Terrorism and Radicalization

Terrorist groups derive financial support from legal sources and illegal sources. Legal sources include

• Donation- in the Islamic community, individuals have an obligatory contribution known as zakat. The purpose of Zakat is to support the poor but the money is used in illegal ways such as supporting terrorists (Commonwealth Secretariat, 2005). There are other thousands of charities where the organizations raise funds that are used to support illegal activities.
• Charitable organizations-organizations such as non-profit organizations raise funds and use it for terrorist purposes. The charitable organizations are established for the purpose of meeting the needs of needy people but recent research and studies have found that the organizations are connected with terrorist organizations and they support them in military operations (Commonwealth Secretariat, 2005).
• Ordinary businesses- terrorist operate legitimate businesses such as agriculture. They generate revenue from these businesses and use the profit to support terrorist activities.
• Investments- Terrorists invest in stocks, real estate, industries, honey shops, among other various businesses.

 

Illegal sources

• Drug trafficking- terrorist groups export illicit drugs such as heroin, opium, and cocaine across the world. The generated revenue supports terrorist activities.
• Kidnap and extortion- Terrorist groups take property by force and this cause financial loss to the affected parties. They use the funds and property to run a business that supports terrorist activities (Commonwealth Secretariat, 2005).
• Smuggling-terrorist groups use distribution networks to move goods from one country to another and the money is deposited in the banking system and transferred to different financial institutions.
• Cheque fraud-terrorists use unlawful checks to borrow funds
• Credit card fraud- terrorists use credit card details of another person such as billing address, security number, and holder's names to access cash and finance their illegal activities.
• Legitimate accounts-terrorists have different accounts in different banks and these deliver substantial value.
• Dormant accounts- terrorist use dormant accounts to borrow money and receive monies from aboard.

 

Tracking and stopping the sources of terrorism funding is important in that once the sources of funding are blocked, there will be a reduction in the threat of violence and the nations will have the ability to achieve their political and religious goals (Lutz J & Lutz B, 2013). Rather than tracking the terrorist groups, it is important to address the issue of money source and track down the financial transactions. Note that eliminating the sources of financial support will reduce the ability of the groups to conduct their activities. The governments, as well as the intelligence agencies, should join hands in identifying the groups such as charities and organization that channel funds and prohibit them from contributing to terrorists (Lutz J & Lutz B, 2013).  Tracking and stooping will make financial supporters become less committed and less supportive.

Paths and routes that individuals take as they decide to become terrorists are; first, individuals have personal desire to join terrorism, second, individuals make personal decision to remain on the group, and third, individuals make personal decisions to abandon terrorism (White, 2012). The major factors that influence individuals during the path to radicalization are individual factors, social factors, and psychological factors. Individuals factors mean that individual view and interpret the world differently and they do not rely on the views of society. They decide for themselves whether to participate in violent acts or not.  Social factors mean that individuals may form a group and develop social expression. The influence of other people has an impact on an individual. On psychological factors, individuals may be influenced by attitudes and beliefs to adopt certain radical views (White, 2012).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

 

Commonwealth Secretariat. (2005). Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing: A

Model of Best Practice for the Financial Sector, the Professions and Other Designated

Businesses. London: Commonwealth Secretariat Library.

 

Lutz James,. & Lutz Brenda. (2013). Global Terrorism. Routledge

 

White, J. R. (2012). Terrorism and homeland security. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage \         Learning.