Research for Counter-Terrorism

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Cyberspace and Violent Non-State Groups: Uses, Capabilities, and Threats
September 26, 2011

For the US armed forces, cyberspace—defined by DoD as “a global domain within the information environment ”—is more than just a medium for communication. It is increasingly understood as a realm for war-fighting.1 Cyberwarfare, according to two leading students of the subject, includes the denial of services central to an adversary’s military operations, “from logistics support to actual warfighting systems, and might [also] include rapid, coordinated attacks to deny network connectivity.”

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The Naval Militia: A Neglected Asset?
July 1, 2007
The naval cognate of the National Guard, with both state and federal service obligations, the Naval Militia played a significant role in the nation’s maritime preparedness for more than a quarter of a century before being largely replaced by the Naval Reserve and passing virtually out of existence. In the post-Cold War period, and particularly since the onset of the Global War on Terrorism, interest in the Naval Militia has been rising, and the institution has been revived or is in the process of being revived in several states. In some other state the topic is somewhat controversial, as some complex legal and political issues may be involved. On the whole, however, reinstituting the Naval Militia may be of considerable benefit to the nation, the states, the reservist, and the naval service, providing a “force multiplier” in domestic emergencies and homeland defense.
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Islam in Indonesia's Political Future
September 1, 2002
Indonesia, the largest Muslim-majority country in the world, has experienced an unprecedented Islamic resurgence since the 1980s, as more Indonesians displayed their piety publicly and became more religiously observant. The predominant disposition among Muslims remained moderate and tolerant, committed to a pluralist government and to democracy. Beginning in the 1990s, however, former President Soeharto courted extremist Muslim groups to protect his power base. After his fall in 1998, hardline Islamists, including paramilitary militias, gained a level of influence far greater than their numbers would warrant, and today represent a serious challenge to the stability of Indonesia and to U.S. interests. They are not likely to gain power through elections, but will be able to influence some government policies and actions. Among the extremists, a relatively small number of Muslims, many of Yemeni ancestry, are prime candidates for al Qaeda links. U.S. assistance in critical areas, including media skills and outreach, to the two mainstream Islamic mass organizations can help the moderate mainstream regain its voice and influence
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