Description
In this module, we will revisit the challenge/contrarian family of structured analytical techniques (SATs) that you applied in MPAI 610, The Psychology of Applied Intelligence. This particular group of SATs includes various “alternative analysis” techniques as called for by the Congress in 2004’s Intelligence Reform Act. Challenge techniques can be used throughout the research process, but they are particularly useful for questioning the current thinking and exploring alternative outcomes.
We will conduct a Team A/Team B exercise, in which you will be placed in one of two groups and asked to represent one of two positions regarding whether groups like The Pack present a national threat. Each group will be assigned a position, and will address whether or not domestic right wing groups (such as The Pack) have the ability to mobilize within the country, as well as garner support at the international level.
Each group member will have to work together to support the assigned position with sound reasoning and research.Exercise Topic: We have seen evidence that jihadist groups are able to mobilize efficiently; are groups like The Pack able to do so as well, with the same level of efficiency? If not, why not? If so, how do they mobilize? What does their coordination look like both within the U.S. and outside of the U.S.?
Prior to beginning the exercise, read the articles listed on page 2 of this module.
In order to make the teams smaller and, thus, the exercise more interactive, there will be more than 1 identical Team A/B exercises, depending upon how many students are in this course. Please click the “People” link on the course menu to see which team you are assigned to for this activity. You will participate in the exercise as follows: Team A1 will debate Team B1, Team A2 will debate Team B2, and so on.
‘A’ teams will argue that groups like The Pack do have the ability to mobilize with the same level of efficiency that jihadist groups, such as ISIS, have demonstrated.
‘B’ teams will argue that groups like The Pack do not have the ability to mobilize with the same level of efficiency that jihadist groups, such as ISIS, have demonstrated.
During each phase of this SAT, you will use the “Team A/B: Debate & Discussion Forum” to communicate with the team with which you are paired . Click on Discussions in the course menu and locate the Team A/B: Debate & Discussion Forum in the list of discussion boards. Feel free to review the submissions of the other groups in the class as well.
Part 1:
By 11:59 PM EST on Wednesday, a representative from each of the teams will post a two-page description of its position to the Team A/B: Debate & Discussion Forum. The document should articulate the logic behind your team’s position, identify any assumptions that are implicit within your argument, cite evidence, and present signposts for your team’s position. Please feel free to offer an encapsulation of your position as well. ‘A’ teams and ‘B’ teams will view one another’s positions and begin to prepare a response.
ROUGH DRAFT—-
Position: The Pack does not have the ability to mobilize with the same level of efficiency that jihadist groups, such as ISIS, have demonstrated.
Assumptions:
The Pack operates in the same way as other far-right and white supremacist extremist groups.
The Pack has the desire/intention to mobilize on a large scale
Billy Payne tensions the de facto leader of The Pack from prison
Main Argument Points:
IS and AQ ideology stems from religious ideology, which is inherently strong and embedded in middle east society. PACK does not operate in a similar religious ideology to the same scale.
PACK operates similarly to criminal gangs, which further isolates themselves from appealing to the masses like IS and AQ can do
PACK’s ideology doesn’t glorify terrorism through a religious perspective like AQ/IS
(Mulligan, et. Al, 2021) The most prevalent tactics currently used in furtherance of white supremacist violence are:
Online outreach, organizing, and fundraising
Formation and support of transnational networks
In-person engagement
Recruiting and infiltration of military and veterans’ communities
Recruiting and infiltration of law enforcement communities
(Mulligan, et. Al, 2021)White supremacists use internet-based platforms, websites, and social spaces to propagate their narratives, reach new members, organize, and fundraise. They use both mainstream online platforms, which reach a wider audience, and smaller, more niche platforms that allow for more overtly violent content and discussion.31 Social media posts and interactions have been used to connect with individuals and engage them in “light” white supremacy and misogyny under the veil of jokes and “normal” online activity.32 Further online community engagement, and even algorithm-driven recommendations, amplify increasingly white supremacist messages and push users to more extreme content, channels, and forums.33 White supremacists are also using the internet to reach out to groups with shared grievances, engaging heavily with QAnon communities and capitalizing on anti-government views prompted by mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic
This reads somewhat similar to Al Qaeda recruiting handguide
(Mulligan) The availability of online spaces for communication and coordination has allowed international networking in the global white supremacist movement.
(Mulligan) The white supremacist movement is an avenue for foreign state actors to facilitate violence in the United States as well. The leader of a neo-Nazi group called “The Base” and the founder of The Daily Stormer have run their operations, promoting white supremacy in the United States, from Russia.42 There are also reports of American white supremacists receiving tactical training in Ukraine.43 Additionally, the FBI is reportedly investigating foreign financial support for efforts to organize the January 6 insurrection.
(Byman, D. and Pitcavage, M., 2021) In contrast to jihadist groups like al-Qaida at its peak, American white supremacists
lack a haven from which to operate; their international ties are also weaker than those of jihadist
organizations. The white supremacist movement is also highly divided, and members disagree as to
who their primary enemies are and how they should attack them. In addition, they enjoy little public
support, and their violence usually backfires, making the movement less popular.
(Byman) Resources don’t match desires section-p. 5.
(Jones, Doxsee, & Harrington, 2020) There are three broad types of right-wing terrorist individuals and networks in the United States: white supremacists, anti-government extremists, and incels. There are numerous differences between (and even within) these types, such as ideology, capabilities, tactics, and level of threat. Adherents also tend to blend elements from each category. But there are some commonalities.
First, terrorists in all of these categories operate under a decentralized model. The threats from these networks comes from individuals, not groups. For example, anti-government activist and white supremacist Louis Beam advocated for an organizational structure that he termed “leaderless resistance” to target the U.S. government.
(Jones, Doxsee, & Harrington, 2020) White supremacist networks are highly decentralized.
References
Byman, D. And Pitcavage, M. (2021, April). IDENTIFYING AND EXPLOITING THE WEAKNESSES
OF THE WHITE SUPREMACIST MOVEMENT. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/…
Jones, S., Doxsee, C., & Harrington, N. (2020, June 17). The Escalating Terrorism Problem in the United States. Center for Strategic & International Studies. https://www.csis.org/analysis/escalating-terrorism…
Mulligan, et. Al. (2021). A National Policy Blueprint To End White Supremacist Violence. Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/national-…
MY PORTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT
PACK operates similarly to criminal gangs, which further isolates themselves from appealing to the masses like IS and AQ can do
500 WORDS OR LESS
