Here’s a sharper Sun-style rewrite with a catchy headline, tags and Meta description:
Over two-thirds of ISIS activity recorded on continent, report says
Africa has emerged as the world’s most active theatre of terrorism, with more than two-thirds of ISIS’ global activity occurring on the continent, according to a new report by the United States House Committee on Homeland Security.
The committee also said seven of the 10 countries with the highest number of terrorism-related deaths were in Africa.
The findings were contained in a report released on Thursday ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.
Titled “25th Anniversary Report: National Security Improvements and the Domestic Threat Landscape 25 Years After 9/11/01,” the report examined changes in the US homeland security system since the attacks and assessed emerging threats.
The committee, however, warned that US and partner resources dedicated to security efforts in Africa remained limited, while intelligence coverage across the continent was uneven.
“The shift of jihadist activity toward Africa presents a strategic dilemma,” the committee said, noting that the scale of ISIS activity and terrorism-related deaths had made Africa the most active terrorism theatre globally.
The report also warned that the changing nature of terrorism was forcing the US to rethink how it identifies and prioritises security threats.
It cited the growing presence of lone actors and “inspired attackers” who may operate without direct links to established terrorist organisations.
According to the committee, this development requires a shift from organisation-focused counterterrorism to prevention strategies centred on individual behaviour.
The panel also said the distinction between domestic terrorism, hate crimes and foreign-inspired extremism could complicate efforts to prosecute and prevent attacks.
It further identified the convergence of terrorism and cyber capabilities as an emerging security challenge, warning that traditional counterterrorism tools may no longer be sufficient.
Cyber threats, AI raise fresh concerns
The committee said the United States was increasingly facing sophisticated cyber threats from nation-states with capabilities comparable to intelligence and military organisations.
It noted that cyber risks now went beyond individual hackers seeking financial gains or notoriety, with state-backed actors capable of conducting sustained campaigns.
The report said the number of systems, devices, applications and third-party platforms requiring protection had also expanded significantly.
It noted that artificial intelligence could help security agencies analyse large volumes of data, identify abnormal behaviour, prioritise vulnerabilities, generate defensive code and strengthen the cyber workforce.
However, the committee warned that the same technologies could be exploited by malicious actors.
Border security remains challenge
The report also highlighted continuing concerns over border security, screening and vetting.
It said advances in non-intrusive inspection technologies had improved the ability of US authorities to examine cargo, but warned that the huge volume of goods entering the country increased the possibility of dangerous contraband escaping detection.
The committee said terrorist organisations, transnational criminal organisations, human-smuggling networks and foreign non-state actors were increasingly exploiting commercially available encryption, telecommunications and financial technologies to conceal and coordinate illicit activities.
It further said improvements along the US-Mexico border had prompted some transnational criminal organisations to shift activities towards the US-Canada border.
Panel makes over 20 recommendations
To address the emerging threats, the committee made more than 20 recommendations covering intelligence sharing, counterterrorism, aviation security, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, border security, emergency preparedness and biodefence.
Among other measures, it called for stronger information sharing among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, updated definitions of security threats and increased awareness of emerging terrorist tactics and organisations.
The committee also recommended full implementation of a biometric entry-exit system, greater use of non-intrusive inspection technology, risk-based AI cybersecurity standards for critical infrastructure and stronger international security partnerships.
It urged Congress and the executive branch to implement the recommendations quickly and on a bipartisan basis.
Committee Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino said the US had made significant progress in strengthening national security since the September 11 attacks but warned that the country must remain vigilant as threats evolve.
He said continued adaptation was necessary to ensure that the US did not allow another attack on the scale of 9/11.
The report was released as the United States prepares to mark 25 years since the September 11 attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people.
Garbarino said the assessment was also intended to help younger generations and future national security leaders understand the significance of the attacks and the continuing importance of homeland security.
