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Terrorist Bombings

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Commentary
Might Russia Turn to Terror Bombing Civilians in Ukraine?
Recent Russian missile attacks against civilian targets in cities far away from the front lines have killed scores of Ukrainians, leading to widespread outrage. These events raise the question of whether the war in Ukraine is entering a new phase in which terror attacks might become common.
Jul 29, 2022
Report
Most Attacks on Western Diplomatic Facilities Culminate in Two Hours or Less
There have been 33 successful seizures of Western diplomatic facilities since 1979. The majority of attacks culminated in two hours or less, and over 90 percent culminated in six hours or less. A review of these attacks can help in developing effective response capabilities.
Jan 25, 2021

Explore Terrorist Bombings

Blog
Terrorism Research: How RAND Defined and Built a New Field of Knowledge
In the early 1970s, amid a worldwide rash of bombings, hijackings, and hostage-takings, RAND researchers began creating the first international database of terrorist incidents. Maintained until 2009, it chronicles more than 40,000 terrorist attacks since 1968.
Mar 9, 2022
Commentary
Deadly Terrorist Threats Abound. Here Are the Key Dangers
Today's self-selecting solo terrorists answer only to their god, whether seeking to destroy all government, pursuing racial separation or genocidal goals, expressing sexual dissatisfaction, or simply wanting to leave their mark. Military operations are irrelevant. This is a deeper societal problem.
Jul 20, 2020
Journal Article
Options for Dealing with ISIS Foreign Fighters Detained in Syria
The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces are holding thousands of fighters who had joined ISIS's ranks from abroad as well as members of their families. What the world does (or does not do) about them could affect the future stability of the region and the countries from which they came.
May 31, 2019
Commentary
Baghdadi Resurfaces: What It Means for ISIS's Global Terror Campaign
With last week's release of a video of Abu Bakr Baghdadi, ISIS showed that it's still got some life left—literally. The most important message to take away from the Baghdadi video may be that the Islamic State does not need territory to survive and even thrive.
May 6, 2019
Commentary
Sri Lanka's Easter Attacks: Dismantling Myths to Prevent the Next Attack
On Easter Sunday, suicide bombers hit six locations across Sri Lanka, killing more than 250 people. Even before ISIS claimed responsibility, there was no obvious connection to the quarter-century of violence that afflicted the nation until 2009. It is worth dismantling a few myths that might prevent better preparation for future attacks.
May 6, 2019
Commentary
Austin Bombings Highlight a Potential Vulnerability in the Mail Delivery System
USPS is better than private couriers at identifying and detecting suspicious packages. Given that they are increasingly handling "last mile" delivery, how can private mail delivery offices better detect and safely handle suspicious mail?
Apr 17, 2018
Commentary
Will Al Qaeda Make a Comeback?
Al Qaeda's revival will likely hinge on its ability to take advantage of opportunities such as the withdrawal of counterterrorism forces from key battlefields, more revolt in the Middle East, U.S. or European policies that feed the perception of Muslim oppression, or the rise of a charismatic jihadist leader.
Aug 7, 2017
Commentary
How to Harden America's Soft Targets
The U.S. government must choose where to apply limited resources to defend soft targets. But it could expand its information-sharing efforts with other governments and local law enforcement. Broad intelligence sharing and more training could help identify potential attackers before they can execute their plans.
Jul 5, 2017
Commentary
How Russia Became the Jihadists' No. 1 Target
Russia is fast replacing the United States as the number-one enemy of Al Qaeda, ISIS, and other Sunni jihadist groups motivated by violent and puritanical Salafist ideology. This shift is rooted in recent Russian actions in the Middle East.
Apr 3, 2017
Commentary
How Will Jihadist Strategy Evolve As the Islamic State Declines?
As ISIL experiences ongoing battlefield losses it will have to rework its strategy to sustain itself as a preeminent jihadist brand. Meanwhile, the group will likely place greater emphasis on smaller scale strikes that require less central direction.
Nov 10, 2016
Commentary
U.S. More Able Than Ever to Combat Terrorism
Acts of pure terrorism are truly arbitrary and extremely difficult to protect against, but they are rare. Improved domestic counterterrorist efforts have uncovered and interrupted close to 90 percent of jihadist terrorist plots in the United States since 9/11.
Sep 26, 2016
Commentary
Is the Surge in Terrorist Attacks Coincidence or Coordinated Campaign?
Whatever the investigations of recent terrorist attacks reveal, the facts may be portrayed (or ignored) to fit narratives written even before the blood has dried.
Jul 11, 2016
Commentary
To Defeat ISIL's Brand, Its Territory Must Be Reclaimed
ISIL has been forced out of 56 places it once controlled, including five major cities. Taking its territory and diminishing its brand is required to reduce the group's operational capacity for carrying out or influencing local or distant attacks.
Jul 8, 2016
Commentary
Out of Line: How to Better Protect Airports from Terrorist Attacks
In airport security, it's not the size of a potential terrorist bomb that matters most, it's where it detonates. Fortunately, new technologies may present opportunities to get travelers out of line and keep them safe.
May 2, 2016
Commentary
What It Was Like Being in Brussels During the Terrorist Attacks
Bearing witness to a terrorist attack was a startling and surreal experience, one that tragically drove home the need for an expanded knowledge base on terrorism and radicalization.
Mar 28, 2016
Commentary
Terror Attacks in Brussels: Insights from RAND Experts
RAND experts weigh in on the timing of the deadly bombings in Brussels, why the attack was inevitable, Salah Abdeslam's arrest, and more.
Mar 22, 2016
Commentary
Could ISIS and Al Qaeda, Two Giants of Jihad, Unite?
It could take a change in leadership in both Al Qaeda and ISIS and perhaps some compromises on mission and strategy, but there are enough points of confluence to make a united jihadist front a realistic and frightening possibility.
Mar 14, 2016
Commentary
How Terrorists Get Here
Of 134 jihadist-inspired terrorists who have carried out or plotted attacks in the United States since 9/11, 96 were U.S. citizens and 19 others were legal permanent residents. While some level of comfort may be drawn from the fact that terrorists are not pouring into the country, there is no basis for complacency.
Dec 18, 2015

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