The legal battle against lone wolf terrorism: Addressing challenges and implementing solutions

Terrorism remains one of the most significant and persistent threats to global security. The challenges it poses are constantly evolving due to changes in the patterns of individual and collective violence. Despite the increasing number of studies and research on collective terrorism, particularly organized terrorist groups, recruitment, and financing, individual acts of terrorism, defined as “lone wolf terrorism” have received relatively little attention. This reveals a gap in the legal understanding and security approach to this issue. This article critically examines lone wolf terrorism, which refers to individuals who carry out terrorist attacks independently or in allegiance to organized terrorist groups. It assesses the classification of their actions and the adequacy of existing legal frameworks that criminalize terrorism in general, or whether they should be treated as ordinary crimes such as violence and unlicensed possession of weapons. The study explores the psychological backgrounds and motivations behind these acts, their drift toward violent extremism, and the ideologies and paths they adopt. It also focuses on the role of technology in facilitating these attacks, carried out independently without affiliation to or support from any formal terrorist organization. The findings reveal shortcomings in current legal frameworks, particularly in addressing this type of extremism, as well as the complexities involved in detecting these crimes due to their clandestine nature and the occasional inability to identify the perpetrators. Significant challenges also exist regarding the effectiveness of counter-terrorism measures, including prosecution and prevention. Finally, this article attempts to offer practical recommendations to policymakers and decision-makers, aiming to foster a more effective legal response through early intervention, appropriate prevention programs, and a balance between public rights and freedoms and national security.