Terrorist group formation is a widespread and vitally important issue to research due to the potential of understanding the inner forces of terroristic organizations, which fosters the capabilities of successfully fighting against them. Kaplan (2008) refers to the Four-Wave theory developed by Rapoport to add a fifth previously lacking wave, which is, unlike four international ones, is based within one state. The establishment of the fifth wave is characterized by particular features that allow for understanding the ideology behind such domestic terrorist groups’ activity.
The fifth wave of terrorism includes domestic terroristic organizations derived from their international patrons and directed their activity inward. As the characteristics of establishing a terroristic group of such nature demonstrate, foreign ideas or religious beliefs influence these groups. However, due to some reasons, they “have turned inward … and sought to realize a utopian vision of a radically perfected society on the local level” (Kaplan, 2008, p. 12). Other characteristics involve identifying the precise origin and a catalyzing event, upon which a group breaks away from an established international terrorist organization. Break-aways are usually radical, violent, legalistic, and authoritarian (Kaplan, 2008). An example of an actual terroristic group established in the USA is the Base. This is a right-wing neo-Nazi terror accelerationist group that is originated from al-Qaeda, which functions on large territories across the country (Jones et al., 2020). The characteristics of this group coincide with those listed for the fifth wave.
To summarize, terrorist groups’ establishment expands beyond the commonly perceived international level but impacts the domestic sphere. The theory of four-wave terroristic groups is broadened by Kaplan (2008) to include break-away organizations that pursue disruptive goals within the state. Specific measures based on evidence and research need to be implemented to eliminate terroristic groups like the Base and others from the list of significant threats to national security.
References
Jones, S. G., Doxsee, C., & Harrington, N. (2020). The escalating terrorism problem in the United States. CSIS Briefs.
Kaplan, J. (2008). Terrorism’s fifth wave: A theory, a conundrum and a dilemma. Perspectives on Terrorism, 2(2), 12-24.