The Washington Post article expands upon earlier reports on a potential prison-gang-terrorist nexus in California and a TRC WAR Report on the subject from July 20 (WAR Report). As the WAR Report discussed, the cultivation, coalescing, and emergence of a homegrown Islamist extremist or group would theoretically radiate a more subtle indicator and/or surveillance signature in its operations compared to a terrorist cell of foreign origin or to one with foreign connections or communications. As a result, counter-terrorism agencies face a daunting task in identifying such indigenous, emergent groups before they strike. The terrorist activities of such groups, coupled with their potential for greater operational secrecy would seem to mark them as an increasing threat to US national security.

As the July 20 WAR Report notes: