The U.S. and the international community are facing a terrorist threat environment that “is more dynamic, complex, and fast-moving than ever before,” a senior State Department official told Congress on Tuesday. Speaking before the House Oversight and Reform National Security Subcommittee he and another senior government official described the enduring resilience of foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs), like al Qa‘ida and the Islamic State, and the threats they pose to the U.S. and its allies.
Christopher Landberg, acting principal deputy coordinator for counterterrorism at the U.S. Department of State, underscored that despite the significant progress the U.S. has made in degrading FTOs ability to target the Homeland, these groups remain a persistent and pervasive threat. Indeed, FTOs have demonstrated their resilience and resolve by altering their tactics and techniques in the face of increased counterterrorism efforts. In regard to the Islamic State, its “global presence continues to grow despite the liberation of territory it once controlled in Iraq and Syria. [The group] is leveraging its branches and networks across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa to advance its agenda,” Landberg noted. Additionally, al Qa‘ida still poses a serious threat. Its branches, particularly Al-Qa‘ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and al-Shabaab, posses the capability to harm U.S. allies and its global interests.
Milancy Harris, deputy assistant secretary of defense for special operations and combating terrorism at the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), also provided testimony for the hearing. Most notably, Harris explained that “the terrorist threat to the U.S. homeland from externally directed attacks is at the lowest since 9/11, but we still face a number of terrorist groups committed to targeting U.S. interests and personnel abroad.” Harris noted that today’s adaptive FTOs are becoming better skilled with technology to exploit the information environment and remaining ideological influential to recruit new followers or inspire lone wolf attacks.
Both officials also discussed their departments’ methods for countering the threat. Landberg described the multipronged approach of the State Department, which includes diplomatic and multilateral engagements, building foreign partners’ capacity, countering terrorist financing, and preventing terrorist travel. Harris stressed the most successful counterterrorism strategy involves “a mix of kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities and working with our partners and allies.” She also noted DoD is working to increase the counterterrorism capacity of allies and partners in critical regions through education and capacity building initiatives.
“Amid this diverse and dynamic threat landscape, the path forward to countering terrorism around the world must be one marked by continued diplomacy, dialogue, and diligence,” Landberg emphasized. “Despite the complexities and challenges of countering terrorism around the world, we must remain vigilant and proactive in protecting the United States and our allies and promoting U.S. national security interests.” Access the speakers’ testimony here or read a relevant news article.
