By suzanne downing 
The National Counterterrorism Center issued a nationwide advisory on Friday, warning that al-Qaida and its Yemen-based affiliate, al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, continue to pose a serious threat to the United States.
According to the memo, the groups remain intent on striking American targets, citing US military involvement in global conflicts as a rallying point to inspire attacks. The advisory memo noted that al-Qaida and AQAP are leveraging their media platforms and current wars overseas to radicalize individuals and motivate them to carry out violence.
The NCTC urged government personnel to increase their vigilance, including avoiding public discussion of travel plans, refraining from wearing work-related identification outside of the office, and watching for signs of possible surveillance. The memo encouraged local authorities to heighten security around “soft targets” such as concerts and sporting events, with recommendations that include visible law enforcement presence and pre-event security briefings.
The memo was issued in advance of the high-profile memorial for assassinated civil rights leader Charlie Kirk, where security is at unprecedented levels and one arrest has already been made.
The purpose of the advisory is to ensure that law enforcement agencies across the country have the latest intelligence and tools to disrupt potential attacks.
The NCTC, established in 2004 after recommendations from the 9/11 Commission, plays a central role in coordinating America’s counterterrorism strategy. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, the agency operates under the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and works closely with the FBI, CIA, and Department of Homeland Security. Its responsibilities include analyzing threats, sharing intelligence with federal and local partners, and issuing alerts like the one distributed this week.
The memo reflects the persistence of the al-Qaida network more than two decades after the September 11 attacks, warning that fundamentally fascistic ideology and intent to target the United States remain active despite years of counterterrorism pressure.
SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR 
Suzanne Downing