Al-QAEDA AND THE ARYAN NATIONS A FOUCAULDIAN PERSPECTIVE by HUNTER ROSS DELL Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of The University of Texas at Arlington in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS IN CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON DECEMBER 2006 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS For my parents, Charles and Virginia Dell, without whose patience and loving support, I would not be who or where I am today. November 10, 2006 ii ABSTRACT AL-QAEDA AND THE ARYAN NATIONS A FOUCALTIAN PERSPECTIVE Publication No. ______ Hunter Ross Dell, M.A. The University of Texas at Arlington, 2006 Supervising Professor: Alejandro del Carmen Using Foucauldian qualitative research methods, this study will compare al- Qaeda and the Aryan Nations for similarities while attempting to uncover new insights from preexisting information. Little or no research had been conducted comparing these two organizations. The underlying theory is that these two organizations share similar rhetoric, enemies and goals and that these similarities will have implications in the fields of politics, law enforcement, education, research and United States national security. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......................................................................................... ii ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................ iii Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION....................................................................................... 1 2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE...................................................................... 6 Definition of Terms ............................................................................. 6 History of Terrorism............................................................................ 7 Who are al-Qaeda and the Aryan Nations................................................................................ 12 Religious Background ......................................................................... 13 al-Qaeda................................................................................... 13 The Aryan Nations................................................................... 22 Organization History........................................................................... 30 al-Qaeda................................................................................... 30 The Aryan Nations................................................................... 40 Structure and Methods of Operation.................................................... 47 al-Qaeda................................................................................... 47 The Aryan Nations................................................................... 53 Contemporary Rhetoric and Events Leading to Possible Cooperation........................................................................... 57 iv 3. METHODOLOGY...................................................................................... 66 Qualitative Research............................................................................ 66 Sources................................................................................................. 67 Foucauldian Analysis........................................................................... 68 Timeline............................................................................................... 70 IRB ...................................................................................................... 71 4. FINDINGS ................................................................................................. 72 Shared History: The Nazis................................................................... 72 A Common Enemy .............................................................................. 75 Anti-Semitism...................................................................................... 76 Embracing violence............................................................................. 78 Shared Rhetoric: Noticing Their Own Similarities ............................. 78 Possible Past Operational Cooperation................................................ 81 5. IMPLICATIONS......................................................................................... 84 Law Enforcement................................................................................. 84 Educational Institutions....................................................................... 86 Research............................................................................................... 89 Politics ................................................................................................. 90 National Security................................................................................. 92 Final Thoughts..................................................................................... 93 v REFERENCES ............................................................................................................ 95 BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION........................................................................... 107 vi CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” -Anonymous Arabic Proverb- Criminologists may not be on the front lines of the war against terror firing bullets and using handcuffs but they have their part to play. It could be said that by necessity, United States’ local and federal agencies work from documented standard operating proceturdes that are developed from past experiances. For their part in the War on Terror, Criminologists should add to that documentation until there is a comprehensive list of all things that can do the United States or their own countries harm. They must look outside of the box for weaknesses and vulnerabilities as well as establish ways to cement those holes before our enemies exploit them. It could be argued that the United States stands out as the only remaining world superpower, placing them not only in a position of respect but also in a position to be coveted, resented and even hated. Similarities in any group that has set their sights on the United States gives them grounds for cooperation against it. Like grade school friends they would be drawn together by their similar characteristics and solidified by their similar goals. 1 The purpose of this study is to examine al-Qaeda and the Aryan Nations for similarities and differences while relying on Foucauldian methodology. This research will be used to uncover new insights from preexisting information present within the organization’s histories, rhetoric and stated beliefs. This paper will be written and all comparisons will be done using Michele Foucault’s methodology presented in his book the Archeology of knowledge. The possible significance of the similarities, irregularities and shared goals between the two entities will be addressed. Using the Marxist theories of Criminology, a comparison will be made of their projected images and other possible implications on their realities. Karl Marx’s theory of criminology relies on the idea that people are manipulators (Vold, Bernard & Snipes, 2002). People in power make and or shape the laws and morality of a society in order to make their actions acceptable and their definition not criminal. Is it possible that extremist groups use this concept for their own ends? Could al-Qaeda and the Aryan Nations present one image to further their ends while living a different reality? This study intends to investigate that possibility. For the purpose of this study it is important to note initially that more than one fundamentalist organization exists in this world and some of those organizations are so similar to one another in beliefs and construct that parallels can be easily seen. Certain aspects of the Aryan Nations (including values, goals, and religious beliefs) can be seen in other Right-Wing White Supremacist organizations; al-Qaeda and other Radical Islamic groups show similar tendencies (including values, goals, and religious beliefs) as well. For the purpose of this study, when similarities in one group’s beliefs, actions 2 or doctrines are found information about them will be considered in conjunction with our primary units of study, the Aryan Nations and al-Qaeda. As with any research, this project has limitations. The limitation of the most concern is the lack of contemporary academic sources with a direct relevance to this topic. It could be argued that there are copious amounts of research dealing with their backgrounds, histories and beliefs. The sources for the most current, contemporary acts and rhetoric of these organizations are limited to modern media outlets, such as newspapers and network news channels. When possible, academic sources will be scoured continuously with the hopes of finding and adding academic credibility to information first provided by world news sources. There are numerous current sources in the world written and translated in many languages creating several aliases and spellings for one organization. One prime example is al-Qaeda, which has several spellings and other names such as The Base, al Qadr, al Qaida and the Islamic Army for the Liberation of Holy Places (Terrorism Research Center, 2003). In addition and for the same reasons, Osama bin Laden’s name has several spellings but the aforementioned one will be used when referencing bin Laden through the course of this study. It could be argued that