The Individualization of the Attack. Characteristics of the Islamic State's Terrorist Strategy in Western Europe; [Die Individualisierung des Attentats: Charakteristika der terroristischen Gewaltstrategie des »islamischen Staates« in Westeuropa]

Abstract

Based on 45 attacks in eight Western European states between May 2014 and the end of 2018 the article aims at characterizing the terrorist strategy of the so-called Islamic State (IS). Particular attention is paid to the fact that 37 of the evaluated attacks were carried out by lone actors, mostly by using the simplest technical means. This »individualization of the attack« which was already previously promoted within the jihadist movement lies at the core of the analysis. On the one hand, the spectrum of different types of lone actors will be differentiated since the relationship to the IS and its radical milieu varies greatly. On the other hand, pros and cons of this approach for terrorist organizations as well as challenges for the state's security institutions are discussed. At the same time, the way how the IS operates also allows for assumptions about its organizational and operational abilities. © Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH und Co KG. All Rights Reserved.