We normally search for answers to our problems outside of our immediate environment. Often, however, the trouble stems from within. In taking action against global terrorism, domestic extremist groups often go unnoticed. However, domestic extremists pose a significant threat to U.S. security because of the information they possess, as well as their increasing ability, through the use of the Internet, to reach out to extremist groups around the world. Keeping tabs on the content available on the Internet is difficult. Researchers and authorities need superior tools to analyze and monitor the activities of extremist groups. Researchers at the University of Arizona, with support from the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies, have developed a Web mining methodology to find and analyze Web sites operated by domestic extremists in order to learn about these groups through their use of the Internet. Extremist groups use the Internet to communicate, to access private messages, and to raise money online.

Questions for Discussion
1. How can Web link/content analysis be used to identify extremist groups?
2. What do you think are the challenges and the potential solution to such intelligence gathering activities?