United States – U.S. officials have warned military personnel that Islamic State forces may be planning attacks against them in the United States a report claimed on the 1 Dec 14. A joint intelligence bulletin sent to law enforcement agencies by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security urged members of the U.S. military to erase from their online social media accounts anything would draw attention from "violent extremists," or reveal service members' identity. The government indicated late on the 30 Nov 14 it had obtained intelligence that Islamic State militants were targeting the United States within its borders. The FBI recently received reporting indicating individuals overseas are spotting and assessing like-minded individuals who are willing and capable of conducting attacks against current and former U.S.-based members of the United States military a bulletin said. An FBI spokesman confirmed the accuracy of the news report, but declined to provide a copy of the memo. The department had long been aware and mindful of the potential for home-grown extremism and had continued to encourage and to advise all of their personnel to exercise the maximum amount of vigilance.
Lone wolf terrorist attacks in the United States are not on the rise as popular culture might lead one to believe -- but the attacks are changing for the worse, according to new research and reported in the Homeland Security news on the 2 Dec 14. The targets, weapons, and motives have changed in recent years. Before 9/11, these terrorists used bombs, but now high-velocity firearms are the weapon of choice, he said. The change might be a result of legislation enacted after the Oklahoma City bombing limiting the public's access to bomb-making ingredients. Police and military personnel are now the preferred targets of modern lone wolf terrorists. Domestically, attacks on the power grid are the next big threat, the researchers say. Lone wolf terrorist Jason Woodring successfully downed the electric transmission system of rural Arkansas in 2013. His vandalism affected 10,000 people and cost $3 million in repairs.
US officials have warned military personnel that Islamic State forces may be planning attacks against them in the United States, ABC News reported on the 1 Dec 14. A joint intelligence bulletin sent to law enforcement agencies by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security urged US military to erase from their online social media accounts anything would draw attention from "violent extremists" or reveal service members' identity, the news network said. FBI representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ABC report. The network said the government indicated late on the 30 Nov 14 it had obtained intelligence that Islamic State militants were targeting the United States within its borders.