A Look at How Often US Military Bases Have Been Attacked Over The Years

A Look at How Often US Military Bases Have Been Attacked Over The Years

If you’ve been paying attention to the news lately, you might be thinking that America’s under siege. Antics in Washington, civil unrest in the streets, and now, assaults on our military bases. Speaking of, have you wondered about the attacks on these critical installations over the years? Let’s dive right into it.

Recent Trends in Political Violence

Political violence in the U.S. today primarily involves self-radicalized individuals incited by social events or political manipulation. The most notable shift has been towards far-right ideologies infiltrating mainstream discourse, facilitated by online platforms and divisive memes. This shift has had a worrying influence even on military personnel, some of whom have been involved in domestic terrorist plots.

The Role of Self-Radicalization and Social Media

Political violence today is less about organized groups like the Proud Boys and more about lone wolves acting upon far-right influences. This disturbing development is reflected in the increased number of attacks on U.S. military bases. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the FBI opened 143 criminal investigations involving service members in 2020, nearly half related to domestic extremism.

Military Base Attacks During Recent Administrations

It’s essential to compare the frequency and severity of these attacks under recent U.S. administrations. Under the Trump administration, there was an alarming rise in incidents linked to military personnel—from 2018 to 2020, the number of domestic terrorist incidents involving military personnel rose significantly. This trend persisted into the Biden administration, though the focus shifted to counter-extremism within the military ranks.

Government, Military, and Police Personnel Targeted

In 2020, government, military, and police personnel and facilities were the targets of 38% of terrorist attacks, with white supremacists and violent far-right extremists responsible for the majority. This uptick can partially be attributed to manipulative political narratives, such as the false 2020 election fraud claim, which significantly increased support for right-wing violence.

“Millions of Americans support or excuse political violence, often triggered by identity-threat events.” Journal of Democracy.

How the DoD Responds to Extremism

The Department of Defense is now advised to revise its vetting processes to deter extremists. actively. There are efforts to integrate counter-extremism education into military training as extremist networks continue to try recruiting military personnel for their tactical skills.

Global Context and Comparisons

What’s happening in the U.S. isn’t isolated. For example, election-related violence has also surged in places like India, where the rise of the BJP utilized social grievances for political gain. The same factors—competitive elections, partisan identity divisions, and weak institutional controls—are fueling U.S. risks for electoral violence.

Given the rise in political violence from both the right and the left, it is clear that viable interventions should address both emotional factors and structural political incentives to promote political pluralism and reduce feelings of threat.

Active-Duty Participation in Violent Plots

One of the most alarming trends is the increasing involvement of active-duty military personnel and reservists in domestic terrorist plots. From 2018 to 2020, there has been a notable surge in cases where military members were implicated in violent activities.

Conclusion

While it may seem like attacks on U.S. military bases are a newfound phenomenon, the reality is that we’ve seen a troubling rise in such incidents tied to broader issues of political violence and social division. It’s high time we focus on viable, long-term solutions to address these underlying factors, ensuring that the dedicated men and women of our armed forces can serve without the looming threat of domestic extremism.

We’ve covered a lot of ground here, and hopefully, this helps you better understand why these issues matter not just to our military, but to our nation as a whole. Keep those flags flying high, folks.

Sources

  1. https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/the-rise-of-political-violence-in-the-united-states/
  2. https://www.csis.org/analysis/military-police-and-rise-terrorism-united-states
  3. https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/09/05/polarization-democracy-and-political-violence-in-united-states-what-research-says-pub-90457
  4. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/addressing-irans-evolving-threats-to-us-interests/
  5. https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/assessments/ATA-2023-Unclassified-Report.pdf
  6. https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Biden-Harris-Administrations-National-Security-Strategy-10.2022.pdf
  7. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2804585
  8. https://media.defense.gov/2023/Oct/19/2003323409/-1/-1/1/2023-MILITARY-AND-SECURITY-DEVELOPMENTS-INVOLVING-THE-PEOPLES-REPUBLIC-OF-CHINA.PDF
  9. https://www.state.gov/?post_type=state_briefing&p=92333

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