The future of terrorist use of improvised explosive devices: Getting in front of an evolving threat

A taxonomy of emerging threats related to terrorist use of IEDs in the U.S.

Abstract

Because of their outsized impact—as well as the wide availability of device components—violent extremists in the United States consider improvised explosive devices a valuable part of their arsenal. They are easy to make, difficult to combat, and cause significant harm and disruption. Yet this threat is not static. Violent extremists continue to innovate, drawing on emerging technologies and creative problem solving. The onus of initiative requires that the counterterrorism mission community looks over the horizon to identify emerging threats. In support of this need, the authors offer a forward-leaning taxonomy of emerging threats related to terrorist use of IEDs in the United States and outline its key implications for policy, practice, and applied study.

The onus of initiative requires that the counterterrorism mission community looks over the horizon to identify emerging threats.

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