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Title: September 1, 2025

GRAY ZONE BRIEF 1 SEPTEMBER 2025

OVERVIEW

There is no indication of specific terror threats on the particular date of 9-11-2025. However, U.S. government assessments in 2025 highlight that the overall threat from domestic and international terrorism remains significant and that the Homeland is at a high risk. The primary concern is from domestic violent extremists and homegrown violent extremists who are inspired by foreign terrorist organizations, as well as lone offenders and small groups.

Key Concerns for 2025

• Domestic Extremism: The most significant threat to the U.S. comes from domestic terrorists, including those who advocate for ideologies like white supremacy, partisan extremism, and Salafi-jihadism.

• Lone Offenders: Lone actors and small groups are considered the most significant threat, as they can carry out attacks with little or no warning.

• International Groups: While weaker than before, foreign terrorist groups like the Islamic State, Al Qaeda core, and Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula remain a threat to U.S. interests.

• Confluence of Factors: A combination of factors, including domestic sociopolitical developments (especially from the 2024 election cycle) and international events, could be used by violent extremists to justify or encourage attacks.

Sources of Information:

• Department of Homeland Security (DHS): The DHS issues Homeland Threat Assessments that detail the current security landscape and potential dangers to the United States.

• Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): CSIS publishes Global Terrorism Threat Assessments that provide regional and global perspectives on terrorist threats.

• Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI): The ODNI publishes annual threat assessments that cover various threats facing the U.S., including terrorism.

ISLAMIC EXTREMISM

• Jermaiah Yusuf Sawaqed, 25, of Everett, Mass., was arrested on August 7, 2025, and charged with vandalism, destruction of property, vandalizing a war or veterans memorial, and possession of a hoax device after defacing the Massachusetts State House with white paint and spray-painting “Divest” or “Divert” on July 23, 2025.

• Sawaqed is linked to the Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation (DAMPL), an extreme anti-Zionist group, which claimed responsibility for multiple vandalism acts targeting public institutions, including the State House, the George Washington Monument, and MIT’s Stata Center.

• Authorities found white paint footprints leading to Boston Common, where two homemade improvised explosive devices were discovered, along with traces of paint, DAMPL fliers, and gasoline cans in a vehicle Sawaqed used, indicating deliberate and ideologically motivated actions.

• Sawaqed’s bail was set at $30,000.

NY SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING

• Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, 29, of Schenectady, N.Y., received a 10-year prison sentence on August 23, 2025 for illegally purchasing a firearm, obstructing religious freedom with a dangerous weapon, and brandishing a firearm during a hate crime at Temple Israel synagogue in Albany on December 7, 2023.

• Alkhader fired a shotgun into the air twice outside Temple Israel while shouting “Free Palestine,” attempted to tear down an Israeli flag, and caused the cancellation of a Chanukah event, instilling fear in the Jewish community.

• Alkhader conspired with Andrew Miller to illegally purchase a Kel-Tec KS7 shotgun by having Miller falsely claim to be the buyer, with Miller later sentenced to 14 months for his role.

CAMPUS INDOCTRINATION

The Middle East Forum has published a two-part series of articles on how the recent widespread anti-Israel activism and violence on campus has its roots in over a decade of indoctrination by professors in the Middle East Studies departments of leading universities. This analyst says it’s been rampant for 40 years — not 10.

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HOMELAND THREAT ASSESSMENT - 2025