The United States has identified three priority threats in its recent national counterterrorism strategy: narco-terrorists and transnational gangs, Islamist terrorists, and violent left-wing extremists.
“Countering ISIL, al-Qaida, and their affiliates remains a key priority,” stated Ambassador Tammy Bruce, Deputy Representative of the United States to the United Nations. “These groups continue to exploit instability, as evidenced by al-Qaida’s gains in the Sahel, ISIL’s growing focus on Africa, and the persistent threat from ISIL-K in Afghanistan.”
The growing exploitation of satellite communications, artificial intelligence, drones, and cryptocurrencies further complicates this landscape and demands vigilance from Security Council member states and the private sector.
Ambassador Bruce commended member states “whose operations and financial disruption efforts have constrained ISIL and al-Qaida in Iraq, Syria, and Somalia. We also recognize Iraq’s leadership in repatriating detained and displaced persons from northeast Syria, and encourage efforts to follow suit, prosecute ISIL-affiliated nationals, and prevent returning foreign terrorist fighters from evading detection.”
Beyond the jihadist threat, Iran and its proxies and partners, including the Houthis, Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iran-aligned militias in Iraq, continue destabilizing the Middle East and expanding their reach. Increased information sharing is vital to prevent them from acquiring critical weapons and to constrain their actions, urged Ambassador Bruce.
“Cartels and transnational criminal organizations threaten our citizens’ safety. Since January 2025, the United States has designated 20 Western Hemisphere cartels and gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists, most recently Mexico’s Juarez Cartel and Los Viagras.” These groups now project influence beyond the Hemisphere. “We will not allow the region to become a sanctuary for those who threaten our security,” vowed Ambassador Bruce.
“It is critical that we work together to disrupt the production and movement of synthetic drugs, eradicate transnational organized crime, and combat terrorist travel.”
The United States is increasingly concerned by resurgent political terrorism, particularly far-left groups, reflected in the November 2025 designation of violent Antifa-aligned organizations as foreign terrorist organizations. “For too long governments have turned a blind eye to this resurgent threat,” said Ambassador Bruce. But designations alone are insufficient, she added. “We must strengthen information sharing on the tactics, networks, funding, and malign state actors enabling this violence, especially as it converges with organized crime and antisemitic movements.”
As the 25th anniversary of September 11 approaches, the United States looks to all Security Council member states and the UN to refocus on core priorities and deliver results. “We will not support institutions that are redundant, mismanaged, or misaligned with our priorities,” declared Ambassador Bruce. “Together, we must protect our citizens and borders from terrorist threats.”