Al-Qaeda's Enduring Threat to Homeland: Renewed Calls for Attacks on Western Interests Highlighted by Former NSC Official

Former National Security Council staff member Joshua Steinman recently drew attention to the persistent threat posed by Al-Qaeda, referencing "recent posts on a potential AQ attack." Steinman's social media commentary, made on September 22, 2025, underscores ongoing concerns within national security circles regarding the global terrorist organization's continued intent to target Western interests. This warning comes amidst intelligence assessments indicating Al-Qaeda's reinvigorated efforts to inspire and conduct attacks.

Joshua Steinman served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Cyber on the National Security Council from 2017 to 2021, coordinating U.S. government policy across critical domains including cyber, telecommunications, cryptocurrency, and supply chain security. His extensive background in national security lends significant weight to his observations on evolving global threats. Steinman's expertise often focuses on the intersection of technological vulnerabilities and geopolitical risks.

Despite significant setbacks to its core leadership, Al-Qaeda and its global affiliates maintain an enduring intent to conduct attacks against the U.S. homeland and its interests abroad. The 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment indicates that foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) like Al-Qaeda leverage international conflicts, such as the Israel-Hamas conflict, to galvanize supporters and promote violent rhetoric. These groups actively engage online to solicit funds, create media, and encourage followers to target the Homeland and Western nations.

A notable development highlighted in intelligence reports is Al-Qaeda's reinvigorated outreach to Western audiences. Specifically, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), an affiliate based in Yemen, relaunched its "Inspire" branded video and publication in December 2023, marking its first release since 2021. This publication explicitly encouraged attacks against civil aviation and prominent individuals, providing detailed bomb-making instructions. It also urged retaliation against the West for its support of Israel, signaling a clear strategic directive for its followers.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence's 2025 Annual Threat Assessment further corroborates Al-Qaeda's sustained commitment to targeting the United States and its citizens globally. Senior leaders of the organization, some reportedly operating from Iran, are actively exploiting anti-Israeli sentiment to foster unity among Muslims and incite attacks against both Israel and the United States. This coordinated and persistent messaging from various Al-Qaeda factions underscores a complex and evolving threat landscape that continues to demand vigilance from international security agencies.