Terrorist threat is the act of attempting to inflict fear and terror on civilians in order to cause public panic, convince citizens that their governments are powerless to protect them, and to gain immediate publicity for a specific political agenda. Acts of terrorism include bombings and threats; assassinations; kidnappings; hijackings; and the use of biological, radiological, or nuclear weapons.
The FBI takes a comprehensive approach to counterterrorism that includes preventative measures, dismantling extremist networks, and cutting off financing and other support for terrorists worldwide. To do this, the Bureau is committed to remaining agile, and continually adjusting to the evolving terrorist threat landscape.
Our work in the Sahel has been critical to stopping terrorist groups from expanding their control and gaining momentum, both in local populations and among foreign populations. We are continuing our efforts to block their advancement, including by supporting the capacity of our partners in the region, and through Operation Serval in Mali and Operation Barkhane in Chad.
The COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the availability of money for terrorists to fund their activities, as well as reducing the availability of funds for States to deliver essential services to their populations (including on anti-terrorism and countering violent extremism (CVE)). Furthermore, growing frustration, mistrust, and anger at the limits placed upon people’s lives by many State authorities, together with a contraction in economic activity in some cases, can lead to an increase in the terrorist threat. These factors could also weaken people’s resilience against terrorist narratives.
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