Can the U.S. Prevent Future Acts of Domestic Terrorism?

Can the U.S. Prevent Future Acts of Domestic Terrorism?
A Research Study of Extremist Terrorism and the Role of the U.S. Intelligence Community

Pete Dwyer
03/20/2012
Thesis / Research Paper
GWU Security & Safety Leadership

Abstract of Project While terrorism is not a new phenomenon to the human race, the past ten years have ushered in a previously unfamiliar rise in terrorism attacks on U.S. domestic soil. This problem has posed a significant challenge to U.S. national security which both government and commercial entities have so far struggled to adequately address and prevent.
This research project focuses on the rise in domestic terrorism in the U.S. over the last decade, beginning with the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The 9/11 attacks provide a starting point to compare and contrast findings from subsequent acts of domestic terrorism in order to evaluate improvements (and lack thereof) over the same period of time. Findings include action and behavior trends by terrorists and intelligence community/law enforcement personnel in a number of high-profile terrorist cases. Gathered research can provide substantial proof as to the government’s (i.e. intelligence community’s) ability to prevent or at least capably respond to future acts of terrorism in the U.S.

Table of Contents
Introduction.……………………………………………………………………………………...1
Argument and Approach………………………………………………………………………..4
Literature Review………………………………………………………………………………..7
Methodology…………………………………………………………………………………….12
Research…………………………………………………………………………………………16 Case 1: Christmas 2009 Northwest Airlines Underwear Bomber…………………….…16
Case 2: 2009 Fort Hood Lone Terrorist Shooting……………………...…………………23
Case 3: 2009 Fountain Place Bombing Attempt in Dallas, Texas…..……………………31 Case 4: 2010 New York City Times Square Bomber………………..…….……………...39
Findings………………………………………………………………………………………….45
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………56
References……………………………………………………………………………………….59

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