This is from the FBI.gov http://www.fbi.gov/publications/strategicplan/stategicplantext.htm
The global Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) threat to the United States and its interests is expected to increase significantly in the near term. We expect terrorists to exploit criminal organizations to develop and procure WMD capabilities. Globalization will make it easier to transfer both WMD materiel and expertise throughout the world. The basic science and technologies necessary to produce WMD will be increasingly well understood. Similarly, raw materials will be more available and easier to obtain.
Violence by domestic terrorists will continue to present a threat to the United States over the next five years. The number of traditional left wing terrorist groups, typically advocating the overthrow of the U.S. Government because of the perceived growth of capitalism and imperialism, have diminished in recent years. However, new groups have emerged that may pose an increasing threat. Right wing extremists, espousing anti-government or racist sentiment, will pose a threat because of their continuing collection of weapons and explosives coupled with their propensity for violence. The most significant domestic terrorism threat over the next five years will be the lone actor, or “lone wolf” terrorist.
Cyber Forecast: Cyber threats confronting the United States emerge from two distinct areas: (1) traditional criminal activity that has migrated to the Internet, such as fraud, identity theft, child pornography, and trade secret theft; and (2) Internet facilitated activity, such as terrorist attacks, foreign intelligence threats, and criminal intrusions into public and private networks for disruption or theft. The vulnerability of the United States to such activity is rapidly escalating as its economy and critical infrastructures become increasingly reliant on interdependent computer networks and the World Wide Web.
Federal Bureau of Investigation Strategic Plan 2004-2009.
The most significant domestic terrorism threat over the next five years will continue to be the “lone wolf” terrorist.
… Right wing domestic terrorism groups will continue to target law enforcement officials and minority groups. Militias will primarily disrupt the personal and financial lives of their targets (government workers and elected officials) by misuse of property claims or liens against personal assets. White supremacists, traditionally the most violent right wing group, have strengthened their recruiting and rhetoric since 9/11.
As left wing terrorism groups regenerate over the next five years, they will again pose a threat to economic and law enforcement targets. Violent protests against the perceived effects of trade globalization on human rights, labor rights, and the environment will continue and likely escalate. Recent examples of left wing “ anarchist movement” activity include large-scale, destructive protests at World
Trade Organization and International Monetary Fund meetings. Special-interest extremism incidents have increased over the last several years and will continue to be problematic, primarily in the violent fringes of animal rights and other social movements. Research laboratories, pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies, and organizations that monitor or lobby against animal rights/“eco-terrorist” groups will be potential victims.
… The danger of the convergence of terrorism and traditional crime presents obvious and acute dangers. Fortunately, the USA PATRIOT Act enables the FBI and its Intelligence Community partners to address all aspects of the threats posed by terrorist organizations by using both information and the tools of intelligence and criminal investigators to maximize the impact on terrorist organizations and their supporters.
Federal Bureau of Investigation Strategic Plan 2004-2009.
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