State Department Country Reports on Terrorism: 2001–2021

State Department Country Reports on Terrorism: 2001–2021

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Updated July 21, 2023
State Department Country Reports on Terrorism: 2001–2021
Overview
supported by the University of Maryland’s National
By April 30 of each year, 22 U.S.C §2656f requires the
Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to
Secretary of State to provide Congress an annual country
Terrorism, which collected and provided data from its
report on terrorism. The report must contain “detailed
unclassified Global Terrorism Database. Starting with 2018
assessments with respect to each foreign country in which
Country Reports, the State Department contracted with the
acts of international terrorism occurred, which were, in the
Development Services Group Inc. This firm, in
opinion of the Secretary, of major significance.”
collaboration with the Terrorism, Transnational Crime and
Corruption Center at George Mason University, now
The State Department issued the most recent Country
provides support in the forms of “data collection, analysis,
Reports on Terrorism, discussing 2021 trends, on February
creation of a global database of terrorist incidents,
27, 2023. While the Country Reports do not generally speak
production of the annex of statistical information, and
to the effectiveness of U.S. counterterrorism strategies,
editing of the Country Reports on Terrorism.” Thus, over
policies, or operations, they are required by law to include
the past 20 years, data collection, associated methodologies,
• an examination of foreign counterterrorism efforts;
and analytic processes associated with preparing the reports
•
have differed. This may make assessing historical trends,
any judicial responses of foreign countries regarding
comparisons, and findings of terrorist threats and attacks
terrorism affecting American citizens or facilities;
challenging (see the text box).
• a list of countries that support terrorist groups;
• an assessment of countries in which terrorists operate,
Factors That May Affect Reporting of
including actions taken by those governments;
Historical Trends
•
•

How to define a terrorist attack, col ect data, use
a report on terrorism-related deaths, injuries, and
methodologies, and apply the analytic framework.
kidnappings;
•
How to weight different types of attacks; are fewer
• a strategy for addressing terrorist sanctuaries; and
attacks with more fatalities weighted more than more
•
attacks with fewer fatalities?
an analysis of international terrorism trends.
•
How the increasing widespread use of the internet and
The Country Reports include an Annex of Statistical
social media over the past two decades has led to
Information prepared by a State Department contractor (see
greater awareness of terrorist attacks that may not have
the “Data Collection” section, below). The Annex includes
been previously reported.
“violent acts” that meet the following criteria:
• the act was aimed at attaining a political, economic,
20 Years of Terrorist Attacks
religious, or social goal;
The trends discussed below begin with the year 2001.
•
Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001,
the act demonstrated evidence of an intention to coerce,
Congress enacted new reporting requirements. The
intimidate, or convey some other message to a larger
Intelligence Reform and Terrorist Prevention Act of 2004
audience (or audiences) other than the immediate
(P.L. 108-458) mandated assessments of countries with
victims; and
territory being used as terrorist “sanctuary,” and the
• the act was conducted outside the precepts of
Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (P.L.
International Humanitarian Law insofar as it targeted
108-487) required a report on terrorist groups that possess
noncombatants.
or are attempting to obtain weapons of mass destruction
(WMD).
The Annex defines casualties as “people killed and injured”
but does not specify the criteria used to determine whether
2001–2003
casualties directly resulted from terrorist attacks. Casualty
Data for 2001 reflect many casualties from the September
figures include perpetrator(s), when applicable.
11, 2001, attacks in the United States. Over the next two
Data Collection
years, attacks and casualties decreased. The 2002 Country
Reports cited a decline in bombings of U.S.-protected oil
Although the Annual Country Reports’ original statutory
pipelines in Colombia as an example of what the State
requirements have not changed, the organizations
Department assessed was a decrease in anti-U.S. attacks. In
responsible for preparing the Country Reports have
2003, the State Department reported a low of 1,900
changed. From 2001 to 2004, data collection to support the
terrorism-related casualties.
Country Reports’ findings was the responsibility of the
State Department’s Coordinator for Counterterrorism. The
National Counterterrorism Center assumed analytic
responsibility after it was established in 2004. It was
https://crsreports.congress.gov

