Security officials frame terrorism through the metaphor of a disease that adapts like cancer

Evidence

These activities indicate a global network of terrorists who, although severely disrupted due to anti-terrorism efforts, have nonetheless reconstituted themselves and adapted, as indeed carcinogenic cells do. Al Qaeda survived, Layden-Stevenson writes, depending on J.P.’s testimony, ‘by adopting secretive practices and operational security (operating with individuals in whom it had confidence).’ Here ‘Al Qaeda-inspired groups are perhaps the most sinister manifestation of Islamic extremism today because they usually consist of small cells of individuals who have no set group affiliation and who come together for a very short period of time in order to mount an operation.’ — Sherene Razack, Casting Out, 115

Categorization

• SEED: The carcinogenic-cell framing of terrorism by a judge is a rich case study in how biological metaphors authorize indefinite security detention — an article could trace this metaphor through the Almrei and similar rulings.