Monday, October 6, 2014
Was arrested teen on his way to join ISIS?
This article is about a nineteen year boy who decided to flee his home in the Chicago suburbs in order to join ISIS. The young man named Mohammed Khan told his family in a letter left behind that he felt "obligated" to migrate. Police found drawings of the black ISIS flag and a notebook including a sketch of an ISIS fighter accompanied by words in Arabic: "Come to Jihad" at his home. Khan planned on moving and living in ISIS territory. He faces charges of a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. This article is relevant because oh how Obama recently stated the United states would take action against ISIS and authorize missile strikes.
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While I am torn between the idea of societal choice and personal choice, I can see how the article clearly points out the idea that ISIS uses media to attract followers. Humnas by nature want to feel safe and the extremist method that ISIS uses in their videos helps to demonstrate this power they want to hae and the fear that they have generated for others. This teen, however much a criminal is following the instinctive path of going where he feels most confortable. I believe that one of the ways to combat this viral victimization of Americans is to increase the reasurance of the American people that what we are facing is able to be controleed. The media only exploits the power that ISIS has by showing the videos and scaring people, because that is how they make a profit. I think it is important to believe in the power of the world as a whole to combat the wrongs of terrorism.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kellen that I am also not sure whether or not this teen is a criminal considering he hasn't actually committed any criminal acts yet. Additionally, if he wants to join ISIS I guess one could make the argument that he has the right to. Personally, I believe that is a terrible idea and that no one in their right mind would agree to fight against the ideals of their own country and culture. They are truly "troubled souls." ISIS is smart though and I think that the media is a good way to attract and persuade young americans. We need to convince youths that they are safer in this country than they are joining ISIS. I think some people have the mindset that if you cant beat them join them, and they think ISIS isn't beatable.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the previous comments. I think that the maximum sentence that the teen faces is a little harsh, but I think that America has every right to charge Khan. He is planning to join the terrorist group ISIS. We as a country have every right to combat terroristic groups who murder our citizens. By arresting and charging the teen, I see it as us preventing another terroristic incident from occurring.
ReplyDeleteThe very notion that this person is, in fact, a victim in this situation is absurd and reveals an out-of-place and ultimately toxic vein of compassion in our society when dealing with the issue of domestic terrorism. Being an American citizen, Khan is entitled to the full protection of the constitution, however if convicted he should absolutely be subject to the maximum sentence. Our government should be doing everything in it's power and capacity to curb domestic recruitment and outlets for extremism in the United States, within reason. Finally, there is really only one lesson to take away from this: these "Americans" are just as evil, deplorable, and ACCOUNTABLE as those recruited in the Middle East and they deserve equal treatment.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Haley. Despite the fact that he didn't 'do' anything, he could easily be charged with espionage or treason because he planned on joining a terrorist organization that targets America specifically. Honestly, anyone who does or even attempts to harm American people should be convicted to the fullest extent of the law. Terrorism is not acceptable and anyone involved in these organizations should be made an example once caught. I understand that they use the media to lure people in, but so do cereal companies, and I don't find myself drawn to Lucky Charms even though they have really cool commercials. I have no sympathy for this kid, honestly.
ReplyDeleteIgnoring for a moment that Khan was apparently trying to join ISIS, I feel compelled to ask why these federal agents stopped and searched him. The article gives no indication that Khan was acting suspiciously at the airport. The only evidence it gives of him being involved was obtained after he was searched. Did the parents contact the authorities? Or was he stopped because he 'looked suspicious'? I'm just pointing out that, while these agents may have been lucky in searching someone who was actually trying to make contact with ISIS, it won't always be the case that someone of a certain race attempting to go to Istanbul is guilty of anything, and maybe next time the authorities should have more to go on before they search someone.
ReplyDeleteI think that everyone has the right to do what they want but that doesn't mean I think what this teen did is okay. He clearly has issues if he wanted to join ISIS so a part of me pities him but in the end he did chose to do this and it is no one's but his fault. His sentence is a bit harsh for him not committing any crime but Ethan is right that he could be charged for something else. I think our country has the right and responsibility to protect the other millions of Americans and in this case they did it by preventing harm. I do wonder why they decided to search him and his house in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mackenzie, I am also not sure if Khan has committed any crime yet. I am also wondering the same thing as Nia. How did the police know that Khan had these plans in mind. If the parents did not say anything, then how did authorities have an idea of what he was up to. I don't agree that the sentence is harsh. If he is convicted of committing a crime that can potentially put many American lives in danger, then he should be given the punishment he deserves.
