New Challenges to U.S. Counterterrorism Efforts: An Assessment of the Current Terrorist Threat

• NCJ Number: 239083
• Author(s): Brian Michael Jenkins
• Date Published: July 2012
• Length: 18 pages
• Sale Source: Rand Corporation
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Legislative Hearing/Committee Report
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report presents testimony to the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on new challenges to U.S. counterterrorism efforts.

Abstract

This testimony, presented to the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, is an assessment of the current terrorist threat level in the United States. The information presented during the testimony includes a list of potential dangers that face the Nation, both at home and abroad. The first part of the testimony discusses the continued potential threat posed by al Qaeda, specifically its exploitation of the political and social turmoil created by the uprisings in the Arab world, and its inability to market its brand of jihad within the United States. Other threats addressed in the testimony include the resurgence of Iranian-sponsored terrorism, the increase in violence related to drug cartels in Mexico, the return of anarchism due to the continuing global economic crisis, and the potential increase in anti-Federal Government violence within the United States. Additional information is also presented on targeting methods and tactics used by terrorists, as well as the scale of today's terrorist violence. References