The “Lone Wolf” in the White House

 

By Brigitte L. Nacos

Typically, I analyze the actions and motivations of “lone wolves” within my long research interest in terrorism and terrorists. But as I try to explain President Trump’s shocking and unexpected decision to withdraw all remaining U.S. forces from Syria, the analogy to “lone wolf” imageries comes instantly to mind.

After all, the commander-in-chief acted without consulting his national security advisers, including Secretary of Defense James Mattis, military commanders in the Middle East, and members of Congress.

According to his tweets, Trump is simply enacting his long-held withdrawal plan. Never mind the opposition within his administration and his own Republican party.

Research reveals that “lone wolf “ terrorists tend to feel being apart from and misunderstood by their respective social circles; they are angry about perceived wrongdoings against their secular or religious beliefs and virtual communities--a dangerous mixture that can eventually lead to what they perceive as revenge against their enemies—often in reaction to particular events.

So what was the trigger event for President Trump to announce out of the blue the cut-and-run decision concerning Syria?

First, there was the disastrous court appearance of General Flynn, Mr. Trump’s former National Security Adviser and the news that the Trump Foundation was forced to close down because of its unsavory practices. This was followed by the realization that Congress was rejecting the president’s multi-billion-dollar request to finance the WALL along the Mexican-American border, his campaign promise—albeit, according to Trump, with Mexico as payer.  

As the judge in the Flynn case and the New York State Attorney General in the shut-down of the Trump Foundation demonstrated, the judicial system still works as it is supposed to—even though our president does not like it. Moreover, even with the shut-down of the U.S. government looming, Congress did not give in to Trump’s WALL fantasies.

So, the “lone wolf” in the White House, rejected and angry, needed to show that he had the power to unleash a shocker with domestic and global consequences: Contrary to the truth, he claimed that the Islamic State (ISIS) was defeated. But he ordered the immediate withdrawal of all U.S. military from Syria in any way.

That rhetorical strike via Twitter assured him what all lone wolves strive for: They want to get attention: media attention, elite attention, public attention.

After the withdrawal bomb was dropped, there was no or little public debate about Flynn,  the Trump Foundation, or the failed WALL promise.

Instead the lone wolf in the White House got a big publicity win—just like lone wolf terrorists always win in terms of media attention.