The Third Wave of Global Terrorism Begins
In recent months, the world has witnessed a series of terrorist attacks, particularly in the United States and Europe, signaling the emergence of a new wave of global terrorism. This troubling development aligns with warnings issued by Dr. Yousef, President of ICGER, more than a year ago during a panel discussion titled “Takfir and Terrorism: Diagnosis and Roots.” The event, held on December 1, 2023, at the Mövenpick Hotel in Beirut, highlighted the historical and ideological roots of terrorism while proposing solutions to combat it. At the time, Dr. Yousef cautioned that the upcoming “third wave of global terrorism” would be deadlier and more terrifying than the previous ones.
A String of Devastating Attacks
The first day of 2025 witnessed a horrific attack in New Orleans, Louisiana, where a truck bearing the ISIS flag and carrying explosive devices plowed through a crowd of New Year’s Eve revelers on Bourbon Street. The attack claimed the lives of 15 people and injured dozens more. Authorities are investigating the incident as an “act of terrorism.”[i] President Joe Biden confirmed that the assailant had released a video prior to the attack, stating his inspiration came from ISIS.[ii] Investigations revealed that explosives were being manufactured at a rented apartment in New Orleans, potentially linked to the attack. Investigators with the FBI believe that the attacker did not act alone.[iii] The authorities are investigating “people of interest” related to the attack that killed 15.[iv]
Meanwhile, on the same day, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, killing one person and injuring seven others. Authorities are investigating potential connections between this incident and the New Orleans attack.[v]
In New York City, a mass shooting at a nightclub in Queens injured at least 11 people on the evening of January 1, 2025.[vi] Earlier, on December 20, 2024, a vehicular attack in a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, left five dead and over 200 injured. German authorities identified the suspect as a Saudi national residing in Germany since 2006.[vii]
Echoes of Dr. Yousef’s Warning
These incidents underscore the reality of the “third wave” of terrorism, which Dr. Yousef described in his 2023 lecture. He predicted a resurgence of violent Islamist groups across regions including the Middle East, North Africa, the Sahel, and even the Atlantic coastline, with a spillover into Europe and the United States. He warned that this wave would be more destructive than the previous two waves, which included the aftermath of 9/11 (2001–2008) and the rise of extremist groups between 2013 and 2018.
Dr. Yousef emphasized the need for vigilance and proactive measures, stating, “The evidence is clear: the second wave of terrorist operations was bloodier than the first, and the third wave will surpass them both in violence and terror.” (The link for to the related research paper: An Archaeology of the Rise of Takfir in Islamic History)
A Call to Action
Dr. Yousef has consistently sounded the alarm about the global threat posed by extremist groups, urging governments and institutions to address this menace in a comprehensive rather than a piecemeal manner. As the world grapples with these alarming developments, his warnings serve as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead and the necessity for concerted international efforts to counter the rising tide of terrorism.
[i] https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/new-orleans-vehicle-ramming-1.7421357
[ii] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/new-orleans-bourbon-street-car-crash-latest-casualties-news-b2672408.html
[iii] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crl378x8nnjo
[iv] https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/live-updates-15-dead-new-orleans-attack-fbi-says-driver-wasnt-acting-a-rcna185955
[v] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/new-orleans-truck-attack-jabbar-live-updates-b2672794.html
[vi] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/multiple-people-injured-shooting-new-york-city-nightclub-nypd-detective-says-2025-01-02/
[vii] https://abcnews.go.com/International/germany-christmas-market-attack-latest-us-shocked-incident/story?id=117011586