Unprecedented Cooperation to Deter Targeted Attacks

CBS national security contributor Samantha Vinograd, a former DHS assistant secretary for counterterrorism, outlined the current homeland threat picture and how authorities are responding. The Department of Homeland Security judges that a large-scale physical attack on the United States is unlikely, but it warns that Iran could pursue smaller, targeted physical strikes and cyber operations. Vinograd emphasized that these kinds of threats are credible because the Iranian regime has long invested in surrogate networks here and abroad. Those networks have been used in past efforts to target government officials, dissidents, members of the Jewish community, and others. She said federal, state, and local authorities routinely maintain active investigations into Iranian-backed criminal and terrorism-related activity, and the risk of those networks being tapped for retaliation rises amid recent high-profile violence and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. That heightened risk, she added, is driving what she called unprecedented cooperation across all levels of government and likely with the private sector as well. Agencies are increasing information sharing, intelligence collection and analysis, and visible deterrence measures such as more patrols and law enforcement presence. Asked how imminent or credible threats against the Jewish community, U.S. government personnel, and the military are, Vinograd cautioned that Iran has come close before and remains a sophisticated actor. She discouraged categorical statements that there is no credible or imminent threat, because situations can change rapidly. Her practical advice: members of the public should stay alert and report suspicious activity, and individuals and organizations should maintain good cyber hygiene—be cautious with emails, links, and files during this heightened period.