"Terrorism has changed," said Devorah Margolin, senior fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Plane hijackings, such as the Sept. 11 attacks, have become less common, she said, while "these low- to medium-impact or low- to medium-cost [vehicle-based] attacks are kind of more popularized." She notes that this shift highlights a trend where individual acts of violence are increasingly facilitated by the accessibility of vehicles, making it easier for potential attackers to execute their plans.
Margolin said such vehicle-based attacks "require less communication between a central organization and individuals, and therefore less risk." This evolution in terrorist methodologies underscores a strategic adaptation that leverages readily available resources, emphasizing that potential attackers no longer need sophisticated weaponry or extensive planning to carry out their intentions.
In an unclassified document from 2010, Department of Homeland Security officials warned that vehicle-ramming gives terrorists who lack access to or expertise in explosives or other weapons an opportunity to carry out an attack. Margolin argues that this has only become more relevant as the landscape of security has evolved, making it critical to re-evaluate protective measures to address these growing threats.
"Soft targets, such as areas in which civilians are enjoying themselves, are obviously easier targets because you can just drive right through," she said. This sobering acknowledgment shifts focus toward the vulnerability of public spaces, highlighting the need for heightened awareness and preventive strategies to protect against such spontaneous and violent acts that can occur in everyday settings.
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