Twenty-five years after the September 11, 2001 attacks, which marked a turning point in the history of international terrorism, the jihadist threat has profoundly transformed. The current scenario is characterized by a fragmentation and decentralization that make surveillance and prevention significantly more complex than they were at the beginning of the 21st century.
Al-Qaeda, which in 2001 possessed a centralized structure capable of planning and executing sophisticated attacks such as those on the World Trade Center, has lost much of its original organization. Its projection capacity has decreased considerably over the last two and a half decades.
The Islamic State, which reached its peak when it controlled extensive territories in Iraq and Syria, also no longer maintains that territorial dominance. Despite the loss of territory, both groups maintain the capacity to exert influence through branches and franchises in different regions of the world.
The Sahel has emerged as one of the main epicenters of contemporary jihadism. The region, which spans countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has become a priority focus of extremist activity, partially replacing the traditional conflict zones of the Middle East.
