Domestic extremists currently pose the “most lethal threat” to America, the country's counter-terrorism chief said on Tuesday.
National Counter-terrorism Centre Director Christine Abizaid told the US Senate that domestic violent extremists - or DVEs - have become more dangerous than any other group and will remain a top threat for years to come.
“DVEs pose the most lethal terrorist threat to the homeland,” Ms Abizaid said.
Domestic extremism has been on the rise since 2015 and crossed a new threshold in January when hundreds of supporters of Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol in a deadly rampage and attempted to overturn President Joe Biden's election win.
Ms Abizaid said that many of the factors underpinning the motivation of domestic extremists are likely to endure.
“Social polarisation, negative perceptions about immigrants, conspiracy theories promoting violence, distrust of government institutions and biases against minority groups will likely drive some DVEs to conduct attacks this year,” Ms Abizaid said.
She added that “racially or ethnically motivated extremists” pose a particular source of concern from a counter-terror perspective.
Shortly after taking office in January, Mr Biden gave National Intelligence Director Avril Haines the task of conducting a review of domestic violent extremism.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a report in May indicating that US political and social unrest “will almost certainly continue to drive” radicalisation”, motivating extremists to carry out attacks.
A man espousing anti-government views issued a bomb threat from a truck outside Capitol Hill last month, eventually surrendering after an hours-long stand-off with police.
FBI Director Christopher Wray has characterised the January 6 attack on the Capitol Hill as “domestic terrorism.”
Ms Abizaid’s use of the term “domestic violent extremists” contrasts with the “home-grown violent extremists” categorisation that she said was “largely inspired by Al Qaeda or ISIS".
After the September 11, 2001 attacks, US counter-terrorism and intelligence officials focused on Islamist-inspired extremist groups.
While the rise of racially motivated domestic extremists in the US has eclipsed that threat in recent years, Ms Abizaid said that foreign terrorist groups still pose a risk.
“While years of [counter-terrorism] pressure has degraded the Al Qaeda network, the group and its affiliates remain intent on using individuals with access to the United States to conduct attacks,” she said.
“This was most recently demonstrated by Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in their probable approval of a 2019 attack in Pensacola, Florida, where a Saudi US Air Force officer killed three and wounded eight US servicemembers.”
She also singled out Al Qaeda and ISIS-Khorasan as the biggest terrorist threats emanating from Afghanistan.
“In the wake of our withdrawal, the question is at what point does that regional threat build to a capability and intent that is focused externally and particularly focused on the homeland,” Ms Abizaid said.
She also warned of the potential for Iran-backed attacks in the US.
“We also remain vigilant against Iran and its agents and proxies, principally Lebanese Hezbollah, and their intent of retaliating in the United States for the January 2020 killing of former IRGC Quds Force commander Qassem Suleimani,” she said.
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Naga
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ROUTE%20TO%20TITLE
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Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
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- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Results
Stage seven
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 3:20:24
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers, at 1s
3. Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious, at 5s
General Classification
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates, in 25:38:16
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers, at 22s
3. Pello Bilbao (ESP) Bahrain-Victorious, at 48s
Sweet%20Tooth
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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Company%20profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
