Jihadist Tactics and Targeting

Examining the Characteristics That Differentiate Jihadi-Associated Cyberattacks Using Routine Activities Theory

“…In addition to this broad targeting of Western civilization, jihadist groups have expressed intentions to attack targets that will deal significant damage to the U.S. economy (Forest & Salama, 2008;Heickero ¨, 2014). For example, in email correspondence between Al-Muhajiroun leader Omar Bakri Muhammad and Al-Qaeda sympathizers in 2005, one document stated, "Within the foreseeable future you will see attacks directed towards the Exchange.…”

“…Other jihadist leaders such as Osama Bin Laden allegedly impressed this objective upon subordinates and sympathizers to encourage attacks on targets that would yield high economic losses (Denning, 2011;Heickero ¨, 2014). These leaders believe that attacks with expensive outcomes will directly harm the economy and compel the United States to dedicate more funding to protecting the nation's infrastructure (Forest & Salama, 2008). Such steps would reduce funding for the military and their endeavors in the Middle East (Forest & Salama, 2008).…”

“…These leaders believe that attacks with expensive outcomes will directly harm the economy and compel the United States to dedicate more funding to protecting the nation's infrastructure (Forest & Salama, 2008). Such steps would reduce funding for the military and their endeavors in the Middle East (Forest & Salama, 2008).…”

Jihadists’ Use and Pursuit of Weapons of Mass Destruction: A Comparative Study of Al-Qaeda and Islamic State’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Weapons Programs

“…3 Salama and Forest provide an understanding of the motivations for the use of WMD by Al-Qaeda and the role of WMD in Al-Qaeda's target selection calculus and a possible threat evaluation for the group's use of WMD. 4 Similarly, Dean, Cruickshank and Lister's book provides an in-depth view of Al-Qaeda's CBRN program from the lens of an individual who was actively part of the program 5 and Lia provides a detailed analysis of the program in terms of its typology and ideological motivations from the perspective of Al-Qaeda strategist and WMD expert, Abu Musab al-Suri. 6 Similarly, for IS, there have been a number of studies focusing primarily on its chemical weapons activity rather than the actual programs itself.…”