The Nashville Shooter: The Unimportant Message of a Killer 

[27/03/2023]

Yesterday another school shooting occurred in Nashville, Tennessee. Another senseless attack occurred, killing six people, three of whom were children. The shooter, now identified as twenty-eight-year-old Aiden Hale was transgender and a former student. Hale was killed by police on the scene. The media have reported that Hale had planned this attack methodically, even indicating that there was a secondary attack location, which was not attacked due to the high security. The shooting was so pre-meditated that Hale had written a manifesto and suicide note, which he posted to Instagram. There has also been a lot of speculation about the justification for the shooting. The school was a Presbyterian elementary school, which Hale attended, many believing this could be a possible motive. (Archive and feed, 2023) As I am writing this the details of the manifesto have not been released. 

Children Being Escorted out of the Nashville School [Source: ABC News]

The Dangers of the Media

Many across social media platforms want to know the details of the manifesto, which allegedly included detailed maps of the school. Apart from horrific, vile curiosity by the media, the contents of this manifesto are meaningless. With a lone wolf, non-affiliated terrorist, there is no meaning to their attack. Any political, cultural or religious motivations this single person had are just meaningless ramblings. Even in a preventative sense, the message is unimportant as the killer was a lone gunman. Due to the fact the shooter was transgender, many online have gotten into vicious comment wars about the rights of the LGBTQ community. This misses the point entirely. Any deeper message this shooter wanted to portray is void. Nobody is going to take it seriously and rightfully so. 

Discussions around this manifesto have seemingly trumped the fatalities and the wider gun issues in America. Any crazy person who kills multiple children should not have their deluded manifesto put on such a pedestal. There should be no divide across the internet, this was not about the LGBTQ+ community, it was simply an unhinged person committing an atrocity. Instead, the wider media should focus on the six innocent fatalities. Six people were killed for no reason. 

After such a tragic event, the US needs to ask itself; how important are firearms to us? The shooter had used multiple guns which they had legally acquired. At what point will lawmakers see that enough is enough? Gun control needs to be dialled up. Schools introducing bizarre pull-out panic rooms and bulletproof blankets for students are glaringly wrong solutions, to a problem with a clear answer. It's time for lawmakers to put an end to the massive amount of firearm deaths within their country. Owning an automatic firearm should not be something possible. 

With domestic attacks, no matter how intriguing it may be to understand the motives, it's important to not lose sight of the tragedy and loss of life. What is written in that manifesto is not as important as those who have lost their lives or the broader issues that allow these attacks to take place. With attacks like these being almost a weekly occurrence, US Lawmakers need to take action. When will enough be enough? Lone wolf attackers should not be put on a pedestal in any way, no matter what community they are a part of. Doing so will simply encourage unhinged, fame-hungry, potential terrorists to act. The traditional and social media need to stop putting so much attention on the shooters, instead focussing on those who so tragically, lost their lives. 

We will keep updating this story in the coming days as more information is released. 

My thoughts and condolences go to those that lost their lives in the attack and their loved ones. Those that lost their lives were Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, William Kinney, Mike Hill, Cynthia Peak and Katherine Koonce.

References

Archive, V.A. and feed, G. author R. (2023). Nashville school shooter Audrey Hale identified as transgender and had detailed manifesto to attack Christian academy. [online] Available at: https://nypost.com/2023/03/27/nashville-school-shooter-audrey-hale-identified-as-transgender-and-had-detailed-manifesto-to-attack-christian-academy/.

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4 Trump, the Far Right and Waco [25/03/2022]*

Trump, the Far Right and Waco [25/03/2022]

Donald Trump has always been a far-right Republican. His harsh, racist immigration policy on Muslims entering the country and his rallying of the January 6th insurrection, demonstrate his lean toward the far-right extreme. After he failed in the 2020 election, Trump asserted himself as an extremely far-right candidate for the 2024 elections. He held meetings with white supremacists Nick Fuentes and announced that his first campaign rally will be held in Waco, Texas. To the extreme far right in America, Waco holds a huge amount of significance. In this article, I will examine the significance of Waco to the American far right, following terror attacks inspired by the Siege at Waco and how this demonstrates Trump's far-right appeal. 

