Extremists using digital ‘call to arms’ in US

Counterterrorism officials are ramping up their concerns about the ability of foreign extremists to turn Americans into terrorists via the Internet. The attack at a “Draw Mohammed” event in Garland (TX) in May “exemplifies the call to arms approach employed by ISIL, along with the power of viral messaging,” Michael Steinbach, the FBI’s top counterterrorism official, told members of Congress. “Social media is yet the latest tool exploited by terrorists,” he added. For months, The group’s social media prowess -- which includes the use of slick marketing and the sophisticated ability to latch onto trending topics -- has helped direct foreigners to launch “lone wolf” attacks from thousands of miles away.

Ahead of the May Texas attack, for instance, an ISIS supporter posted a link to an article with information about the event, in which people were asked to draw the Prophet Mohammed. Muslims consider depictions of Mohammed deeply offensive. One of the Americans involved in that Texas attack then reached out to the ISIS supporter and appeared to advertise their violence mere hours before the attack, using the hashtag “#TexasAttack.” “This event highlights the growing threat our nation faces from a new generation of terrorist, often operating from afar, who use social media to find like-minded individuals within our borders,” deputy director of the National Counterterrorism Center, John Mulligan, said during the hearing in the House Homeland Security Committee.