ReplyDeleteI fully support the government taking action and not letting him go to Syria to join ISIS. They without a doubt just saved this young mans life. The thing with ISIS and what makes them so dangerous is their influence on the youth throughout the middle east and even the world. They recruit these kids that just want acceptance in a group and because for them it sounds like the right decision at the time. The government did the right thing by stepping in and saying no we wont let you join because that is where the true problem lies with this terrorist organization. Bomb strikes will slow and cripple ISIS but if we truly want to stop them the course of action needs to be in preventing the youth from joining.
ReplyDeleteThis is not the first time Americans have been recruited by overseas terrorists organizations. In the past, Al Queda has contacted American citizens, and now ISIS seems to be following suit. ISIS is relying heavily on social media as a forum to post their fear-mongering videos of executions and to contact "candidates" such as Khan. I think it is definitely a priority for the government to monitor the internet to prevent Americans from following these jihadist extremists. The scary truth is that if there are westerners who are willing to travel overseas to fight for ISIS, there are also westerners who are willing to serve as an ISIS member here
ReplyDeleteI think Khan did commit a crime by intending to aid a terrorist organization. As Nia pointed out, though, I'm not sure why he was searched in the first place. Was he "randomly searched" or was there already a warrant for his arrest? Also, I'm curious as to what the "American efforts to combat ISIS' powerful online message" are. It's described in the article like two feuding sides in some reddit form, trying to convince a handful of teens whether or not to join a terrorist organization. I wonder what exactly the government is coordinating online to convince disaffected youths not to join ISIS.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Olivia that if there are Americans willing to join ISIS there, there are Americans willing to join ISIS here. It's terrifying to think that someone could so quickly turn against their country. That is why I agree that the govenrment was right to charge Khan for attempting to join ISIS. He may not have done anything when they arrested him, but he was going to if they hadn't. Like Andy said, it is important for our government to send the message that it is unacceptable for Americans to become jihadists.
ReplyDeleteI find what Nia said about the motives for searching Khan very interesting and important. Also, I definitely believe that the young man's intentions would be enough to seriously incriminate him. People don't have the right to do whatever they want, when you think about it. I don't see how our government can do anything more to discourage people from becoming jihadists than to deal harshly with those who intend to. The majority of people here aren't going to flock to ISIS.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this article highlights a serious issue in the United States. It is unfortunate that ISIL has so much influence in the minds of youths, but I do not know of any way to combat this without also infringing upon freedom of speech. What the government can do, however, is remain vigilant and keep their eyes open for cases like this. It is clear that this teen is a criminal, and that he does deserve to be incarcerated. He expressed the intent to join a terrorist organization, which means that he also supports the idea of aiding these enemies who have and will continue to kill Americans. There is no excuse for such behavior, and there is clear reason why Khan should be punished. It is unacceptable for a citizen of the United States to be willing to support a terrorist organization that has stated many times that it will do anything to destroy our nation.
ReplyDeleteRecently, several cases have sprung up throughout the country, detailing the "conversion" of young Americans to radical Islam. This article highlights just one of many manifestations of how ISIS is winning the propaganda war against the West. Based purely on the juxtaposition of their recently published forms of multimedia, it would appear that ISIS is more powerful and sincere than the U.S. government. Obviously, this is false (well, at least the powerful part), but a troubled, out-of-touch young person could (and apparently did) perceive it to be reality. Regardless of why he was searched, the abundance of evidence suggesting Khan's malicious intent justifies locking him up for quite a bit of time; attempting to provide material aid to a foreign terrorist organization is clearly illegal. Thankfully, he was caught before making it outside of our jurisdiction, at which point he would have been able to join the terrorist group. Some of these "home-grown terrorists" have, in fact, made it to Iraq and Syria to assist in ISIS's military operations, all while carrying valid American passports. About a month ago, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) proposed legislation that would automatically renounce U.S. citizenship from Americans who succeed in doing what Khan attempted to do (http://www.cruz.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1678), but the Senate decided not to consider the bill.
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