America’s ISIS wannabes are increasingly focused on waging jihad in the United States instead of becoming foreign fighters overseas, a new analysis of terrorism suspects arrested in the last 15 months shows.
The study by Fordham Law School’s Center on National Security found that before March, ISIS-related cases were “largely comprised of alleged foreign fighters” who wanted to join the Islamic State abroad.
“Beginning in late March 2015, there has been a substantial increase in cases involving individuals accused of plotting attacks in the United States in the name of ISIS. Out of the 59 individuals, 17 are domestic plotters, 15 of whom were identified or indicted since late March 2015,” the study says.
It’s unclear if the numbers reflect a shift in the mindset of ISIS sympathizers or a change in who is being arrested. But many of the newer plots are in line with a communiqué that ordered followers to attack Americans and other westerners after the U.S.-led coalition began bombing ISIS positions in September 2014.
“Smash his head with a rock, or slaughter him with a knife, or run him over with your car, or throw him down from a high place, or choke him, or poison him,” the communique from ISIS spokesman Abu Mohammad al-Adnani said.
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