The risk of foreign and domestic terrorism in 2024 was assessed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The DHS released the 2024 Homeland Threat Assessment (HTA), which found that foreign and domestic terrorism posed a high risk for 2024. 

The DHS expects the threat of violence from individuals radicalized in the United States to remain high, but largely unchanged, mainly seen through lone offenders or small group attacks that occur with little warning. According to the DHS, while sustained counterterrorism pressure has significantly degraded the ability of foreign terrorist organizations to target U.S. interests, foreign terrorist groups like al-Qa’ida and ISIS are seeking to rebuild overseas.

According to the DHS, the complex border and immigration security challenges faced over the last year are likely to continue. In addition to the immigration challenges, the trend of an increased supply of fentanyl and variations in its production during the last year that have increased the lethality of these drugs is expected to continue.

The spread of mis-, dis- and malinformation aimed at undermining trust in government institutions, social cohesion and democratic processes will remain a likely strategy for adverse nation-states. Foreign actors leverage cyber and artificial intelligence (AI) tools to bolster their malign influence campaigns by improving the translation quality of their content.

The DHS expects adverse nation states to continue using predatory economic practices, espionage and cyber-attacks to try harm the U.S. economy, gain advantage for foreign companies and steal U.S. intellectual property and trade secrets.