Well said. However, it also has to be pointed out that not all those who are drawn to Salafi jihadism these days are disciplined practitioners of the puritanical ideology, unlike al-Zarqawi for instance. Many are lost, confused, schizophrenic individuals who find in violent jihad an excuse or a vehicle for their anger, resentment, boredom, etc. Think Jihadi John. Does his type not count as part of the phenomenon? It certainly does and should and as these people contribute to much of the violence. And as they do, they also re-define what it means to be a jihadist in the 21st century. So perhaps drawing the line between nihilism and terrorism is harder than you suggest in this piece.
Well said. However, it also has to be pointed out that not all those who are drawn to Salafi jihadism these days are disciplined practitioners of the puritanical ideology, unlike al-Zarqawi for instance. Many are lost, confused, schizophrenic individuals who find in violent jihad an excuse or a vehicle for their anger, resentment, boredom, etc. Think Jihadi John. Does his type not count as part of the phenomenon? It certainly does and should and as these people contribute to much of the violence. And as they do, they also re-define what it means to be a jihadist in the 21st century. So perhaps drawing the line between nihilism and terrorism is harder than you suggest in this piece.