‘Armies of one’: Are lone wolf attacks the future of terrorism?

Nick Thompson, CNN
5 minute read
Updated 7:54 AM EDT, Wed May 29, 2013
Lee Rigby was identified as the victim killed in a cleaver attack on May 22. He was a member of the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. The brutal killing of Rigby shocked the United Kingdom, with Prime Minister David Cameron saying the act appears to have been a terrorist attack.
Attack in Southeast London —
Lee Rigby was identified as the victim killed in a cleaver attack on May 22. He was a member of the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. The brutal killing of Rigby shocked the United Kingdom, with Prime Minister David Cameron saying the act appears to have been a terrorist attack.
UK Ministry of Defense
Following his funeral, Royal Fusiliers carry Rigby's coffin out of the Bury Parish Church, on Friday, July 12.
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Following his funeral, Royal Fusiliers carry Rigby's coffin out of the Bury Parish Church, on Friday, July 12.
LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images
People line the streets to watch the funeral procession as it drives away from the church on July 12, in Bury, England.
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People line the streets to watch the funeral procession as it drives away from the church on July 12, in Bury, England.
Dave Thompson/WPA Pool/Getty Images
From left, Lyn Rigby, mother of the slain soldier, stepfather Ian Rigby and Lee's wife Rebecca Rigby grieve as Ian reads a family statement on Friday, May 24, in Bury, England.
Attack in Southeast London —
From left, Lyn Rigby, mother of the slain soldier, stepfather Ian Rigby and Lee's wife Rebecca Rigby grieve as Ian reads a family statement on Friday, May 24, in Bury, England.
Dave Thompson/WPA Pool/Getty Images
Flowers lay close to the scene where Rigby was killed on May 24, in London.
Attack in Southeast London —
Flowers lay close to the scene where Rigby was killed on May 24, in London.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
A man places flowers near the scene on May 24.
Attack in Southeast London —
A man places flowers near the scene on May 24.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
A police officer stands with flowers in a storm on Thursday, May 23, close to the crime scene in front of Woolwich Barracks in southeast London.
Attack in Southeast London —
A police officer stands with flowers in a storm on Thursday, May 23, close to the crime scene in front of Woolwich Barracks in southeast London.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
A man contemplates the makeshift memorial outside Woolwich Barracks in London.
Photos: Attack in Southeast London —
A man contemplates the makeshift memorial outside Woolwich Barracks in London.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Flowers lie outside Woolwich Barracks on May 23.
Attack in Southeast London —
Flowers lie outside Woolwich Barracks on May 23.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Soldiers walk outside Woolwich Barracks on Thursday, May 23, near where the soldier was killed.
Attack in Southeast London —
Soldiers walk outside Woolwich Barracks on Thursday, May 23, near where the soldier was killed.
FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA/EPA/LANDOV
Notes and shirts sit outside Woolwich Barracks on May 23. The slain soldier was wearing a "Help for Heroes" shirt when he was killed.
Attack in Southeast London —
Notes and shirts sit outside Woolwich Barracks on May 23. The slain soldier was wearing a "Help for Heroes" shirt when he was killed.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
British soldiers stand guard outside the barracks on May 23.
Attack in Southeast London —
British soldiers stand guard outside the barracks on May 23.
FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA/EPA/LANDOV
Britain's prime Minister David Cameron addresses media representatives at 10 Downing Street in London on May 23, a day after a soldier who was hacked to death in a London street by two suspected Islamist extremists.
Photos: Attack in Southeast London —
Britain's prime Minister David Cameron addresses media representatives at 10 Downing Street in London on May 23, a day after a soldier who was hacked to death in a London street by two suspected Islamist extremists.
Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images
Members of the far-right English Defence League wear balaclavas as they gather outside a pub in Woolwich on Wednesday, May 22.
Attack in Southeast London —
Members of the far-right English Defence League wear balaclavas as they gather outside a pub in Woolwich on Wednesday, May 22.
JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images
EDL supporters confront police in Woolwich on May 22.
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EDL supporters confront police in Woolwich on May 22.
Rick Findler/Barcroft Media/Landov
EDL leader Tommy Robinson joins supporters at the crime scene on May 22.
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EDL leader Tommy Robinson joins supporters at the crime scene on May 22.
Rick Findler/Barcroft Media/Landov
A police officer guards a tent that's been set up at the crime scene as investigations continue late May 22.
Attack in Southeast London —
A police officer guards a tent that's been set up at the crime scene as investigations continue late May 22.
STEFAN WERMUTH/Reuters/Landov
Mary Warder brings flowers to the scene of the crime on May 22 to pay respects to the victim.
Attack in Southeast London —
Mary Warder brings flowers to the scene of the crime on May 22 to pay respects to the victim.
George Henton/Barcroft Media/Landov
Men place flowers near the scene on John Wilson Street.
Attack in Southeast London —
Men place flowers near the scene on John Wilson Street.
NICK ANSELL/PA Photos/Landov
A police officer guards a blocked-off area in Woolwich on May 22.
Attack in Southeast London —
A police officer guards a blocked-off area in Woolwich on May 22.
LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images
A general view of Woolwich Barracks, near the scene of the crime.
Attack in Southeast London —
A general view of Woolwich Barracks, near the scene of the crime.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Police officers block off a road in Woolwich.
Attack in Southeast London —
Police officers block off a road in Woolwich.
CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images