The United States is facing increasing difficulties in addressing international terrorism, as experts warn that a combination of shifting priorities, staff departures, and a sense of complacency is weakening the nation's defenses. This week marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, which were orchestrated by al-Qaida under Osama bin Laden and resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths. These attacks sparked a long period of global conflict, instability, and radicalization in the Middle East and beyond. While the U.S. has not faced an attack on a similar scale since, experts caution that the threat, though less visible, has evolved and remains significant. Bruce Hoffman, a leading terrorism expert at Georgetown University, has noted that the U.S. counter-terrorism framework established after 9/11 is gradually falling apart due to budget cuts, loss of experienced personnel, and a reduced focus on terrorism as a national security priority. He warns that this shift is recreating the conditions that existed before 9/11, when under-resourcing and institutional neglect left the country vulnerable. Meanwhile, the nature of the threat has changed—extremist Islamist groups are still a concern, but new challenges, such as right-wing extremism, are also emerging. Some analysts argue that the lack of major attacks by al-Qaida in recent years may reflect either a lack of ambition on their part or a strategic decision to wait for the right moment. A recent United Nations report highlighted that the group's leadership remains marginalized, and its intent to conduct external operations is unclear. Colin Clarke, from the Soufan Center, pointed out that the intelligence community is dealing with a range of issues, including funding cuts, staffing challenges, and a general sense of fatigue after two decades of the global war on terror. The Trump administration's shift in focus from counter-terrorism to strategic competition with powers like Russia and China has further complicated matters. Critics argue that the administration's counter-terrorism strategy, released in 2021, downplays the growing threat of right-wing extremism and instead emphasizes the fight against left-wing violence, drug cartels, and gangs. This approach has drawn criticism for being politically motivated rather than based on the actual threat landscape. Intelligence experts warn that the U.S. now has limited resources and must be more strategic in how they are allocated, as the threat environment has become more complex and diverse.