.  Here in Israel we have seen attorneys and members of the parliament break the law in this regard.  Constant and aggressive vigilance, secure borders, vetting of immigrants and visitors will help.  Speak to your Congressmen.

 Last year I attended a talk given by a level headed guy here in Nahariya.  Years ago, he had lost his wife and two children in a terrorist attack.  The Jihadis had come from the sea.  In the question and answer period after the talk, his concluding remark was: get yourself a weapon and protect your family.   The NRA not withstanding, It is good advice