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Note: This archive of CRS reports is no longer actively maintained.
For new and updated reports, see the public website of the Congressional Research Service.

Congressional Research Service Reports
on Terrorism

• The Terrorist Watchlist, CRS In Focus, May 20, 2024
• The Islamic State, CRS In Focus, updated May 6, 2024
• Al Qaeda: Background, Current Status, and U.S. Policy, CRS In Focus, updated May 6, 2024
• Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), CRS In Focus, updated February 8, 2024
• Understanding and Conceptualizing Domestic Terrorism: Issues for Congress, December 29, 2023
• Terrorist Financing: Hamas and Cryptocurrency Fundraising, CRS In Focus, updated November 27, 2023
• Justice for United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act: Eligibility and Funding, CRS In Focus, updated April 11, 2023
• Al Qaeda Leader Zawahiri Killed in U.S. Drone Strike in Afghanistan, CRS Insight, August 3, 2022
• Sifting Domestic Terrorism from Domestic Violent Extremism and Hate Crime, CRS Insight, updated June 1, 2022
• Terrorism Risk Insurance: Overview and Issue Analysis, March 8, 2022
• The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), CRS In Focus, updated February 10, 2022
• Domestic Terrorism: Overview of Federal Criminal Law and Constitutional Issues, July 2, 2021
• State Sponsors of Acts of International Terrorism--Legislative Parameters: In Brief, updated May 4, 2021
• Terrorism in Europe, CRS In Focus, updated February 10, 2021
• Domestic Terrorism and the Attack on the U.S. Capitol, CRS Insight, January 13, 2021
• Are Antifa Members Domestic Terrorists? Background on Antifa and Federal Classification of Their Actions, CRS In Focus, updated June 9, 2020
• Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, CRS In Focus, updated February 14, 2020
• Terrorism Risk Insurance: Overview and Issue Analysis for the 116th Congress, updated December 27, 2019
• Domestic Terrorism: Some Considerations, CRS Legal Sidebar, August 12, 2019
• Terrorism, Violent Extremism, and the Internet: Free Speech Considerations, May 6, 2019
• The Trump Administration's National Strategy for Counterterrorism: Overview and Comparison to the Prior Administration, CRS Insight, January 29, 2019
• Material Support for Terrorism Is Not Always an "Act of International Terrorism," Second Circuit Holds, CRS Legal Sidebar, March 5, 2018
• Domestic Terrorism: An Overview, August 21, 2017
• European Security and Islamist Terrorism, CRS Insight, June 8, 2017
• Stafford Act Assistance and Acts of Terrorism, June 7, 2017
• Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Related Groups, CRS In Focus, March 20, 2017
• Latin America: Terrorism Issues, December 15, 2016
• The Terrorist Screening Database and Preventing Terrorist Travel, November 7, 2016
• The Advocacy of Terrorism on the Internet: Freedom of Speech Issues and the Material Support Statutes, September 8, 2016
• Federal Assistance for Victims of Terrorism or Mass Violence: In Brief, August 3, 2016
• Stafford Act Assistance and Acts of Terrorism, CRS Insight, June 21, 2016
• Orlando Nightclub Mass Shooting: Gun Checks and Terrorist Watchlists, CRS Insight, June 16, 2016
• The Islamic State's Acolytes and the Challenges They Pose to U.S. Law Enforcement, June 13, 2016
• Mass Shootings and Terrorism: CRS Products, June 13, 2016
• France: Efforts to Counter Islamist Terrorism and Radicalization, CRS Insight, November 18, 2015
• Legal Tools to Deter Travel by Suspected Terrorists: A Brief Primer, CRS Legal Sidebar, November 16, 2015
• Can Creditors Enforce Terrorism Judgments Against Cuba?, CRS Legal Sidebar, September 29, 2015
• Terrorism Victims Sue to Enjoin Sanctions Relief under the Iran Nuclear Agreement, CRS Legal Sidebar, August 27, 2015
• Islamic State Financing and U.S. Policy Approaches, April 10, 2015
• U.S. Citizens Kidnapped by the Islamic State, CRS Insights, February 13, 2015
• Post-9/11 Evolution of the United States' Defining of the Terrorist Threat from Al Qaeda, CRS Insights, January 20, 2015
• Terrorism Risk Insurance Legislation in the 114th Congress: Issue Summary and Side-by-Side Analysis, January 20, 2015
• Terrorism Risk Insurance Legislation: Issue Summary and Side-by-Side Analysis, December 11, 2014
• Anti-Terrorist/Anti-Money Laundering Information-Sharing by Financial Institutions under FINCEN's Regulations, CRS Legal Sidebar, December 10, 2014
• American Foreign Fighters and the Islamic State: Broad Challenges for Federal Law Enforcement, CRS Insights, September 19, 2014
• Domestic Terrorism Appears to Be Reemerging as a Priority at the Department of Justice, CRS Insights, August 15, 2014
