This chapter describes the results of an analysis of 150 completed and foiled terrorist plots
against the United States from 1995 to 2012 to better understand the true nature of the terrorist
threat faced by the United States. The findings focus on the types of terrorist ideologies and
motivations most represented, the magnitude of attacks, how plots are most often thwarted and
by whom, and the missed clues in successful attacks. Overall, the United States has been more
successful at thwarting terrorist plots in the years since 9/11 than compared to the 6 years prior.
From 1995 to 2012, plots by Al Qaeda and affiliated related movements (AQAM) constituted
almost 40% of all plots. White Supremacist-related and Militia/Anti-Government–related plots
combined accounted for about another 40%, with the remaining plots due to a variety of
motivations.
