The Persistent Terrorist Threat from IEDs: An Examination

An Overview of Recent Attacks

It has been more than twelve hours into the New Year when two separate acts of terrorism transpired in different cities of the United States. The recent incidents in New Orleans and Las Vegas have served as stark reminders of the unending threat of terrorism. Specifically, these events have highlighted that the era of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) is far from over. From Bourbon Street to Trump International Hotel, these attacks have marked a disturbing uptick in the use of IEDs.

Rise in Ideologically-Motivated IED Incidents

Of increasing concern is the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education (NCITE) Center’s study revealing that incidents of ideologically-motivated IED incidents have reached a five-year annual high in 2024. And the worrying trend seems to persist as 2025 unfolds, accentuating the pressing need to pay closer attention to the evolution of human and technical dimensions underlying the terrorist IED threat.

The New Orleans and Las Vegas Incidents

While the incidents in New Orleans and Las Vegas bear the hallmarks of terrorism, they seem to be isolated in their execution. The FBI is confident that there are no accomplices, yet the utilization of IEDs in both incidents underscores the alarming surge in their use. In New Orleans, the suspect, later identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, reportedly used multiple IEDs in his vehicle, causing widespread destruction and fatalities. In a similar vein, a truck explosion at a hotel in Las Vegas has led authorities to believe that the attacker planned the act of terror.

The Growing Threat of IEDs

The return of the IED to the fore of terrorist activities isn’t a novel predicament; IEDs have long been employed by terrorists in the U.S. for their simplicity, affordability, and lethal impact. From the bombings of Wall Street in 1920 to the Boston Marathon in 2013, these easily accessible devices have a dark legacy. With 2024 recording a peak in terrorist IED incidents, vigilance and a comprehensive understanding of the threat landscape are imperative.

Technological Advancement and IEDs

The evolving threat landscape is further complicated by technological advancements that facilitate the fabrication and deployment of IEDs. The proliferation of information on how to construct these explosive devices is increasingly accessible on the internet, yielding a new population of ideologically driven individuals capable of initiating attacks. The bomb’s ubiquity across all terrorist ecosystems poses profound implications for counter-terrorism measures.

Addressing the Changing Terror Landscape

The multiplicity of the IED threat, underscoring both basic and advanced expressions, weighs heavily on the counterterrorism workforce. As it stands, this diverse threat actor landscape, coupled with the accessibility of bomb-making knowledge and materials, requires policies that are up-to-date and capable of responding to the changing nature of today’s threat landscape and operating environment.

The Need for Counterterrorism Innovation

Even in the face of increasing use of IEDs and evolving terrorist tactics, these challenges can be addressed through counter-terrorism innovation. To effectively navigate this landscape, a comprehensive review of existing policies is needed, starting with a reassessment of Presidential Policy Directive 17. Policymakers must seek new strategies and protocols to bolster our nation’s security, develop more robust detection methods, and ramp up research and development initiatives aimed at neutralizing this insidious threat.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

With IEDs offering threat actors an accessible means of executing damaging attacks, it’s essential to recalibrate our counter-terrorism tactics and strategies. By acknowledging the evolving nature of terrorist activities, we can develop more effective solutions and strengthen our nation’s security posture. The task at hand is challenging, but tackling this evolving threat assertively and innovatively forms the basis of sustained national security in the face of growing homegrown and external threats.

Originally Post From https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/on-new-orleans–las-vegas–virginia–and-the-threat-of-improvised-explosive-devices

Read more about this topic at
IEDs – a growing threat
Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) Publication