Why It Matters
Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, federal law enforcement officials warn that foreign terrorist organizations continue to use the anniversary as a recruitment tool. The FBI emphasizes that while large-scale coordinated plots have been disrupted, the threat of lone actors radicalized online remains a persistent national security challenge.
What Happened
FBI Co-Deputy Director Chris Raia recently addressed the evolving nature of domestic terrorism threats, noting that groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS remain adaptable. According to reporting from abcnews.com, Raia highlighted that these organizations increasingly rely on digital platforms to radicalize individuals within the United States without direct physical contact.
Raia stated that legislative changes and intelligence community advancements have significantly improved the bureau’s ability to prevent large-scale attacks similar to those in 2001. However, he noted that terrorist groups are shifting tactics to cultivate lone offenders who can act independently.
The FBI has arrested at least 16 individuals in the past 18 months for plotting or supporting attacks on behalf of al-Qaeda or ISIS. Raia also addressed criticism regarding the bureau’s focus under the Trump administration, asserting that immigration enforcement constitutes a minimal part of the FBI’s operational footprint. Instead, he identified drone technology as a growing priority and potential future threat.
Recent Arrest Case
Illustrating the shift toward lone-actor threats, the FBI arrested 35-year-old Jessica Bowie of Albany, New York, three weeks prior to the report’s publication. Authorities allege Bowie plotted to bomb the Albany state capitol building.
Craig Tremaroli, head of the FBI Albany field office, described a stark transformation in Bowie’s behavior. He noted that she “went from a little girl waving the American flag after 9/11 to now having stickers of the fallen towers.” Before her arrest, Bowie posted “Praise be to Allah for September 11th” on social media, as first reported by the ABC News. She has not entered a plea in her case.
By the Numbers
25 years — Time elapsed since al-Qaeda struck the U.S. homeland in 2001.
3,000 — Number of people killed in the 2001 al-Qaeda attacks.
16 — Number of people arrested in the U.S. for plotting or supporting al-Qaeda/ISIS attacks in the past 18 months.
18,000 — Maximum estimated number of ISIS members worldwide.
28,000 — Maximum estimated number of al-Qaeda members worldwide.
Zoom Out
A recent U.S. intelligence report indicates that the membership numbers for both ISIS and al-Qaeda are growing overseas. Despite this expansion abroad, the primary threat to the American homeland comes from individuals radicalized remotely via social media and the internet. Raia emphasized that terrorists operate from the “comforts of their own home,” leveraging digital tools to bypass traditional security perimeters.
The FBI’s counterterrorism strategy has evolved over the last two decades, moving from responding to large-scale coordinated attacks to preventing decentralized, ideologically driven violence. The bureau continues to rely on its “See something, say something” campaign, which has been active for more than 20 years, to engage the public in threat detection.
What’s Next
The FBI will continue to monitor online radicalization trends and prioritize emerging threats such as drone technology. As Jessica Bowie’s case proceeds through the legal system without a plea entered, federal agencies remain focused on disrupting the digital pipelines that connect foreign terrorist ideologies with domestic actors.