Ridge Global LLC

November 13, 2007 - The emergence of “homegrown” terrorist cells in the United States was the subject of a recent Temple University forum titled “Terrorism on the Homefront.”  Joined by other counter-terrorism experts, First Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge spoke before an audience of 350 people as he examined the reality of this threat to the United States, particularly as news and events continue to point to the increasing prevalence of home-grown terrorist cells within other countries.

The panel of terrorism experts in Philadelphia included Marc Sageman, an independent terrorism researcher and author of Leaderless Jihad, Harvard Scholar Jessica Stern and Ian S. Lustick, professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania. Moderating the panel was Richard Immerman of the National Intelligence for Analytical Integrity and Standards. Immerman also serves as a history professor and distinguished fellow at Temple’s Center for the Study of Force and Diplomacy.

 “A vigilant and concerted effort on the part of every American citizen, local law enforcement official, and national security professional is imperative to routing out home-grown terror threats,” Secretary Ridge said after the event. “We shouldn’t think we’re immune from this problem and we’ve seen proof since 9/11 that we are not.”

The panel discussion pointed to the foiled plot against servicemen at Fort Dix and the case of Adam Gadahn as an indication that terrorism, which was once considered chiefly international in origin, may be fostered and even initiated within our own borders.