The attack in New Orleans reveals ISIS’ influence lingers, experts say

Key Takeaways:

• The New Orleans attack demonstrates ISIS’s enduring influence.
• Attacker Shamsud-Din Jabbar was a radicalized Army veteran.
• Experts emphasize that territorial defeat hasn’t eliminated ISIS’s ideology.
• ISIS continues to use media to recruit and spread propaganda.
• Authorities warn of potential future attacks inspired by ISIS.

A Deadly New Year’s Day in New Orleans

On January 1, New Orleans was shaken by a devastating ramming attack that claimed the lives of at least 14 people. The assailant, 42-year-old Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar from Houston, was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police following the assault.

The Attacker: From Soldier to Extremist

The FBI announced that Jabbar acted alone, executing his plan after being inspired by the terrorist group ISIS. As he drove from Houston to New Orleans, he published videos online proclaiming his support for ISIS, stating he had joined the group before the summer of 2024.

Jabbar’s transformation from a U.S. Army staff sergeant to an extremist highlights the unpredictable nature of radicalization. He served as a human resources and IT specialist from March 2007 until January 2015, including an 11-month deployment to Afghanistan in 2009. He continued his service in the Army Reserves as an IT specialist until July 2020.

The Lingering Influence of ISIS

Experts assert that the attack underscores ISIS’s persistent ideological reach. “Defeating the terrorist group and seizing territory from them and even killing tens of thousands of its fighters is still very different from effectively countering an ideology and its continued attraction to individuals,” said Bruce Hoffman, senior fellow for counterterrorism and homeland security at the Council on Foreign Relations.

A Brief History of ISIS

ISIS, a Salafi-jihadist group, surged to global prominence in 2014 when it seized vast territories in Iraq and Syria. The organization called on followers worldwide to migrate to the region to establish a caliphate. “Upwards of 40,000 foreign fighters from at least 120 countries answered that call and came to the caliphate,” Hoffman noted.

Even as the group lost most of its physical territory by 2019 due to coordinated global efforts, its influence did not wane entirely. Devorah Margolin, a senior fellow with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, emphasized that ISIS still operates actively. “It continues to carry out attacks. It continues to operate its affiliates. It continues to recruit. It continues to publish propaganda,” she said.

ISIS’s Use of Media for Recruitment

Embracing new forms of media was instrumental in ISIS’s global reach. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and YouTube allowed the group to disseminate its message widely. “When Islamic State first came onto the scene, they were kind of seen as the new kids on the block of jihadist groups,” Margolin explained. They produced short, flashy videos and multilingual magazines, attracting a diverse audience, including men, women, and children.

Although ISIS has been pushed off mainstream social media sites, its propaganda remains accessible on the dark web and encrypted platforms, continuing to influence susceptible individuals.

Challenges in Countering Radicalization

The motivations behind Jabbar’s radicalization remain unclear. Margolin pointed out the multifaceted nature of domestic extremism. “There’s no one profile of an American who joins the Islamic State,” she stated. “It’s really important to remember that this is a homegrown threat. This is a threat that has emerged from grievances that people feel here in the United States.” Such grievances may stem from personal trauma, financial troubles, or political motivations.

Warnings and Future Threats

Despite estimates that ISIS’s active insurgent numbers have reduced to about 5,000 to 10,000, the group aims to rebuild, especially amid the power vacuum in Syria. U.S. government officials, including FBI Director Christopher Wray, have warned about the potential resurgence of ISIS, cautioning that it could lead to major, orchestrated attacks domestically and abroad.

Experts agree that vigilance is crucial. “That’s why I think we have to be on our guard going forward and be concerned about replication of the events in New Orleans,” Hoffman advised.

Conclusion

The New Orleans attack is a stark reminder that the struggle against ISIS extends beyond physical battlegrounds. As the group’s ideology continues to inspire individuals, addressing the root causes of radicalization and enhancing preventative measures remain imperative for global security.