State Department Country Reports on Terrorism: 2001–2021
2004–2006
2017–2021
The period between 2004 and 2006, characterized by heavy
In 2017, the State Department assessed that “the terrorist
fighting and increased violence in Iraq and Afghanistan,
landscape grew more complex…. ISIS, al-Qa’ida, and their
was associated with a steep increase in terrorism-related
affiliates have proven to be resilient, determined, and
casualties. During this time, many viewed Al Qaeda (AQ)
adaptable, and they have adjusted to heightened
as a primary threat to international security. According to
counterterrorism pressure in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan,
the State Department, after suffering losses in 2003, AQ
Libya, Somalia, Yemen, and elsewhere.” In 2018, the
focused on spreading its ideology to other countries and
Country Reports noted that “the United States and its
establishing affiliate groups. In doing so, AQ transitioned to
partners made major strides to defeat and degrade
“guerilla terrorism” and used propaganda to brand itself as
international terrorist organizations in 2018,” while also
a sort of “global insurgency,” according to the State
stating, “despite these successes, the terrorist landscape
Department. The 2005 Country Reports indicated an
remained complex … as ISIS lost almost all its physical
increase in suicide bombings, of which a “marked increase”
territory, the group proved its ability to adapt, especially
occurred in Afghanistan, and a concentration of terrorist
through its efforts to inspire or direct followers online.” The
attacks in Iraq (30% of worldwide attacks). In 2006, the
Country Reports 2019 assessment used similar language,
State Department noted that AQ’s misinformation and
noting that “the United States and our partners made major
propaganda efforts “accelerated” through its focus on
strides to defeat and degrade international terrorist
“propaganda warfare.”
organizations,” while acknowledging that “[d]espite these
successes, dangerous terrorist threats persisted around the
2007–2011
world.” A statement accompanying the release of the 2020
In 2007, the State Department reported a then-record high
Country Reports subsequently addressed these findings
of 66,995 terrorism-related casualties worldwide. Trends in
when on December 16, 2021, the State Department’s
2007 included continued AQ activity, including its “guerilla
Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism stated that the
terrorism” strategy and affiliations with regional groups.
Annex “shows that both the number of terrorist attacks and
That year, nearly 43% and 13% of attacks occurred in Iraq
the overall number of fatalities each increased by more than
and Afghanistan, respectively. After 2007, attacks followed
10 percent in 2020 as compared to 2019.” The most
a general downward trend and casualties dropped each year
recently published Country Reports, discussing the trends
until 2012. The 2008 Country Reports stated that Al Qaeda
of 2021, found that “the terrorist threats we face are more
“remained the greatest terrorist threat to the United States
ideologically diverse and geographically diffuse than ever
and its partners,” and the Country Reports for 2009 and
before” and that “the United States is entering a new era of
2010 noted the continued challenge of Al Qaeda activity
counterterrorism, one increasingly rooted in diplomacy,
and safe havens in Pakistan. In 2011, the State Department
partner capacity building, and prevention.”
reported the operational weakening of Al Qaeda in Pakistan
and the death of several senior leaders, including Osama bin
Potential Questions Facing Congress
Laden.
In light of the 2021 Country Reports’ assessment that
“counterterrorism efforts require use of the full range of
2012–2016
counterterrorism tools and a whole-of government and
From 2012 to 2014, terrorism-related attacks and casualties
whole-of-society counterterrorism approach,” Congress
increased. During this time, the Islamic State (IS) expanded
may consider the following questions in considering how to
under the direction of its designated caliph Abu Bakr al-
use the Country Reports.
Baghdadi. The Nigerian terrorist organization Boko Haram
•
operated using “brutal tactics,” including stoning and
Given the State Department’s assessments in recent
Country Reports, are U.S. policies effective in reducing
kidnapping, according to the State Department. In 2014, the
the global counterterrorism threat?
State Department reported over 67,500 casualties, the
highest in the 16-year period. Trends in 2014 included
• What metrics has the executive branch developed to
continued Boko Haram activity, instability in Syria, the
assess effectiveness? Have those metrics changed over
Islamic State’s seizure of territory in Iraq and Syria, and the
time? If so, how and why?
continued flow of foreign fighters travelling to join IS. In
• How are the findings contained in the Country Reports
2014, the United States began Operation Inherent Resolve
tied to U.S. counterterrorism policies and priorities?
to combat the Islamic State and formed the Global
Coalition to Counter ISIS with international partners.
• Are the Country Reports meeting the needs of Congress
to assess the current and historical terrorism threat
In 2015 and 2016, terrorism-related attacks and casualties
environment?
declined. The 2015 Country Reports cited a weakening of
AQ leadership and a loss of territory controlled by IS. In the
• Given the diversity of terrorist threat actors emanating
2016 Country Reports, released in July 2017, the State
from various parts of the world, how is the United States
Department reported a recapture of IS-controlled territory
reallocating resources to support the development of the
and a decrease in foreign fighters travelling to join IS,
Country Reports and related counterterrorism policies.
which led to a reduction in the group’s battlefield strength.
That year, IS remained “the most potent terrorist threat to
John W. Rollins, Specialist in Terrorism and National
global security” with its “central” social media recruitment
Security
campaign, according to the 2016 Country Reports.
IF10710
https://crsreports.congress.gov

State Department Country Reports on Terrorism: 2001–2021

Disclaimer
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