• Protecting Civilian Flights from Missiles, CRS Insights, July 28, 2014
• Possible Missile Attack on Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, CRS Insights, July 28, 2014
• Terrorism Risk Insurance: Issue Analysis and Overview of Current Program, July 23, 2014
• CRS Insights: The Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund (CTPF) Proposal: Questions for Congress, July 14, 2014
• The Project BioShield Act: Issues for the 113th Congress, June 18, 2014
• U.S.-EU Cooperation Against Terrorism, December 1, 2014
• Terrorism and Transnational Crime: Foreign Policy Issues for Congress, June 11, 2013 (2010 edition)
• Terrorist Watch List Screening and Background Checks for Firearms, May 1, 2013
• The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Terrorism Investigations, April 24, 2013
• Terrorism, Miranda, and Related Matters, April 24, 2013
• Ricin: Technical Background and Potential Role in Terrorism, April 17, 2013
• American Jihadist Terrorism: Combating a Complex Threat, January 23, 2013
• The Domestic Terrorist Threat: Background and Issues for Congress, January 17, 2013
• The Project BioShield Act: Issues for the 112th Congress, October 26, 2012
• The Financial Action Task Force: An Overview, May 9, 2012
• Project BioShield: Authorities, Appropriations, Acquisitions, and Issues for Congress, May 27, 2011
• Osama bin Laden's Death: Implications and Considerations, May 5, 2011
• Terrorist Use of the Internet: Information Operations in Cyberspace, March 8, 2011
• Federal Efforts to Address the Threat of Bioterrorism: Selected Issues for Congress, February 8, 2011
• Al Qaeda and Affiliates: Historical Perspective, Global Presence, and Implications for U.S. Policy, January 25, 2011
• Terrorism and Security Issues Facing the Water Infrastructure Sector, December 15, 2010
• Countering Terrorism in East Africa: The U.S. Response, November 3, 2010
• U.S.-China Counterterrorism Cooperation: Issues for U.S. Policy, July 15, 2010
• Terrorist Attacks on Commercial Airlines: Federal Criminal Prohibitions, January 22, 2010
• The National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility: Issues for Congress, December 14, 2009
• Terrorism in Southeast Asia, October 16, 2009
• Project BioShield: Purposes and Authorities, updated July 6, 2009
• Oversight of High-Containment Biological Laboratories: Issues for Congress, May 4, 2009
• Terrorist Attacks in Mumbai, India, and Implications for U.S. Interests, December 19, 2008
• Iraq and Al Qaeda, updated August 15, 2008
• Suits Against Terrorist States By Victims of Terrorism, updated August 8, 2008
• Botnets, Cybercrime, and Cyberterrorism: Vulnerabilities and Policy Issues for Congress, updated January 29, 2008
• National Strategy for Combating Terrorism: Background and Issues for Congress, November 1, 2007
• Saudi Arabia: Terrorist Financing Issues, updated September 14, 2007
• Nuclear Power Plants: Vulnerability to Terrorist Attack, updated August 8, 2007
• Al Qaeda: Statements and Evolving Ideology, updated July 9, 2007
• Project BioShield: Appropriations, Acquisitions, and Policy Implementation Issues for Congress, updated June 11, 2007
• Terrorist Precursor Crimes: Issues and Options for Congress, May 24, 2007
• Trends in Terrorism: 2006, updated March 12, 2007
• Combating Terrorism: The Challenge of Measuring Effectiveness, updated March 12, 2007
• Agroterrorism: Threats and Preparedness, updated March 12, 2007
• Abu Sayyaf: Target of Philippine-U.S. Anti-Terrorism Cooperation, updated January 24, 2007
• Treatment of "Battlefield Detainees" in the War on Terrorism, updated January 23, 2007
• Terrorist Capabilities for Cyberattack: Overview and Policy Issues, updated January 22, 2007
• International Terrorism: Threat, Policy, and Response, updated January 3, 2007
• "Terrorism" and Related Terms in Statute and Regulation: Selected Language, updated December 5, 2006
• Bioterrorism Countermeasure Development: Issues in Patents and Homeland Security, updated November 27, 2006
• Federal Counter-Terrorism Training: Issues for Congressional Oversight, August 31, 2006
• Material Support of Terrorists and Foreign Terrorist Organizations: Sunset Amendments in Brief, updated March 17, 2006
• Terrorism and National Security: Issues and Trends, updated March 9, 2006
• Homeland Security: Protecting Airliners from Terrorist Missiles, updated February 16, 2006
• Nuclear Terrorism: A Brief Review of Threats and Responses, updated February 10, 2006
• Al Qaeda: Profile and Threat Assessment, August 17, 2005
• Material Support of Terrorists and Foreign Terrorist Organizations: Sunset Amendments, August 11, 2005
• Terrorist Financing: U.S. Agency Efforts and Inter-Agency Coordination, August 3, 2005
