According to sources in the intelligence community, the United States is currently on high alert for potential terrorist threats both domestically and abroad. This elevated threat level comes amid warnings from the FBI, Homeland Security, and the State Department about increased “chatter” indicating possible imminent attacks. While specific details remain classified, there are several areas of concern based on the latest intelligence.
One major focus is border security, especially the southern border with Mexico. So far in 2023, over 3.5 million migrants have crossed into the U.S., with thousands identified as “special interest aliens” with potential terrorism ties. Just in the past 11 months, 151 known people on the terror watch list have been arrested after crossing illegally. Yet by some estimates, tens of thousands more on watchlists have entered and been released into communities across the country. This has raised fears that terrorist operatives may have already infiltrated the U.S. homeland.
Several Middle East hotspots are also causing alarm. U.S. officials are warning the Palestinian militant groups Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah may all have jihadists crossing into the U.S. from Mexico. These groups have stepped up threats against Israel and the West. U.S. ships and aircraft carriers have deployed to the Mediterranean near Israel in a show of force. The situation remains volatile after recent clashes, with over 200 Jews kidnapped worldwide since then. With U.S.-Iran relations still tense, proxies could strike Western targets.
Domestically, homegrown violent extremism remains an issue. A recent poll found 57% of U.S. Muslims believe attacks against Israel are justified. Anti-Semitic incidents in America have surged by over 400% this year. With ideological polarization and social media radicalization, “lone wolf” attacks are a constant danger. Extremists motivated by conspiracy theories, racism, anti-government views, and other fringe beliefs continue to be a prime domestic terror concern for federal law enforcement.
So with threat indicators rising both abroad and at home, security services have raised the nation’s alert level. Citizens are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. While most of the details around this heightened threat environment are classified, this SITREP provides an overview of the current terrorist risk assessment based on open-source intelligence. The best defense remains an informed, alert public working alongside law enforcement to stay safe and protect America.
Assets Tracking Potential Threats:
- 34 air refuelers over CONUS, clustered near southern border and off east coast
- 3 RQ-4 Global Hawks over central and eastern CONUS
- 1 RC-135 Rivet Joint off coast of Israel
- FBI surveillance aircraft over DC area
- 4 high-altitude balloons over northeast CONUS
- Limited intelligence flights over CONUS compared to past
- CIA aircraft spotted over Hawaii and off east coast
- 2 E-6B TACAMO aircraft active off east and west coasts
- CBP aerial activity near southern border but minimal elsewhere
Ongoing Operations:
- One US aircraft carrier strike group with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Mediterranean Sea off coast of Israel
- US ships present in Red Sea and Persian Gulf
- Airlift operations ongoing in Germany with C-17 flights into eastern seaboard ports (troops/supplies from Europe?)
- C-17 flights between Europe and Middle East but no aid flights seen into Gaza
- Troop movements noted from Fort Campbell KY and Ramstein AB GE, some flights to Middle East
- Unusual shotgun and flashbang purchases noted among US police departments
Threat Summary:
- FBI, DHS, State Dept issued warnings about terror attacks against US homeland
- Concerns about terror cells already in US planning attacks
- 151 terror watchlist individuals arrested at southern border in past 11 months
- 10,000+ "special interest aliens" entered and released in past 11 months
- Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah could be entering via southern border
- Recent conflicts between Israel and Gaza could inspire attacks by terror groups against US/Israel interests
- Radiological monitoring aircraft active over Great Lakes region
#terrorism #nationalsecurity #middleeast #bordersecurity #Hamas #Hezbollah #domesticterrorism #antisemitism #FBI #DHS #Iran
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