Why It Matters

As the nation approaches the 25th anniversary of September 11, Congress is reassessing how terrorism threats have evolved. A hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa on September 16 will examine the shifting landscape of counterterrorism challenges and the State Department's response strategy.

The terrorism threat environment today bears little resemblance to 2001. While the United States has not experienced an attack on the scale of 9/11 since then, the risks have become more varied and complex.

Contemporary concerns now span lone gunmen in public spaces, international groups like Boko Haram, artificial intelligence weaponization, and threats targeting houses of worship amid rising antisemitism. Law enforcement in cities like New York manages a counterterrorism infrastructure involving almost every local, state, and federal agency.

The Trump White House has made counterterrorism a priority and released a 2026 United States Counterterrorism Strategy.

The Hearing

The House Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa will hold the hearing titled "Twenty-five Years After 9/11: The Evolving Terrorism Landscape And State's Counterterrorism Response" on September 16.

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) chairs the subcommittee. Joel Borkert from the U.S. Department of State is scheduled to testify.

Broader Context

The House Committee on Homeland Security held a showcase highlighting evolving threats and the Department of Homeland Security's updated capabilities as the 25th anniversary approached. On August 21, the United States Mint presented 2,983 special-issue Enduring Liberty Half Dollar coins to the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum in honor of the victims.

A Center for a New American Security discussion on September 10 reflected on the anniversary and U.S. counterterrorism efforts, featuring opening remarks from Matthew Olsen, a former assistant attorney.

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