Case Analysis: Rahami
Sample Solution
Ahmad Khan Rahami was a 28-year-old Afghan-American man who was arrested in September 2016 on charges of planting bombs in New York City and New Jersey. Rahami had traveled to Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2013 and 2014, and he had been in contact with people who were known to the FBI as potential terrorists.
Rahami's motives for the attacks are not fully known, but he is believed to have been inspired by radical Islamic ideology. He is alleged to have told investigators that he wanted to avenge the deaths of Muslims in the Middle East.
Rahami's case is an example of a "lone-wolf" terrorist attack. A lone-wolf terrorist is someone who carries out an attack without the support of a terrorist organization. Lone-wolf attacks are often difficult to prevent because they are not planned or coordinated by a larger group.
Full Answer Section
Rahami's trips out of the country may have had an impact on his radicalization. While he was in Afghanistan and Pakistan, he is believed to have come into contact with people who were sympathetic to terrorist groups. He may have also been exposed to radical Islamic ideology during his time in these countries.
It is unclear whether Rahami's constitutional rights were violated during his arrest and investigation. He was arrested without a warrant, but the FBI has argued that this was justified because they believed he was a threat to public safety. Rahami's lawyers have argued that his arrest was illegal and that his constitutional rights were violated.
Whether or not it is appropriate for the police to conduct enhanced surveillance of young Muslim men like Rahami who travel out of the country is a complex issue. There is no easy answer. On the one hand, it is important to protect the public from terrorism. On the other hand, it is important to protect the rights of individuals, including their right to privacy.
The decision of whether or not to conduct enhanced surveillance of young Muslim men who travel out of the country should be made on a case-by-case basis. The police should consider the individual's travel history, their contacts, and any other relevant factors. They should also weigh the potential benefits of surveillance against the potential harm to the individual's rights.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to conduct enhanced surveillance is a difficult one. There is no easy answer, and there is no guarantee that it will prevent terrorism. However, it is a decision that must be made in order to protect the public.