Dean Alexander has spent years researching ISIS in his role as a Professor of Homeland Security at Western Illinois University. ISIS, also known as the Islamic State, seems to have replaced al-Qaeda as the major threat to America and its allies.The group’s first attack on U.S. soil took place in May of this year when two gunmen opened fire on a “Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest” near Dallas. While no one but the gunmen was killed in this particular attack, Alexander said the Islamic State’s ability to affect lives in the U.S. should not be underestimated.
“You’ve seen American journalists have been targeted, beheaded. You’ve had individuals here that have been inspired to try to travel to Iraq and Syria and join the group, as well as try to send money. Others have undertaken attacks here on U.S. soil, and that’s a growing concern,” Alexander said.
Alexander said it’s clear that ISIS is recruiting increasing numbers of people and influencing even more. Some of them are brought into the fold through social media.
“They utilize Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, [and] YouTube to set out images of the group as a victor…they try to craft this image that they are successful and that people from around the globe should leave their communities and join the caliphate,” Alexander said.
Some reports indicate ISIS has more than 40,000 active Twitter accounts.
Alexander said a multi-pronged approach will be need to combat the Islamic State. "One is obviously the military responses, but there are also responses in terms of undermining the financing of terror groups, as well as reduce the frequency of foreign fighters. Reduce the radicalization and recruitment here and abroad," he said.
Alexander has co-authored a book about the fight against ISIS. The Islamic State: Combating the Caliphate Without Borders will be published in September and is available for preorder here.
