UK Counterintelligence Agency MI5: No Terrorist Profile
Found via Schneier on Security.
According to the Guardian, the UK’s counterintelligence agency MI5′s Behavioural Science Unit wrote a report, “Understanding radicalisation and extremism in the UK.” The report concludes what security experts have long known: There is no terrorist profile.
MI5 has concluded that there is no easy way to identify those who become involved in terrorism in Britain, according to a classified internal research document on radicalisation seen by the Guardian.
The sophisticated analysis, based on hundreds of case studies by the security service, says there is no single pathway to violent extremism.
Consider the many differences among Timothy McVeigh, the Unabomber, and the perpetrators of the July 2005 bombings in London. It is clear that there is no such thing as the “typical terrorist,” and it is important for both security forces and the public to understand this. This will help to combat prejudices or stereotypes that can cloud intelligent and thorough investigations. More from the Guardian:
The main findings include:
• The majority are British nationals and the remainder, with a few exceptions, are here legally. Around half were born in the UK, with others migrating here later in life. Some of these fled traumatic experiences and oppressive regimes and claimed UK asylum, but more came to Britain to study or for family or economic reasons and became radicalised many years after arriving.
• Far from being religious zealots, a large number of those involved in terrorism do not practise their faith regularly. Many lack religious literacy and could actually be regarded as religious novices. Very few have been brought up in strongly religious households, and there is a higher than average proportion of converts. Some are involved in drug-taking, drinking alcohol and visiting prostitutes. MI5 says there is evidence that a well-established religious identity actually protects against violent radicalisation.
• The “mad and bad” theory to explain why people turn to terrorism does not stand up, with no more evidence of mental illness or pathological personality traits found among British terrorists than is found in the general population.
• British-based terrorists are as ethnically diverse as the UK Muslim population, with individuals from Pakistani, Middle Eastern and Caucasian backgrounds. MI5 says assumptions cannot be made about suspects based on skin colour, ethnic heritage or nationality. [...]
• Far from being lone individuals with no ties, the majority of those over 30 have steady relationships, and most have children.
The Guardian has an editorial accompanying the story, which is interesting, as well.
The note itself, meanwhile, offers both a dispassionate and troubling analysis, at the heart of which is the recognition that there are no simple answers or easy levers to pull in combating the current surge of violent extremism in this country.
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August 20th, 2009 at 8:47 am
It is blatantly obvious that MI5 are the terrorists. The UK establishment is the most evil on Earth.
From: A caucasion Brit.
December 14th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
they can be beat ……they don’t trust they’re own field agents