ATF supporters clashing with protestors at the Waco Siege (Source:ApImages)

The Branch Devidians

The siege at Waco ignites many passionate conversations about the power, influence and violence of federal law enforcement agencies. At its core, however, sits the ugliness of the Branch Davidian Cult. The siege on Waco did not begin on February 28th 1993, when the ATF raided the Waco compound, but in 1981, when David Karesh joined the Branch Davidians. A common misconception is that Karesh started the cult, but this is not the case. The cult was started in 1930, by the Bulgarian immigrant Victor Houteff. Houteff was dissatisfied with the Seventh-Day Adventists and believed that the true mosiah was not Jesus, but had yet to come. Houteff's teachings also included apocalyptic beliefs, telling his followers that the end of the world was imminent. Houteff would purchase a large compound in Waco, Texas, naming it Mount Carmel after the biblical holy mountain in Israel. The group would double down on their doomsday beliefs in the 1950s, after the death of Houteff. New leader Benjamin Roden claimed to have spoken to God, who told him the world would end in 1959. When this did not happen, many Branch Davidians, as they were now called, abandoned the group.

Mount Carmel Compound in Waco, Texas (Source: ApImages)

The group would see a resurgence in the early 1980s when a young man named Vernon Howell, who would later change his name to David Karesh, joined the group. Howell had become a born-again Christian, after a troubled past. He had joined the Southern Baptists and Seventh Day Adventist Movement before joining the Branch Davidians. In the group, Howell moved up the ranks quickly, possibly due to a rumoured romance between him and then-leader Lois Roden, the wife of Benjamin Roden. Howell would only become the leader of the group, after benjamin's and Lois' son, George, was arrested for murdering another leadership rival. Now with no other leadership candidates available, Vernon Howell was the leader of the Branch Davidians. 

In 1990, Howell would change his name to David Karesh after the Biblical Kings David and Cyrus, or Karesh. Karesh constantly preached doomsday prophecies to his followers. Constant religious sermons and teachings would lead to the Branch Davidians becoming a dedicated, brainwashed cult. Karesh would carry out several horrific crimes at the compound. Mainly, widespread paedophilia. Karesh would marry multiple young girls, fathering 13 children among his many wives. More concerning to law enforcement were the claims that the cult had a large stash of unregistered weapons and explosives. Karesh believed that the group should be prepared for the end of the world, so stored a massive arsenal of various guns. 

After multiple stories and rumours of large amounts of gunfire at the Mount Carmel Compound, the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco became aware of the group. They would attempt to execute a search warrant on the compound on February 28th 1993. The cult would resist the warrant, resulting in a firefight between the ATF and the Branch Davidians. In this initial firefight, 5 ATF agents were killed, 5 Davidians were killed and 16 other ATF agents were injured. This would be the start of the Waco Siege. 

References 

Carless, W. (2023) Trump holding his next rally in Waco, Texas, sends a message to the far right, experts say, USA Today. Gannett Satellite Information Network. Available at: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/03/21/trump-rally-waco-texas-history-raid-on-branch-davidian-compound/11510179002/ (Accessed: March 27, 2023). 

(Carless, 2023)

Boko Haram's New Recruitment Base in Niger 

[23/03/2023] 

In recent times, the terror organisation Boko Haram has been pushed out of its home country of Nigeria. Not just from strong Government intervention, but also from the Islamic States in the West African Province (ISWAP) group. Due to these pushbacks, Boko Hrama has found itself a new recruiting base in the neighbouring country of Niger. In this article, we will look at the battle between Boko Haram and ISWAP Organisation. In addition, we will look at the group's new base of operations in the Republic of Niger. 

A Photo of a Boko Haram Attack in 2020 [Source: Al Jazeera]

The Decline of Boko Haram

Boko Haram and ISWAP were once one united group, mainly operating in Northeastern Nigeria. It was not until 2016 that the group split. Some remained with Boko Haram, whilst others joined the new Islamic State Province; the Islamic State in the West African Province. Gradually, ISWAP became more and more of a threat to Boko Haram and the citizens of Nigeria. ISWAP has expanded and infiltrated kidnapping gangs to the North West of the country. Last year, they claimed more attacks than ever before, especially around the Lake Chad area. (Jones, 2023) Not only did Boko Haram suffer major losses in their battle with the Islamic State, but also with the Nigerian military. 

The Nigerian Military with a captured Toyota Gun Truck [Source:Vanguardngr]

In the opening weeks of 2023, there have been intense clashes between Boko Haram and the Islamic State in the Sambisa Forest of Nigeria. Not only were these two terror groups fighting here, but also the Nigerian Military. On March 26th, Nigerian forces raided six Boko Haram camps, killing an unspecified number of its members. Crucial camps in the Lake Chad area were raided and destroyed, loosening the group's control of the area. In addition to the raids and killing of terrorist operatives, the military also recovered a converted Toyota gun truck. These raids were part of Operation Hadin Kai, a large offensive against terrorist groups in the north of the country. (Marima, 2023) In addition to this military victory, over the past few years, Boko Haram has suffered major losses, not in battle but through surrender. According to Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, reported by Ozioruva Aliu (2023), "between July 2021 to May 2022 alone, no fewer than 51,828 Boko haram and their family members have surrendered, out of which 13,360 are fighters". These surrenders were incentivised by Operation Safe Corridor, which offered Boko Haram members training and other opportunities to reintegrate with society. This would have a major blow on the organisation, not only was morale at an all-time low, but it demonstrated to the Nigeration population that Government counter-terror operations were extremely effective. With significant losses on the battlefield, membership decreasing and the rising power of rival terror groups, it was clear that Boko Haram's time in Nigeria was numbered. So, it was not a surprise to the media that the group have started to build a new recruitment centre in the neighbouring country of Niger. 

