Story perspectives

US Faces Rising Lone-Wolf Terror Threats, Warns Gabbard

3/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard reported in 2026 that the United States faces a heightened terrorist threat from lone-wolf actors.
ISIS and al Qaeda remain threats, though their operational capabilities have diminished.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) foiled 640 planned terror attacks in 2025, nearly doubling the 2020 total.
The threat landscape has intensified due to war in Iran and rising political violence in the United States.

History

Historical Context

Following the September 11 attacks in 2001, President George W. Bush announced the War on Terror, leading to the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) on September 18, 2001. This law empowered the U.S. to conduct military operations against those responsible for the attacks, resulting in counter-terrorism efforts in over 100 countries and ongoing challenges from groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda.

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Story summary

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard reported in 2026 that the United States faces a heightened terrorist threat from lone-wolf actors.
ISIS and al Qaeda remain threats, though their operational capabilities have diminished.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) foiled 640 planned terror attacks in 2025, nearly doubling the 2020 total.
The threat landscape has intensified due to war in Iran and rising political violence in the United States.

1 / 2