• Islamist Extremism in Europe, July 29, 2005
• Islamic Terrorism and the Balkans, July 26, 2005
• Terrorist Screening and Brady Background Checks for Firearms, July 25, 2005
• Lawsuits Against State Supporters of Terrorism: An Overview, updated May 27, 2005
• Terrorism: Some Legal Restrictions on Military Assistance to Domestic Authorities Following a Terrorist Attack, updated May 27, 2005
• Cuba and the State Sponsors of Terrorism List, updated May 13, 2005
• Terrorism Risk Insurance: An Overview, updated April 11, 2005
• Terrorist Financing: The 9/11 Commission Recommendation, updated February 25, 2005
• Removing Terrorist Sanctuaries: The 9/11 Commission Recommendations and U.S. Policy, updated February 11, 2005
• Nuclear Terrorism: A Brief Review of Threats and Responses, updated February 10, 2005
• Terrorism in Southeast Asia, updated February 7, 2005
• U.S. Anti-Terror Strategy and the 9/11 Commission Report, updated February 4, 2005
• Terrorist Nuclear Attacks on Seaports: Threat and Response, updated January 24, 2005
• Immigration: S Visas for Criminal and Terrorist Informants, updated January 19, 2005
• The Department of Defense Rules for Military Commissions: Analysis of Procedural Rules and Comparison with Proposed Legislation and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, updated January 18, 2005
• Terrorism and the Law of War: Trying Terrorists as War Criminals Before Military Commissions, December 11, 2001
• Terrorist Attacks and National Emergencies Act Declarations, updated January 7, 2005
• Germany's Role in Fighting Terrorism: Implications for U.S. Policy, December 27, 2004
• Terrorism in South Asia, updated December 13, 2004
• Port and Maritime Security: Potential for Terrorist Nuclear Attack Using Oil Tankers, December 7, 2004
• Terrorism: Background on Chemical, Biological, and Toxin Weapons and Options for Lessening Their Impact, December 1, 2004
• Safeguarding Federal Elections from Possible Terrorist Attack: Issues and Options for Congress, October 27, 2004
• Federal Responses to International Conflict and Terrorism: Property Rights Issues, October 6, 2004
• The Supreme Court 2003 Term: Summary and Analysis of Opinions Related to Detainees in the War on Terrorism, July 12, 2004
• The Department of State's Patterns of Global Terrorism Report: Trends, State Sponsors, and Related Issues, June 1, 2004
• Small-scale Terrorist Attacks Using Chemical and Biological Agents: An Assessment Framework and Preliminary Comparisons, May 20, 2004 (updated, June 23, 2004)
  • Errata to CRS Report on Small-scale Terrorist Attacks by George Smith, GlobalSecurity.org, June 17, 2004
  • Comments on CRS Report on Small-scale Terrorist Attacks by Milton Leitenberg, University of Maryland, June 15, 2004
• Greece: Threat of Terrorism and Security at the Olympics, April 30, 2004
• Terrorist Identification, Screening, and Tracking Under Homeland Security Presidential Directive 6, April 21, 2004
• Illicit Drugs and the Terrorist Threat: Causal Links and Implications for Domestic Drug Control Policy, updated April 20, 2004
• Chemical Plant Security, updated February 14, 2005
• Terrorist Attacks by Al Qaeda pre- and post-9/11, staff memo, March 31, 2004
• Foreign Terrorist Organizations, February 6, 2004
• The BioWatch Program: Detection of Bioterrorism, November 19, 2003
• Terrorist "Dirty Bombs": A Brief Primer, updated October 29, 2003
• Terrorist Motivations for Chemical and Biological Weapons Use: Placing the Threat in Context, March 23, 2003
• International Terrorism in South Asia, November 3, 2003
• The "FTO List" and Congress: Sanctioning Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations, October 21, 2003
• Computer Attack and Cyber Terrorism: Vulnerabilities and Policy Issues for Congress, October 17, 2003
• High-Threat Chemical Agents: Characteristics, Effects, and Policy Implications, updated September 9, 2003
• Terrorists and Suicide Attacks, August 28, 2003
• Terrorism and Security Issues Facing the Water Infrastructure Sector, May 21, 2003
• Al Qaeda after the Iraq Conflict, May 23, 2003
• Intelligence to Counter Terrorism: Issues for Congress, May 27, 2003
• Abu Sayyaf: Target of Philippine-U.S. Anti-Terrorism Cooperation, January 25, 2002
• Indonesian Separatist Movement in Aceh, updated September 25, 2002
• Terrorism: Near Eastern Groups and State Sponsors, 2002, February 13, 2002
• Terrorism: Automated Lookout Systems and Border Security Options and Issues, June 18, 2001
• Terrorism and the Military's Role in Domestic Crisis Management, April 19, 2001
• Terrorism, the Future, and U.S. Foreign Policy, updated April 11, 2003
• Hamas: The Organizations, Goals and Tactics of a Militant Palestinian Organization