Three acts of ideologically inspired violence in the past week in the United States have laid bare the heightened terrorism threat unfolding against the backdrop of the war with Iran. In New York City, two men who federal authorities say were inspired by Islamic State brought powerful homemade bombs to a far-right protest outside the mayoral mansion. A naturalised citizen from Lebanon rammed his vehicle into a synagogue in Michigan, where he was shot at by security before he shot himself dead. The violence has also put a focus on a counter-terrorism system strained by the widespread departures of experienced national security professionals at the FBI and Justice Department. Regardless, wars like the one in Iran can function as “accelerants”, raising the volume and intensity of grievances for the disaffected, Ms Moravec said.