Recruitment Foundations in Niger

Following the failures of Boko Haram in Nigeria, it was clear that the group needed to build a new recruitment base. So, it was hardly surprising when reports came out that Boko Haram had started building training centres in the town of Dinallahi, in Southeastern Niger. In this small village, the group have started to build hangars to act as extremist education centres for local children. Gradually, as Boko Haram entered this area, the rates of kidnapping and violence has risen significantly. 

In addition to the new potential recruits, this area is also important for other terror groups. This stretch of Niger acts as an important gateway for other groups to get to northern and Eastern African countries. If Boko Haram can asset control of this area, they can reestablish some control over their former territory. Also, having this control over such an important area can help the group regain their prestige. No longer, are they a group suffering major losses on all fronts, now they are dominant over a crucial area. (Maina, 2023) Fortunately for the people of Niger, the Nigeran military is actively fighting back against the group at the Nigerian border. The military had launched multiple counter-terror operations in the Southeastern province of Diffa, against ISWAP. In March of 2023, the Nigeran military killed 20 Boko Haram fighters on the Nigerian-Niger border. On top of that, the military captured 83 others, these were mostly family members of Boko Haram members fleeing the Islamic State. (North Africa Post, 2023)

The Future of Boko Haram

Boko Haram are at a crossroads in its history. Many terrorist groups at this stage, either find a new country, where they can rebuild, or dissolve. This push into Niger is the group's new foundation to rebuild. The Nigerian and Nigerien Governments, need to continue their successful operations against Boko Haram. Despite successful operations, many still feel that the Nigerian Government could do more to protect them. These security issues around Boko Haram and Islamic State are important issues to candidates in the ongoing Nigerian Presidential election. Continued efforts from Nigerian counter-terrorist forces are vital in stopping the group. For the Nigerien tactical forces, guarding the border and raiding established Boko Haram outposts in the country is incredibly important. Stopping Boko Haram's control over this area could also stop the spread of terrorism throughout the continent. If such a significant territory was to be controlled by counter-terrorism forces, then the spread of terrorist groups and fighters north and westward could be stopped. 

Also important is the rapid growth of ISWAP. Stopping Boko Haram is one important piece of the puzzle, but so is stopping ISWAP. It would be very easy for Islamic State to replace Boko Haram in their control over the north of Nigeria. Counter-terrorist forces need to threaten both groups, to remove the area from any threat of terror at all. Looking at the ongoing counter-terror operations, it's clear that both Governments are dedicated to stopping the actions and growth of both groups. 

We will continue to keep posting updates on Boko Haram's presence in Niger, as well as updates on ISWAP in Nigeria. 

References

Aliu, O. (2023). https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/03/irabor-at-edo-varsity-founders-day-51828-boko-haram-fighters-surrender-in-18-months-cds/. [online] Vanguard Nigeria. Available at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/03/irabor-at-edo-varsity-founders-day-51828-boko-haram-fighters-surrender-in-18-months-cds/ [Accessed 27 Mar. 2023].

Jones, M. (2023). Nigeria election 2023: Has Buhari tackled Boko Haram threat? BBC News. [online] 18 Feb. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-64667959 [Accessed 27 Mar. 2023].

Maina, M. (2023). Boko Haram establishes recruitment base in Niger Republic. [online] Daily Post Nigeria. Available at: https://dailypost.ng/2023/03/22/boko-haram-establishes-recruitment-base-in-niger-republic/ [Accessed 27 Mar. 2023].

Marama, N. (2023). Troops raid 6 Boko Haram camps in Sambisa forest, kill many terrorists. [online] Vanguard Nigeria. Available at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/03/troops-raid-6-boko-haram-camps-in-sambisa-forest-kill-many-terrorists/ [Accessed 27 Mar. 2023].

The North Africa Post. (2023). Niger’s army eliminates 20 Boko Haram militants near border with Nigeria – The North Africa Post. [online] Available at: https://northafricapost.com/66320-nigers-army-eliminates-20-boko-haram-militants-near-border-with-nigeria.html [Accessed 27 Mar. 2023].

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